Re Kerry's choice for VP, I really think it is quite unfair and not productive to refer to Edwards as our own Dan Qualye. A closer look at the two would reveal significant differences between the two and to characterize Edwards in this way will only play into Bush/Cheney hands on this matter. Of course, for those supporting Nader or some other non-Kerry, this may be the approach to take. But as a Deaniac who believes the highest priority is to replace Bush/Cheney, I will not engage in this kind of belittling of the Democratic VP nominee.

David Loebsack
Mt. Vernon

OK, I removed it. You should have seen what I was going to write if Kerry had picked Gephardt! I suppose this means you don't want me to belittle Kerry, either. Fall in line. Fall in line!!!!!

Linda,

My only point is that I don't see what useful purpose might be served by jumping all over the VP pick, especially this early in the process. I would only hope that we Democrats and Greens or whatever would publicly allow some kind of grace period before we resume any pressure we might try to bring to bear on the process.

However, that does not mean that we should not continue to press for a platform that, for instance, is more adamant about removing our troops from Iraq than the current version would have it.

At any rate, as always, thanks for maintaining this venue for comments from folks on the issues.

David

David
I'm not a Deaniac but ended up in the Dean camp at caucus. I agree their is no comparison between Edwards and Qualye. The Two America's theme from the primairy resonates I am much more optimistic about this tickets chances in the fall, given we have an election not tampered with by junta now in charge.

mark
carlisle, iowa

Linda
I dont think I would have taken to bed with a headache if Gephardt had been the pick, however, it would have taken a bunch of shots of Jack Daniels to numb the brain. If you feel the need to challenge Kerry on specific issues I say go for it. I'm STILL PO'd about both their war votes. I will not allow that to prevent me from getting rid of this junta. That has to be the priority whether I like it or not.

mark
carlisle, iowa

David--Well, I'll concede a grace period on the Edwards thing. Is a day and a half long enough? I'm joking with you here. I'm sure by tomorrow, no one will even be discussing it.

Mark--Yes, I would much rather have had a VP candidate like Bob Graham who did not vote for the war.

It's a fine line that we anti-war folk walk. But to be told that we are doing Bush/Cheney's work for them by legitimately questioning Kerry (and I don't mean the Quayle remark--that was tongue in cheek) is really no different from being accused of being unpatriotic when we question Bush and the war in Iraq. It has the same discourse-stifling effect.

I hope that we progressives will be able to each find his or her own way to work against the junta, even if it is not directly coming out in favor of Kerry.

OK Linda I'm a little slow on the tongue in cheek, didnt hear the tone of voice. :o)
Actually picking Edwards is a little tough for me. He is the first national candidate I will like as not vote for who is younger than me. :o)

mark
carlisle, iowa

Did I forget to mention that Edwards was a co-author of the Patriot Act? Civil liberties, schmivil liberties. Oh, shoot. And I promised a full day and a half grace period. Some people just never learn! ;-)

As I think most of us know, Edwards shifted from the center to the center left of the Democratic Party while running for the nomination (of course, so did our own Howard). It will be interesting to see whether he stays on the populist course or moves in a rightward direction to try to counter the liberal Massachusetts label placed on Kerry.

David in Mt. Vernon

Excuse me while I yawn...Is the election over yet? A Kerry/Edwards ticket is already putting me to sleep...

Just reflecting upon the fact that I organized the Larew/Harkin fundraiser in Iowa City at which Edwards made his debut, in August 2003. At that event, Edwards preached the necessity to go take out Saddam Hussein and his WMD. He sounded more than a 'leetle' hawkish!

I remember feeling rather ill to my stomach, suddenly, to hear this man pushing for war. I was then sorry that I had organized the event. After all, if I had not organized that event, perhaps it wouldn't have been held, and Edwards wouldn't have had gained a foothold...and maybe Harkin wouldn't have voted to give Bush the power to go to war.

That was before I became hooked on Howard Dean, of course, a week or so later at Julie Thomas event. Then I kicked myself even harder. Perhaps, had I not had that Edwards event (to which I invited scads of Iowa City physicians & attorneys), more community leaders would have embraced Howard Dean, instead!

Ah, the guilt of it all...20/20 hindsight, I suppose.

I keep trying to put a Kerry bumper sticker on the car. I keep pulling it off again. [I like my Dean and Obama stickers...I feel no inclination to remove them!] Kerry's looks so out of place with my peace stickers!

Will I feel more motivated to tack on a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker? Am not sure. To me, K-E is synonymous with 'DLC'.

Hearing Edwards described today by Judy Barr Topinka (R-IL state treasurer) as a "liberal" made me laugh until my belly hurt. Is there a Good Doctor in the house??? I need help coping with all of this!

If Dean is okay with this combination, I'll go along for the ride, but it will be like pulling eyeteeth. But only if Dean, and we, stand to get something good out of all of this!

-- Dawn

(formerly of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids)

Now, having said that...

...GO KERRY/EDWARDS! KICK SOME GWB/DC BUTT BACK TO TEXAS & WYOMING!

Here is, perhaps, a (sort of) pro-Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker that you might be able to get behind. Demetrius of People-powered Graphics whipped it up today:

http://www.cafeshops.com/deangfx.12142149

I haven't had this good a laugh in ages!

ROFLMAO! In the military its called damning with faint praise. Usually a kiss of death for an officer performance report. Us enlisted swine are of no import. LOL

mark
carlisle, iowa

Well, it is exciting to see these comments on our blog!
I think there is room to continue working for progressive issues and maybe if no direct "K-E" bumperstickers, maybe some anti B-C, or maybe some "vote Democractic" generics.
I like the idea of the Obama stickers, too!
I'm interested in ideas on the issue of "peace" and the Democractic platform...suggestions? How do we keep the Peace Initiative on the radar screen?

Bev
I am frugal enough to wait for a free Kerry/Edwards bumpersticker. :o)
As I watch current events I keep getting this feeling of having seen all this before. The continued deployment of our kids in Iraq and Afghanistan will keep Peace issues in the mix. I just hope that it does not take as long as it did in Vietnam. I like the Veterans for Peace action where they display combat boots to represent individuals killed in this damn mess. Push Kerry/Edwards to allow pictures of the coffins coming home. I guess the short answer is visuals. What could be used for civilians killed in this lunacy? How do we go about reminding each other about our humanity? You may want to contact the American Friends Service in Iowa. I was involved through them in some of the demonstrations in Des Moines. Sorry Im rambling again.

mark
carlisle, iowa

I have a nice Kerry/Edwards design I did today that you can print on iron on t-shirt transfers or even card stock for simple window signs. Two versions one with a rainbow background and the other red, white and blue. Email me at DLewis001@aol.com and specify which one. They are currently in CCR format, but I can send them as jpg if you don't have access to Corel.

Boy, when Darrell says he has a nice design, it is really an understatement. I've posted the two designs in PDF format on the right sidebar of Blog for Iowa for folks to download. Gorgeous, Darrell!