I am scared out of my mind about Kerry in Ohio

[dsc]

Today I spent the day canvasing for Americans Coming Together in the Slavic Village section of Cleveland. Despite it's name this is a largely African American area of Cleveland. Admittedly this is a very small sample that I dealt with. But it was totally chosen at random from within the ward. Everyone hated Bush, but virtually no one really liked Kerry. The people that I talked to will, if they vote, vote for Kerry. It is the if they vote part which is the problem. To win Ohio, Kerry will have to replicate Gore's showing in Cleveland with it's high turnout. I really hope I had a bad batch here. I really really do.

I know that we have several months to go. But so far this is down right frightening. These canvasings won't help much with drumming up support for Kerry due to us not being permitted to pitch him. He will need to have his own workers for that.

I know many of you will take this as the ramblings of a Dean supporter. But before you start yelling at me, you should know that I spent from 9am to 5pm either driving to the rally for ACT (around 1 hour each way), at the rally for ACT, canvassing in the Slavic Village area, or driving home. This canvassing only helped Kerry and Fingerhut to the extent that it would help anyone for whom I can vote. In short, I almost certainly did as much for Kerry today as anyone who will respond to this post. Kerry needs to fix this it is as simple as that.

[qwertyMike]

1. Problem is that Kerry

has the personality and charisma of a damp rag.

As did Gore.

Bush is set up for the taking, but who's gonna take him? He'll probably be re-elected by default.

Yawn

[still_one]

4. Wrong!

that is another thing the right wing media wants you to believe that Kerry is dull, it is a LIE!!!

In addition, bush can't even form a sentence without a million uhs and ohs

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

57. You're right.

He's Mr. Excitement!






/cheap shot

[dolstein]

66. Wrong!

Sorry, but I have watched Kerry on C-Span and on television shows and he's even worse than Al Gore. Just because YOU like Kerry doesn't mean other people will. I'll vote for him. Just don't ask me to like him.

The fact is, the Democrats COULD have nominated a candidate that was charismatic, articulate and just downright likable. That person was John Edwards. Instead, Democrats nominated John Kerry. Of course we'll make do with the bad hand we've dealt ourselves, but I have absolutely no patience for people who are trying to convince me that Kerry's inability to speak like a normal human being and his elitist background is someone my fault or the press's fault.

[zonmoy]

88. So why didn't they

could they actually have leadership that has rigged the system to make them lose.

[AP]

36. In a random selection of voters, less than half will vote, and if 1/3rd

of them are passionate about Kerry, that's good.

At this point you're tying to identify the strong supporters. From that point, you will spend the next 6 months tracking them and making sure they get to the polls.

As you get closer to November, you'll find that more and more people become passionate, and you'll add their names to your list of people whose V you wil GO.

Don't get discouraged grasshoper. It's only May and America isn't like DU.

[LiberalBushFan]

99. less than one half of voters vote?

well, we must get more voters to vote.

[spotbird]

2. Kerry isn't connecting, you are right about that.

So many Democrats I know are voting for him, and will work for him, because he is ABB. That's a fantastic reason of coarse but it would be nice if there were more to it than that.

What's the deal?

[Hokie]

6. OK I am going to rant

Screw connecting! Screw the media! Why can't this be about ideas? Why can't this be about beliefs? Why do why have to use such bullshit words like "connecting"? You are playing right into the right wing, asshole media's hands when you get caught up into personalizing this. Their constant line is "Bush is an idiot but he is a regular, likable fellow." No he isn't. He is an asshole who has the wrong beliefs, the wrong ideas, the wrong talents, a lack of intelligence, and no capacity for leadership. Kerry has the intelligence, the right ideas, and the capacity to lead. That is something Bush will never have.

[spotbird]

7. I know I'm going to get slaughtered here.

First, Kerry's Ideas aren't coming across either. His position on the war is nebulous to most, and as the war becomes more unpopular that will be increasingly more important. The whole issue package isn't coming across.

Second, you can wish there was a level playing field, but it just ain't going to happen. It is the USA in 2004 that Kerry has to win in, not some la-la land where people decide on logic, issues and reason. We know the truth about Bush, but that and $3.25 will buy you a latte at Starbucks. There is an old joke that if a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its ass so much. When frogs grow wings public perceptions won't matter.

Since likability is what it will take to win it just has to be improved.

[blondeatlast]

28. And it's an uphill battle--the media has found a pet weak spot (even

if it shouldn't be) and they are too lazy to work on anything else.

a few years ago, Ii would have thought the media would love a good, quality, tough, campaign with a challenger with a chance of defeating the incumbent.

No more--that would mean they would actually have to LOOK FOR the news, not have their daily hand feedings from the Administration.

We may be doomed--literally.

