Fellow DK Supporters: Where do we make our stand?

[book_worm]

Where do we have to place in Iowa to get any attention? I think the media will be looking at the top three: Clinton, Edwards and Obama to see who comes in where. I think among the second tier candidates it's important that DK come in first, or at least fourth in the caucuses. He also needs I think double digit support. I think he needs to do better than Richardson, Biden, Gravel and Dodd. If he does that he will have some bragging rights.

Now where do we put our limited resources after that? I feel an insurgent candidate like DK does better in the caucus system because 1) turnout isn't as strong and 2) true believers tend to come out--no matter what. If DK can make a decent showing in the Nevada caucus on 1/19--that could give him a boost going into NH on 1/22.

Will DK win NH? No, probably not. But again it's all about the expectation game. Remember Gene McCarthy didn't beat LBJ in NH in '68 and George McGovern didn't beat Ed Muskie there in '72--but there strong showings propelled them. Now among the top three candidates (Hillary, Edwards and Obama) if one or two of them are damaged by the time of NH--where will there supporters go? For instance, Edwards is counting highly on Iowa, if he loses it could hurt his momentum--it may even drive him from the race. So we need to do better than expected in both Iowa and Nevada so that DK is somebody Edwards supporters might consider. I think it's important that DK come in no worse than third in NH.

So where do we draw the line in the sand? Where does DK get a victory? Feb 5 is "Super Tuesday"--I think it is important that if DK is to be taken seriously that he gets a victory in one or two of those contests on that day. Where do I think our best shots are?
1) The Caucus in Minnesota and
2) The caucus in Alaska
3) The caucus in Colorado

Then the following week we need to do well in the Washington caucus. And then on 2/10 go for the gold in the Maine caucus.

I know we want to be a national campaign and we are in a sense, but with our meager resources it's important, too, that we pick our targets and work all out to do as well as we can in these states:
Iowa
Nevada
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Colorado
Alaska
Colorado
Maine

We need a couple of victories from that list as well. We also, I think, need to get some bunches of delegates and come in a strong third or fourth in states like Illinois, New Jersey, California and New York.

Finally, the Ohio primary is 3/4 if DK can come out of the early contests with some good showings and even a couple of victories in states like Minnesota, Maine and Colorado--and go into his homestate with some bragging rights--I think he can make a contest out of it. If DK doesn't do well in Ohio, his homestate, then he should reconsider his run, but if he comes in stronger than expected then it's all steam ahead.

This is just my view of the political landscape and where I think our best opportunities are and how the campaign should best use it's resources.

[cyclezealot]

1. As A Mich. Dem. for Kucinich.

We have just been given a vacation. Michigan Democrats are not allowed to participate. And Kucinich bailed on us. Hillary is the only one on our ballot. might as well take a vacation to Florida. The Mich GOP primary will be in full gear. Maybe we should vote Ron Paul. He is more anti war than Hillary. At least he will visit our state. Can't vote for Kucinich. He's not participating in our selection process. First time Kucinich has disappointed us.

[TahitiNut]

2. Michigan's SoS said Kucinich didn't meet the deadline for removal from the ballot

... since his campaign failed to provide a required form/statement by the candidate. At this point, it seems the Democratic Primary in Michigan will be between Clinton, Dodd, Kucinich, and Gravel.

Of course, we can stay tuned for further developments ... but that's the last I heard.

[cyclezealot]

3. If Dennis wants us we will be there for him.

If not , we have nothing left to do.