Some Democrats posits the very stupid idea that there is a specific idea that defines what a 'Democrat' really is. Anyone who doesn't measure up to their standard, like Clinton (Bush lite), is a fraud, and unworthy of our support. Thats not right. Unity does not require conformity. I don't think it is right to attack other Democrats because they don't look or act like someone else. We are a minority party, we can't afford to do that.
I am a Democrat. I am generally pro gun, am generally pro rights, I have a strong libertarian streak (and support gay partnership rights on that basis but not gay marriage) and I value balanced budgets, paying our bills with cash (not IOU's). For me, preserving the environment is as much about preserving the cathedrals of nature as it is pollution. I believe in stewardship, an idea some Democrats find uncomfortable. I believe that hunting and fishing are as much a part of my culture as the American constitution. I believe in the American spirit and the soul. I believe that America is truly great, and I trust that when the people speak they are saying something important. I value hard work, integrity and competance, and I respect that even when I disagree on the issues. I eat meat, and prefer bacon to vegetables. I believe that beer is a superior beverage to wine. I have never played golf in my life, and am not a big NASCAR fan. I respect people who live in trailer parks, most of the people I know are good, decent people. I am from a rural background, and culturally do not fit in well with the more city slicker types at times. I clearly don't measure up to the standard of an ideal Democrat that a lot of people try to foist on me.
I am also pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, anti-racism and in favor of social welfare, education and other issues. I have had friends who are black, hispanic, Chinese, German, Iranian, Vietnmese, Fillipino and many other ethnic groups. I support unions, farmers and working people. I am sick and tired of seeing people work their ass off only to fall further and further behind as Republican bankers and money men suck them dry. I am a Democrat.
Bill Clinton is the man! I know he had flaws, but he had my vote every time. I wish I could vote for him again. Some people are trying to decide what divides us from the Republicans. They want to turn our party into a bunch of clones who all believe the same thing. We need to accept that different people live in different ways, and that is what makes livng in the US of A great, and that even if we wanted to we can't change that. We need to deal wtih people as they are, not try to make them into some kind of imaginary rubber stamp of a Democrat. We should be asking ourselves what unites us, what do we have in common. That is what Democrats should be doing.
Clinton represents a huge swath of the people who carry this party forward in every election. These people are mostly quiet and live unglamorous lives, many are poor, many are minorities who don't respect snotty, preppie types telling them what to do, who don't like having their hair style mocked, their favorite brand of beer disparaged, or being laughed at because they like to wear a matching camoflaged hat and coat. These people know what is going on, they aren't stupid. There is a profound lack of respect among the snot nosed brats who run large parts of our party. Those people can kiss my ass. Al Gore can kiss my ass. Kerry fought in a war and had a Silver Star, he had balls I respect that! That is why I worked my ass off to support him. There was something in there, deep down that I could respect.
Some Democrats want to make the Clinton Democrat invisible. They think that only the emasculated intellectual can 'truly' speak for the people of the party. They have decided that soccer moms and the middle class are more important than people like me. These leaders need to be taken out and have their ass kicked. I won't support them, I won't follow them. They don't give a damn what my life is like, they talk down to me and they piss me off. In 2000 I voted for Nader, I will do it again in 2008 too if some son of a bitch tries that Al Gore crap again. I don't care what the stakes are! I want a god damn American as my president. Clinton was a damn fine example of that.
Go Clinton! Don't feed the troll!