[Hippo_Tron]

38. The key is that Bush is associated with the war

I think at this point Kerry kinda fucked himself over by supporting the war in the first place. At the time, being against the war meant supporting Saadam Hussein and he had no idea that, that opinion would change. I know that we all want Kerry to apologize for the IWR and to say that he will pull the troops out ASAP but I trust that Kerry knows what he is doing and will prevail in the end. He's an experienced campaigner who's won tough elections before.

[NutritionFacts]

50. BS

"being against the war meant supporting Saadam Hussein"

Where did you get this from? Being against the war did NOT mean "supporting Saddam". That was right wing BS from likes of Coulter et al. It has no basis in reality, nor has it ever had any.

"He's an experienced campaigner who's won tough elections before."

This is not a tough election. This is the worst president in history that has set him self up for the fall already. All Kerry has to do is push. He should be polling 70% consistently at this point. He's not and that's a problem.

[Hippo_Tron]

60. The problem is that the rest of the country doesn't think like us...

Both of those statements would be true, if the country hadn't been brainwashed by the Republican propaganda machine. Don't you remember late 2002 and early 2003. People were convinced that Saadam Hussein had a nuclear weapon that he was going to sell to Al Quaeda. Opposing the war meant supporting Saadam Hussein because that's how the Republicans played it out to be. And if the rest of the country knew what we knew, Kerry would be polling at 90%. But the rest of the country thinks that Bush "protects them" and is a good "wartime president". They don't know about PNAC, LIHOP, or any of that.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

59. -snip-

...and as the war becomes more unpopular that will be increasingly more important.

[LWolf]

9. It is about ideas and beliefs.

That's the point. Many democrats are voting for Kerry because he is not Bush; because they want to defeat GWB's ideas and beliefs. Not because they think Kerry has the right ideas.

Kerry is certainly more intelligent than Bush. He is, and will be, a better leader than Bush. He has better ideas than Bush.

But he doesn't have the ideas that generate enthusiasm among voters. Or, his campaign isn't "connecting" voters with those ideas. Or both.

I liked Kerry more when he was one of 8 or 9 or 10 possibilities. Now that he is "the one," the closer I look at what he is saying and planning, the more dismayed I am. Yes, he's better than Bush and he will have my vote. But I don't like his ideas. They are contrary to mine in many respects. I am not happy about being stuck with ideas I don't agree with in order to remove America from the grasp of George W. Bush.

I don't get my perceptions from the media; I don't watch tv, or pay much attention to mainstream media at all. I get my perception from reading his website and transcripts of his speeches.

[NutritionFacts]

51. I agree

A lot of a dems are ABB. Unfortunately you can't convince the majority of the electorate to vote for someone when they ask "Why should I vote for this person?" by saying "Because he's anybody besides the other person!"

This is really why ABB is a bad idea IMO. Instead of saying you are ABB you should say "I am voteing for Kerry because of <insert X logical reason here>"

The vast majority of the people I have talked to don't like Bush (and this is in TEXAS!), BUT the two major re-occurring reasons they say they won't vote for kerry is 1. They don't feel he offers real solutions to problems. (i.e. just saying X needs to be done, or they feel he attacks bush too much). For some reason dems can win down here IF they don't attack the repubs. Yea, you're thinking WTF? It's a double standard, but that tends to be how it works. They also feel 2. They don't feel secure on knowing where he stands. I had one person tell me he felt like he could go to his web site, look at his positions, and click refresh to watch them change.

I think part of the reason for the above is that the media is controlled by the right. Unofortunately I fear they are being kind to Kerry in comparison to what they probably have lined up for a month or two before the election.

[LWolf]

55. For whatever reason,

many potential voters are dissatisfied with Kerry. They don't hate him; they plan to vote for him, or "will probably" vote for him. But they don't strongly connect to anything he is offering, either.

Not that there aren't many reasons to give him a vote; but his platform, IMO, could be better. I've never felt secure about where he stands. I'm told it is because he is campaigning to the center to capture moderate and swing votes. That may be, I don't know.

I do know that he needs to address this before things kick into high gear this summer.

I can tell people I'm voting for Kerry because I think he'll nominate better choices to the supreme court. As long as I'm not talking to a teacher, this is a good talking point. It's really hard for teachers to get past his support of high-stakes testing.

[blondeatlast]

26. We all understand the feeling, but John Q Public doesn't care about

ideas. JQ cares about his pocketbook, his job, his nephew in Iraghistan, and whichever candidate makes him feel best about himself.

Kerry is a decent fellow, but we have to fight the media, who has found their "pet" bone to pick on. They are far too effing lazy to look for ideas.

I appreciate the thought, though.

[fudge stripe cookays]

81. Remind ANYONE concerned about the pocketbook

that Kerry plans on tying up the tax loopholes that get our jobs shipped overseas. Bush has no such ideas.

I would think that alone would cause folks to think a little bit more about their decision.

For each potential convert I meet, I think about which ONE issue I could tell them about that will make the MOST difference.

