Many of the Kerryites at Kos, Kerrys blog, even DFA have demanded Dean voters allegiance. Some with anger, some with petulance, quite a few with heartfelt honest pleas'. But in a general way Dean voters dont seem convinced.
Something the Kerryites dont understand is that the Dean base is far different from the Kerry base, or any other Democrats base. Dean pulled from all spectrums. From the far left to right wing conservatives with a large sampling of libertarians and independants. No.. Deans base isnt liberals, traditional democrats, or even party loyalists. Deans base is the Perot voters. The disillusioned Naderites. The real conservatives. The reagan democrats. And it is new voters. Young voters.
And that is exactly why John Kerry cant seem to connect with them. Kerrys' strategy is to rely on the base and he, Pelosi and others have said so publicly. They plan to run right and rely on minorities, women, and traditional democrats to turn up to defeat Bush.
But that wont work with Dean supporters. They want a vision. They want a Democratic party that Stands For Something. A party that Fights. A party that believes. And the man who helped the press and Gep take down their candidate using the most sleazy , dishonest tactics in recent history offers them.. "I'm not bush". Its not enough Mister Kerry. It just isnt enough.
So what are the Dean voters to do? The answer is pretty clear. Edwards.
But why Edwards?
Edwards doesnt have the confrontational style of Dean. Contrary to popular belief southerners arent confrontational until you back them to the wall. And Edwards southern roots show through. Edwards however is challenging the party in a different way. Unlike Kerry and the rest of the Condems Edwards wants to fight for the poor and middle classes. He wants to take the party back. He wants to take America back.
And Edwards can WIN. Kerry may become president. If he is our candidate lets pray he does (whether you are religious or not). But if he does it will be because Bush lost. Because people cant stand Bush. Not because they believe in Kerry. Edwards however is a different story. His support for the working class (the majority of america though you wouldnt know it from the media) will pull in the democratic base as well as southern democrats, conservatives, independants and even some social conservatives. His youth and looks will bring in a few women who otherwise might have gone Bush or not voted. His fire and energy will bring in the youth.
And his energy, charm and ethics will energise the base. Something Kerry cannot do. And even the strongest Kerry supporter knows that. Kerry may have been a fine senator, but noone would accuse him of bringing energy or vision.
And lastly.. Edwards is the one candidate even his strongest political rivals like. He is the one candidate who always treats his opponents with grace, with class, with respect. And that is something we will need. That is something that can give us congress back. That is something that can defuse even the most underhanded right wing attack. That is something that can turn the electorate against the republicans should they try their normal tricks.
We need to support Edwards. Not because he isnt Kerry and isnt Bush. But because he will bring energy and Democratic Ideals back to the party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He will bring the integrity back to the nation of Teddy Roosevelt. He will bring community and healing back to the nation of Abe Lincoln. And he will bring back hope to America.