great comments Linda

In particular I think the remarks in the genre of "fall in line", etc are offensive. I just heard a Kerry supporter use it on camera while I was waiting my turn to be interviewed.

Having been rubbed a bit the wrong way. on camera I commented that this year has been difficult for some of us Iowa Dems, having worked so hard and so passionately for the candidate of our choice. Among the negatives I saw were two things....it would take time for us to "fall in line" enthusiastically behind the candidates selected; but as dedicated as we are to defeating the radical right we would do so.

My other concern is that most Iowa activists are seriously burned out after the hard fought caucuses and it was continuing to have impacts such as difficulty in recruiting volunteers and money right now; but again I was confident that too would change.

What most concerns me is that so many of the party regulars just don't get this. I have been in contact with the DNC and shared with them there continues to be a serious problem in Iowa that requires some pro-active healing efforts and that IDP seems to be ignorant of it. Interestingly enough, they were very receptive to my remarks and will be pursueing it.

You make some good points, Darrell. I'm glad to hear the IDP may be receptive. But, I really doubt that some of us will ever be enthusiastic supporters of the top of the Dem ticket. We may do everything in our power to GOTV, work for progressive candidates, etc., but enthusiasm for the top of the ticket will be hard to come by. Personally, I think that is because for the first time ever, we felt we had a candidate with real integrity. Now, I've noticed quite a few of these progressives who are running really seem to have that same kind of integrity that we admire so much in Dean. So that's got me pretty enthusiastic.

I think you're right. Our people are burnt out and need a break. When they come back, we'll be ready for them.

Hi all: My husband and I had an interesting conversation with an insurance agent today: I openly told him I went to NYC to march against the war (Oh, horrors, did I do such a nasty thing?) He's openly Republican, but hates Bush and confessed then that he was against the war, but thought Kerry was a worse choice...thinks he's "crooked"...couldn't articulate the basis for that perception...
I would imagine this is not an uncommon position among some Reps if they would even admit it out loud.
I keep wondering if there is any way to capture this vote?

Linda; I like that you have this section re: Kucinich and Dean synergy. I think that this is the only logical basis for an on-going blog after Nov. 2nd...if we want to continue to direct efforts to filling grassroots positions with progressives....anyway "logical" to my way of thinking...I'm interested in other perspectives and I am interested in talking about the long term view of the blog here and it's role in the Iowa political environment.
Linda, do you know anything about Fallon's group, 1000 Friends of Iowa? Maybe there's some synergy to be had with them...??
I plan to vote Democratic; I do not plan to be chastised into getting in line: the Iraq war, unnecessary spending, and the over-reaching sections of the Patriot Act are not issues I intend to support. I want to work for global peace, a global village, fair trade, women's health and rights. While I am ranting, I fail to see the reason for cutting off the ability of people to visit Cuba and for Cubans to come to America. If there is something we need to get over, in my book, this is sure one! All our policies do is continue to hurt families.

¡Buenas noches from Guatemala City, Guatemala!

Excellent post, Linda. I just finished reading What´s the Matter with Kansas, which tells how the Republicans have convinced working class people to vote against their economic interests by directing their anger about their decreasing standard of living towards the evil ¨liberals¨who are supposedly responsible for America´s moral failings. All this to distract from the real cause of the decline of the middle class, the corporations and unregulated capitalism. And the author doesn´t just blame the Republicans. Since Clinton´s disastrous policy of ¨triangulation¨the Democrats have abandoned the working class. So we now have 2 parties for the wealthy and business interests, and no one to represent the interests of ordinary Americans.

I think Howard Dean´s idea of returning the Democratic Party to its roots may be the only thing that can save our country from disaster. I think Kucinich supporters and, frankly, the Nader supporters are our natural allies.

¡Adios!

Alta Price

Linda-

Thank you so much for starting the dialogue!

I believe the Dean and Kucinich Campaigns are/were the two most aligned campaigns of the entire process. We did not agree 100% on the issues, however, we did/do agree on the need to build a Better America and working towards a Progressive Movement. We believe in our ideals and we stand true to our convictions.

Both Campaigns came to admire and follow their leader, or the candidate, but truly the message sent by each was the bell that rang loud and clear. Each message with it's own tone but no doubt when heard the Grassroots became alive and rose to the occasion with energy and passion that has been unsurpassed.

I believe both campaigns have had their share of disappointments but it is how we learn from these experiences and carry on which will set the pace for the future of the Progressive Movement.

The Progressive movement is not just about one candidate or one "right" idea. It is about the need for unity despite our differences, our egos and our desire for control or financial gain. It is about building a bond that is reinforced by the need to take back what we have lost over the past few administrations in addition to the faith that we are all in this together.

It will take time to rebuild the decades of apathy and discourse. The keys to our success are honesty, unity and perseverance. We need the rise above the current standards set before us, set new bars to work for and we need to speak up for all Americans that are oppressed regardless of their affiliations or differences.

Together we can make the difference and we will change the course of history. We have the power to make this all possible so long as we strive to find a way to pull us all together.

Thanks so much!

Spread the love!

Howdy All
I've watched Democrats attempt to get in line since the 1968 Chicago Convention. Unlike the Republicans who in fact get in line and march as a military formation. Democrats on the other hand seem to form into klans and kinda sorta mosey along. Some stay with the main cadre some move off on their own. Of the two I'll take the Democrats every time. My first disappointment with the Democrats was George McGovern for whom I cast my first presidential vote, after 18 year olds were given the right to vote. I considered it literally a life or death, I was on my way do field research for the DOD in Southeast Asia. That election shook me up quite a bit. I watched the party spirial down things always getting more Republican lite til it hit bottom in 2002 with the loss of the Senate. I think Democrats have hit bottom Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, Carol Mosley-Braun, Al Sharpaton have played an important role in allowing the Liberal wing of the party to gain their voice. Howard being the loudest took the most heat because of fear. I actually saw Howard as a moderate but only because of the DLC took the party too far to the right. We Liberal Democrats allowed that to happen. We Liberal Democrats have started the process to bring a balance back to our party this year. With all the excitement generated by Howard until the apt described murder/suicide in January. Since November 2002 a bunch of folk have gotten together to do something. Howard, Dennis, Moveon, you know the names of the players. We have attempted to change literally overnight the rightward tilt of our party that has been going on since 1972. We have come far but we have a looooong way to go. The DLC power brokers have had their cage rattled they will not give up the power they hold without a fight. What group holding power ever has? I think more importantly the corporate powers that be got a wake up call. Breaking that structure will make breaking the DLC look like childs play. You are absolutely right Linda if Kerry/Edwards wins in the fall we can take a small amount of credit for that. The problem is failure is not an option. For we who oppose this junta, I think it will become a literal life and death issue for us personally. If we loose in November, we loose our democracy.

mark
carlisle, iowa

Kerry/Edwards 2004

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