1. Ask them how religious they are. Most of the folks I know-- not very. I scare the crap out of them with the theocracy angle.
2. Ask them how successful a democracy can be when one party owns ALL positions (presidency, house, senate, supreme court). That makes them nervous.
3. Ask them how important their job is. Tell them Bush LOVES CEOs who want to send their jobs overseas.

[Larkspur]

94. All elections are about leadership qualities, not issues

A leader has to be able to communicate his ideas and vision to the public or his/her voting constintuency. Conveying that message is an important part of being a leader. In the Primaries Kerry conveyed that his military service and 19 years in the senate qualified him for President, while his henchmen trashed Dean. The majority of Dem voters bought Kerry's military service as the quality they thought would defeat Bush, even if they preferred another candidate's -- Dean or Edwards -- position on issues.

Personally, I don't see Kerry as a leader I'd follow. I'll vote for him in November because he's the lesser of two evils, but he doesn't inspire me to work or donate to his campaign. Others are inspired by him, for whatever reason -- ABB or in love with a fantasy "liberal Kerry."

[Ninga]

3. Hold on a minute.

According to the Ohio State Dem Party newsletter, 250,000 MORE people voted in the Dem primary than did in 2000.

Just think about that. 250,000 MORE people than in the 2000 primary. That is heady stuff. It is too early to start wringing our hands, lets wait until after the convention.

[dsc]

5. Our primary was in May then

and March now. Of course we had more people vote in our primary this time since it actually mattered.

[blondeatlast]

29. As much as I hate to hand that to the Dean and his supporters, I will.

I despised Dean, still do, pretty much, but he fired up the party like it's needed to be for decades.

His supporters will bring our party back where it should be--but it's gonna take some time.

[Hippo_Tron]

40. Umm Kerry won the primary there...

Not to knock Dean cause he's a great guy but I don't think he's the reason that there was so much primary turnout.

[NutritionFacts]

53. If you ask me it was Diebolded

or infiltrated by repubs.

Lieberman getting up in the double digits? Has anyone even met a Lieberman supporter? If he was getting double digits he should have some supporters. But where are they? I don't know a single one from any dem meeting, get together, or convention I have been to. Though I can say I've met a TON of Kucinich supporters. Interesting how that works out... I meet tons of the most liberal candidates (that gets around 2%) supporters here in TEXAS (a conservative hell hole), yet the most conservative guy in the race with a generally higher percentage supporters are no where to be found.

Hell, I've never even seen anyone claim to be a Liberman supporter on a dem web site.

So this means to me that the primaries were probably either Diebolded or infiltrated by repubs trying to get us the weakest candidate. It's probably repubs considering they've been known to do it before, and it's not exactly like they had an important primary of their own to vote in.

Kerry beating all odds at the last minute was pretty incredible too. Though I suspect that maybe Clark, Dean, and others split the vote.

[spotbird]

83. Lieberman's support may have been no more than name recognition.

nt

[IndianaGreen]

8. Kerry has written off Indiana

Never mind that Bush was only 6 points ahead of Kerry back in January, which is very close for the GOP in this state. I wonder what the spread is now?

Never mind that our state ticket is strong and is being led by war hero and former POW Governor Joe Kernan.

Never mind that Kernan's opponent is Mitch Daniels and that he needs Bush and Cheney to come here because he trails Kernan in the polls.

[MilDem]

10. How much did Gore lose Indiana by? (nt)

[strategery blunder]

20. 15.6 percentage points

Go here to get results for any state.

[strategery blunder]

31. Posted wrong link, sorry

The correct link

[IndianaGreen]

39. Like I said, Kerry was only 6 points behind Bush back in January

before all of the scandals about Iraq and the torture pictures.

Gore may have lost Indiana, but we elected a Democratic Governor, Frank O'Bannon, and we elected a Democratic Mayor for the state's capital. Gore lost Indiana because he was weaker than our Hoosier Democratic candidates!

If you Kerry people want to ignore Indiana, and our very strong ticket led by Governor Kernan, go right ahead! Just don't come crying about coming up short in the Electoral College, and blaming Nader or the Greens.

A ham sandwich should be beating Bush by 20 or more points right now!

[Mattforclark]

42. Yeah

"A ham sandwich should be beating Bush by 20 or more points right now!"

But not in Indiana.

[MilDem]

91. If you show me more than one poll

Taken months ago, I might believe you. One poll by itself is meaningless, but if you could show a trend than I'd take notice.

I think Gov. Kernan is a great guy, but I'd rather not waste money and resources on a state that is unwinnable in anything but a huge nation-wide landslide. It may be cynical to say that, but that's how elections need to be run.

Remember, state party showings don't always reflect national party strength in any one state. The Mississippi Democratic party is quite strong, but national candidates stand zero chance there.

