Here is the letter I wrote to
Eric Alterman regarding his posts about Dean over the last couple days. Let me just say that I am a big Dean supporter, but I agree with a lot of what he had to say. Continue reading for my letter...
Eric,
I must say that I agree with Paul Witt. I am an ardent Dean supporter, but I hate the term Deaniacs. I also agree with a lot of what you said about the small fraction of Dean supporters who go nuts every time you say anything slightly negative about Dean. They are annoying (although, I imagine that most of the candidates have that kind of supporter).
BUT...at least they are out there getting involved. There is one major thing that the Dean campaign has impressed on me. You can't vote for change, you have to make it happen. People are paying attention and doing more than just watching TV. They are joining the dialogue. They are interacting with the media. They are getting on the street and volunteering. As you say, no matter how this all turns out, Dean has done the Democratic Pary a world of good by getting people involved and bringing an excitement back to politics. The Deaniacs just happen to be a part of that. This excitement will last beyond the primary and beyond the 2004 election.
For me, it means that since joining the Dean campaign, I have gotten involved in my local Young Democrats chapter and become a precinct committee officer in my county. I intend to volunteer in the local congressional elections and state house elections as well as the presidential one. The Dean campaign has been a big wake up call to me. I also truly believe that any of the major candidates can beat Bush and WE can make it happen.