[Mattforclark]

41. Bush was up by 15 in the latest Indiana poll

http://www.imaweb.com/BellwetherPoll.pdf

March 22-24th, with 600 likely voters and a MOE of 4.

[NMDemDist2]

11. I canvassed today too dsc

in a poor Latino neighborhood in central Phoenix. People don't know much about Kerry yet was my impression. When I told them about his health care plan and his energy plan they started to perk up. These are people who don't own computers and get their news from broadcast TV. They all were upset about the war and jobs and weren't happy with Bush at all

I think my point is that Kerry is just starting to define his ideas and people are basing their opinions on fuzzy "he's a Mass Liberal" or "he's for big taxes" I got the feeling they were hoping to hear something else--they WANTED to get enthused and when I gave them a reason they started to.

The most interesting thing was all the USA born Hispanics I spoke to named immigration as their biggest issue (after jobs). They didn't want amnesty, they wanted Mexican nationals to earn their citizenship or stay home. I was surprised at the passion they expressed on this issue.

Hope you had better weather than we did, by the time we got back to the hall it was 102 ! :)

[dsc]

13. It was our best day for quite some time

Not too warm and not too cold. Who did you canvas for? We were told we couldn't really pitch Kerry due to the tax exempt status. I used education as my issue as I was in a neighborhood where my Cleveland school teaching experience helped. Thus if funding came up I tried to link that to Iraq but I didn't really talk up Kerry as much as talk down Bush's policies.

[NMDemDist2]

15. I was real careful on that too

yes due to the tax status of PlannedParenthood/MoveOn.org/ACT

But they didn't make us take our Kerry buttons off :) And if the nice people asked me I'd drop a nugget then bash Bush. Mostly we listened to their issues and concerns

[Leilani]

47. That is a really good point!

Look at the election in California. Gray Davis agreed with giving licenses to illegals, & that was the biggest issue, besides the budget problems.

Schwartzeneger came out against the licenses & won the Latino vote.

People who are here legally really resent amnesties & other goodies.

This could be a winning issue, however Dems & Repubs are outbidding each other to win the Latino vote.

[NutritionFacts]

54. Hmmm

Since this is a consistent point (people not knowing much about Kerry) maybe Kerry shouldn't depend on the TV/radio media so much. Instead of putting a couple million in a TV/radio ad, put that money in comprehensive information packets (not just a one page slogan thing, but a real comprehensive packet) and physically mail them to tons of people.

Simple choice really. Depend on FAUX et al to get the message out, or depend on the USPS. Clear choice.

[cmd]

12. As the old lady sees it.........

Ohio is ours 60-40 without Nader, and it remains ours with Nader. We are the activists and we think differently from the average voter. We are ready for election day tomorrow. There still is over 185 days to go. The average voter will get to our point of fever in October.

Here is what we have to do until that time; educate ourselves and educate others. Use this time to familiarize yourself with Kerry's stand on issues. Start talking about the issues in public. Grab a like minded friend and go out to eat. Discuss Bush's failed policies in public, then follow up with Kerry's proposals.

Don't let Rove define Kerry. If someone says flip-flop - go right back with Bush is a flop. Be ready to recite Kerry's war record. Stay ahead of the opposition. Get involved with ACT or Move On or America Votes. Make a difference.

[Auntie Bush]

17. Good post! Gives me some thoughts

I'd rather vote for a Flipper than a Flopper
The Flipper vs. the Flopper.
Flip vs. Flop

[salonghorn70]

14. A Toast To dsc

For all the work he did for Kerry today.

:toast:

[NMDemDist2]

16. toast me too-dsc had perfect weather

i was pounding the streets in 100 degrees (check out my gallery pic for the "look" ROFL)

:toast: :beer:

[dsc]

18. that is impressive

I can't imagine that. That had to be so hot.

[NMDemDist2]

21. nah, we're desert rats we're used to it

This pic was taken after I walked my precinct last month (today I wore silk shorts tho instead of the heavy cotton skirt)

Drank almost a gallon of water in the 2.5 hours

[dsc]

22. I would have died

I don't do well in heat. They always say desert heat is dry and thus not so bad. My reply is that kilns are dry heat too and I don't want to live in a kiln either.

[NMDemDist2]

23. you adapt or move

i love it here :)

[dsc]

24. admittedly in Jan or Feb

I start to wish I lived in a desert.

[zbdent]

25. Do the guys have to wear the skirt too?

Oh, brother.

[blondeatlast]

30. Navy??? In THIS weather? AZDem--I'm a fan!

And walking too--what area were you in?

Just curious--and I will be out there soon, I swear!

[dsc]

19. Thank you

I really appreciate that but it isn't about me or any other worker. I only mentioned the time, etc. due to the savage criticism that I have often got for saying anything about Kerry. I was glad to do it, and will likely do more but I am very scared we will lose Ohio if things don't shape up. But again, thanks.

[Rowdyboy]

27. Thank you both, dsc and az for what you did today....

You're doing the work for all of us and I appreciate it.

Don't let this get you down. Its still early, Bush can't break 50% after spending 60-70 million dollars. Kerry still narrowly leads most polls and has money in the bank.

No, Kerry is not a great candidate. Wes Clark was my man, then Edwards. But the party has spoken and I really think you're underestimating how powerful a campaigner he can be. He finishes every race strongly. Every one in creation was expecting Bill Weld to beat him in 1996 (?) and Kerry won easily.

He has the financial resources, he has the intellect, he has the resume. Can he close the deal against a good-ole-boy Texas phony? I don't know. I, too, am worried. But he's the absolute best shot we have right now, so try to stay s optimistic as possible.

I really expect this to be a breathtakingly close race. I don't know if my heart can stand it again.

[sandnsea]

32. Thank You!!!

We just have to keep talking and correcting wrong impressions, that's all. When you have half of DU with the totally wrong impression, it's not hard to understand why others have the wrong impression too.

[dsc]

33. One problem I see is that

we canvassers can't really bring Kerry's message to the people due to the legal restrictions on the groups doing it. This is one reason I have repeatedly harped on the lack of a Kerry infrastructure in Ohio. Only partisan groups can do that. I don't know where Gore was at this stage due to Ohio being a much lower priority then, than it is now. But, I suspect from the people I worked with at the time that Gore was doing much better then that Kerry is now. I hope that I am wrong here and that things are better than I honestly think them to be.

[Rowdyboy]

34. For Ohio to even be in play is outstanding

Remember, no Republican has ever been elected without carrying Ohio.

[dsc]

35. true

I am glad we are in play this time. I just hope we can pull this out. Our state is such a mess that we might well win here.

[genius]

37. Want Ohio? Pick Kucinich for VP

Kerry's not going to win by appealing to the conservatives or the DLC.

[Mattforclark]

43. He's not going to win by having Kucinich as VP either n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

44. I love Kucinich but America isn't ready to accept him on a national ticket

And I disagree with your assessment. Ohio will be won by conservatives who are pissed at Bush because the economy sucks.

[JayS]

45. Did you talk to any military people?

I'm curious about their attitude up there. Down this way it has not been very positive at all for Kerry among the military folks that I have talked to.

[dsc]

49. No vets

I was actually a little surprised that I didn't talk to any vets given the neighborhood but there weren't any in the people who I talked to.

[drfemoe]

46. Tax Exempt Status?

Which organization are you working for? Is that why you are not being permitted to "pitch him"?

I'm just confused by why you aren't allowed to do that. If it's due to an organization's tax status, which organization is it?

Is it due to lack of a formal Kerry organization in Ohio?

To find out what his message is likely to be, you might want to take a look at this article >>
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/05/09/a_kerry_message_starts_to_break_through/

[dsc]

48. We are one of those 527 groups

and thus are tax exempt. Hence we must be officially non partisan.

[drfemoe]

52. I guess my question is .

why not just work for *Kerry* in Ohio? You're not getting PAID by the 527, are you?

*please excuse my ignorance. I'm not familiar with all the regulations. I'm trying to learn something.

[dsc]

61. Kerry still has no headquarters in Ohio

He is apparently relying on these groups to do this work. I have several times asked both here and in Ohio for names etc. of where to volunteer to no avail. The 527 that I worked with on Saturday is a conglomeration of labor, gay rights groups, women's rights groups, civil rights groups, and some others. When you are working with one of those, you have to be officially non partisan.

[TruthWins]

56. Are you working with Kerry volunteers in Cleveland?

I am not an official Kerry person, but have been working with the local Kerry volunteers here in the Cleveland area since December. Are you part of this group? If not, I can direct you to the person who is coordinating Kerry events for the region. She is also a volunteer but is tied in to the real campaign people. There are many things going on with this group -- house parties, voter registration, visibilities at local events. It's become pretty well organized and things are happening even without the "official" Kerry people directing us.

As for your experience in Slavic Village, the attitude you received from the people you talked to is the exact reason you were in Slavic Village in the first place. Those are the people who are less likely to vote or have any passion for politics at all. By going to their doors you are making it just a bit more likely that they will become engaged and make the effort to vote on Election Day (provided that you were able to register those who hadn't registered before). They don't vote because they don't believe ANYONE in government is working in their interest. I don't think I'd pin it on a lack of enthusiasm for Kerry -- it's a lack of enthusiasm for politics.

By being there yesterday I'd say you made a subtle difference that you won't see the results of until November. Don't let it get you down. You are in perhaps the most important state in the country this year -- and in the most important area of the state for Kerry. Everything and anything you do could make a HUGE difference in the end.

[dsc]

64. I registered or changed the addresses of five voters yesterday

which was much better than the person doing the otherside of the street was able to do. But even those five were vastly more anti Bush than pro Kerry. I would love for you to pm the local Kerry people's contact info. Not only I, but several other former Dean supporters, have no idea who or where these people are.

[TruthWins]

78. Go to the Local Web Site

If you go to http://www.neohioforkerry.com you will find both a Volunteer Survey that you can fill out and the e-mail of the regional coordinator if you have questions. You can get involved very quickly in Kerry-specific activities.

[Cocoa]

58. you need a change of mindset

your perceptions of what the people said to you are certainly biased due to your feelings about Kerry.

Therefore, you shouldn't take the results as real indications of how Kerry is doing, so you shouldn't be scared.

What you should do is work on accepting the results of the primary.

[dsc]

62. That is utter bs

sorry but there is no other word for it. I worked like a dog yesterday for Kerry. I knew today I would be taken up entirely with family stuff. Thus I gave up the only day off I had this week for Kerry. BTW did you get up off your ass and work for Kerry yesterday or today? I reported exactly what they said to me. In point of fact I actually left out the worst encounter I had (a person who is voting for Bush). I am sick and god dammed tired of people like you calling me a liar.

[sadiesworld]

68. You seem to have such a problem with all of this.

If you are this unhappy with Kerry and feel so unappreciated, don't do it.

[dsc]

69. No my point is that his campaign needs to change

Maybe next time I see a kid crossing the street infront of a truck I will just walk on by. Afterall it might offend the kids mom if I correct the child's actions. I realize that for people like you no amount of work given gives the right to criticise the Christ like Kerry who is perfect in all respects. But, unlike many of you, I have a lot to lose this time around. My candidate lost. People like you told me Kerry is the most electable. Kerry will excite minorities. Kerry is perfect. Kerry knows how to run a campaign. Well, here in Ohio, a state his own campaign claims is the new Florida he is sucking wind and badly. That isn't my fault. It isn't Dean's fault. It isn't the media's fault. And BTW did you get up of your ass and do anything yesterday while you are bitching at me for not doing enough? I noticed in your post you pointedly avoided any mention of what you did. So again, why you are treating me like shit did you get off your ass?

[sadiesworld]

70. I supported Clark in the primaries. Please find the post

where I said that Kerry is "perfect in all respects" and the rest of the drivel that you have attributed to me.

Also, please point out where I said that you weren't doing enough. Actually, I indicated that you might be doing too much.

You also might want to reread my original post, look at your reply, and then decide who is being treated like shit here.

Oh and I wouldn't want to deny you the satisfaction: I did not work for the Kerry campaign yesterday. Does that help with your martyr complex?

Give it a rest, really.

[dsc]

71. So let me get this straight

You claim I have a crappy attitude in regards to Kerry and I worked for him yesterday while you didn't. Yet I am the one who is out of line. All righty then.

[sadiesworld]

72. And we could play this game every day until the election.

Then we could compare donations (I donated $50 more this a.m.). Then we could tally up the # of repugs we converted (possibly 2 for me yesterday). Then we could try to calculate the damage done by our anti-Kerry posts (well, I think you have me beat on this one).

Yes, I think your attitude re Kerry is crappy (although those are YOUR words). Furthermore, it is difficult for me to imagine that your visceral hatred (those are MY words) isn't being conveyed to those you meet.

We have a long way to go until the election. My advice is to take some time off and "heal" from Dean's loss.

[dsc]

73. Fine you win

Kerry is God and perfect. Oh by the way I don't have a star so you figure out my money situation. Hint: It sucks. If I had $50 to give, I might give it but I need every cent to pay for little things like food, shelter, gasoline, and utilities. I actually didnt' discuss Kerry due to the rules that govern 527 groups. If you don't know what they are, you might try look it up. But when Kerry loses due to the fact that people like you refuse to face facts don't blame me. He is running into traffic. I am trying to get him out. When he gets hit by the oncoming truck don't you dare blame me.

On edit Dolstein agrees with me on this (see his post on the thread) and he supported Edwards. So what is his problem?

[sadiesworld]

74. What is it with this "Kerry is God and perfect " shit?

It is telling that you must put words in my mouth in order to attempt to prove your point. I have been critical of Kerry, but I truly don't see the point in making a fucking career of it. Nor do I think he deserves the amount of criticism heaped on him by some DUers.

As to the 527 groups, I assume you also talk to friends and family about politics. I hope you are more supportive of Kerry's candidacy with them than you are here at DU.

As to your general, ongoing concern about the status of Kerry's organization in Ohio, I think a previous poster sent some info your way re grassroots organizing. Additionally, I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that Ohio will be a three ring circus by the end of the summer.

Finally, if you truly feel that your comments about Kerry are unrelated to Dean's loss, I suggest you take a look at some of your previous posts.

BTW, I don't care about Dolstein and I hope your financial situation improves.

edit for typo

[dsc]

77. I'll tell you this

If I had been canvassing for Dean and this happened I would be every bit as worried. I have already convinced my brother in law to vote for Kerry. My dad is firmly in Kerry's camp despite being very lukewarm. He was with Dean tied for my dad's last choice. I have discussed things with other people. Some success some failure. Incidently it wasn't like I did a terrific job with them in regards to Dean either. I want to win. I felt then, and feel now that Dean would have been our best candidate. But Kerry is our only nominee and he is running out in traffic. When I get the info I will contact this people and will foward that info to people who have asked me how to contact Kerry. As of a few minutes ago I don't have that info yet. I want Kerry to win sometimes we have to tell our friends what they need to hear not what they want to hear. Like it or not, we need to hear this. The evidence is quite clear that Kerry is in some trouble. It is reversible but he needs to reveerse it. Blaming Dean, the press, meteors from space, or anything else may be satifying but it isn't the truth nor will it help.

[sangh0]

85. And I'll tell you this dsc

You've been posting about how poor a campaign Kerry is running for about a week now, at least, and during that time, Bush*'s numbers have gone down.

Bush* has been in office for almost four years, and during that time he has had non-stop access to the media, who are eager to broadcast his every word. It's been a four year campaign for Bush*.

Meanwhile, Kerry is mostly unknown to most, and despite that, he's tied with Bush*. Your cries about the falling skies are premature. If you truly want to help the Kerry campaign, write them a letter, and talk to your local Dem officials. Complaining daily on DU isn't going to fix the problem, so I don't know why you insist on complaining daily on DU.

[dsc]

86. Bush's numbers have gone down

that and the ommission, due to it not occuring, of Kerry's numbers are going up is the problem in a nutshell. Please find the threads I started on today, Sunday the 9th of May, Friday the 7th of May, Thurdsay the 6th of May, Wednesday the 5th of May, or Saturday the 1st of May to name over half of the days this month on which I am sure there is no thread authored by me about Kerry. Put up or admit you are wrong when you said this:

"Complaining daily on DU isn't going to fix the problem, so I don't know why you insist on complaining daily on DU"

[sangh0]

89. Your obsessiveness proves my point

to name over half of the days this month on which I am sure there is no thread authored by me about Kerry

If that's only half of the days you didn't start a thread, then you've been starting a lot of threads. You can nitpick all you want, but that won't change the fact that Kerry is doing better than any recent Dem candidate has done at this point in the race, and BUsh* is sinking.

[dsc]

90. As you can see I have no star

I think have only posted threads on two days but I don't have a perfect memory. I didn't want you to search and find a thread I forgot so I only chose the days that I had a firm memory of what time I spent here. But I want a thread on any of those days or an admittence that you are telling stories you like. BTW 6 out of 10 is over half. My memory is that I have started four threads about Kerry since the middle of April (which is well over 20 days). In case you flunked 5th grade math that is 1 out of every four days.

[sangh0]

92. dsc, I'm not the only one who has noticed

your repeated posts about how badly Kerry is doing. However regular it is (or irregular), it's been enough for people to notice.

BTW, in another thread, a poster reports on a poll showing Kerry ahead of Bush*.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sangh0]

104. Here's a number that contradicts your complaints

about how poor a job Kerry's campaign is doing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x523159

There's also a USA Today poll which shows Kerry gaining in the last month, just as I said he did.

[Cocoa]

80. spare me

did you do all this work for Kerry, just for the right to continue bitching?

Don't you ever wonder WHY you want to keep bitching?

Change is good, dsc. Listen to Kerry with an open mind and CHANGE your opinion of him for the better. You might as well, he's the nominee, the primaries are over.

[dsc]

82. My opinon isn't the problem

I will vote for the man. It is the voter's opinons which matter. And every poll and every time I meet people here the result is the same. Lots of hatred of Bush very little love of Kerry.

[Padraig18]

63. Florida's not looking so hot, either

I just spent 3 days there on personal business. Even the people who HATE Bush aren't thrilled about Kerry, although they'll vote for him. he needs to work on his public persona BADLY.

[dsc]

65. you are just a bitter Dean supporter who needs to change his mindset

as per cocoa who probably did nothing yesterday as I walked for Kerry.

[Eurobabe]

67. Kudos to you for doing SOMETHING

anything, yesterday for ACT. You should be proud of yourself. Ohio is going to be huge this November, I have been working the relatives for months already.

-A fellow buckeye-by-birth

[MontecitoDem]

75. Rah Rah pep talk in order I think....

yesterday in Santa Barbara our Democratic Service Club (along with many other local progressive groups) held a forum for signing up folks to do voter registration, canvassing, GOTV etc. About 250 people came on a beautiful beach day. We signed up 189 volunteers. Our local Congresswoman, Lois Capps, spoke along with many others to fire up the troops. Is this happening in your community?

Lots of us aren't necessarily "inspired" by Kerry the way we might have been by other candidates, BUT this election is about a hell of a lot more than John Kerry's speaking style. Get inspired by his environmental record! Get inspired by the idea of a government where Democrats are in charge of the Senate, the House AND the White House! Of course it's ok to vent some of our fears about how Kerry is doing, but I hope we'll also talk about what we are doing and going to do to win.

Even if Kerry doesn't excite you, grassroots efforts on his behalf will! I promise.

[dsc]

76. I'm not the problem

I am out working for the reasons you state. But if the general public isn't excited then it won't vote. He needs a huge turnout from this area to win Ohio and unless this changes he won't be getting it. That is the problem.

[TruthWins]

79. neohioforkerry.com

Again, go to http://www.neohioforkerry.com if you want info on getting involved with Kerry supporters locally. Groups like ACT can only bash Bush, but there are pro-Kerry activities going on, in which you can drum up the enthusiasm for Kerry. Half the country doesn't vote regardless of who is running -- if you can change those numbers just a little in NE Ohio, you can help swing the election Kerry's way.

It's very motivating to me to be in maybe the most important area of the country in terms of being able to help Kerry win. The Democratic votes needed to win Ohio are here in Northern Ohio, we just have to get them to the polling places.

[MontecitoDem]

96. I know you arent the problem

My post wasn't to you DSC - it was a general message about the thread. Sorry if you are feeling attacked or something.

[nolabels]

84. Ohio is kind of a belweather state, is it not?

A lot of times they pick the correct nominee, but not always. Bushco has focused a lot of time of keeping this state in the red. You can bet they knew it was comming, but what are the other states that blue can win that slipped by last time?

Btw. did I say I hate the electorial college already yet?

Yours truly, Uniformed

[dsc]

87. Our best shots are Nevada, Arizona, and New Hampshire

along with the usually mentionsed Flordia and Ohio.

[nolabels]

95. Nevada I can see, Arizona is iffy, but New Hampshire?

I know little of New Hampshire but them two western states have been getting their butt kicked in by * energy policy for awhile now. Both seem to be having a influx of tortilla lovers and service workers in Unions or least wanting Unions (Arizona, right to work state). That would be nice if they did, us Californians could have company.

Some say Oregon could be in play also though. New Mexico seems to have gone blue for now, I hope they stay enchanted

Any way thanks for the update to what to look for :thumbsup:

Btw. pass the fajitas we got some fresh salsa

[fujiyama]

97. New Hampshire

went for Bush by less than one or two percent. It was one of two states where it can be claimed that Nader cost Gore the state (the other being FL).

Plus, it shares media markets with Boston. Some say that too could have an influence. Polls show the state either tied, or with a small lead for Kerry.

Unfortunately, Oregon is also in play. Outside of Portland the state is filled with right wing nuts. This is also a state where Nader could cause some problems. Gore barely won it -- by less than one percent.

NM, WI, and IA are also similar in that way -- barely won by Gore...

Nice thing about NM is that they voted for Richardson. I hope he helps deliver the state for Kerry.

[revcarol]

98. NM went for Gore only on the recount, squeaking by.

Two out of three Congressmen are repugs.One a DeLay wanna be oilman with gobs of funding, the other Heather Wilson who tries to parlay her military experience into some sort of greatness on "security?"(an amorphous term that plays well for wing-nuts.)

We need BIG HELP WITH MONEY!!Gobs of money going to repugs.Richardson can't push the state into the Blue. We, the people, have to do it.

In Ohio, at least you have Kucinich who will WORK HIS HEART OUT FOR KERRY. Poor people, labor, people without health insurance, minorities, the very people ACT acts with, these are the people Dennis will connect with.

[TruthWins]

100. Kucinich is not working his heart out for Kerry so far

It would be nice to see a little more Kucinich in NE Ohio rallying for Kerry, but his staying in the race makes him a non-entity here until after the convention. Kerry was just here & no Kucinich to rally the troops because Kucinich is still Kerry's "opponent."

Kucinich is my congressman & I am happy to vote for him, but I don't think his run is making one bit of a difference, while he could be helping Kerry locally in terms of fundraising and appearing at Kerry events.

[shivaji]

102. Kerry is the most boring pol, but I will vote for him because

he is a proven, progressive DEMOCRAT. I need no other reason.

Ofcourse my 1st & 2nd pref. were Dean & Edwards. Atleast
Edwards looks more and more like the VP choice and a very
good one.

[Name removed]

103. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[farmbo]

105. It Begins: Kerry's paid staffers began air-dropping into Ohio today...

I know because I'm putting one up at my house tomorrow night.

They're coming into Columbus for briefings then fanning out to a battleground city near you. Reportedly eight are coming in on the first wave.

Good hunting you Hell-hounds! Show no mercy!

[dsc]

106. Oh so they weren't already there

like some people said. Humm I wonder if I will get an apology. Not likely. But glad to see that is happening.