Just wanted to take this opportunity to make a point.
Many Dean supporters will be seen as "mourning for Dean" or "not getting over it" when we continue to harp on points from his candidacy.
But I think this is grossly misleading. Remember, Dean supporters discovered and propped up their candidate. Dean didn't create us; we knew what we wanted and we found it.
Read On...
I supported Dean for some very practical reasons, and I'm willing to acknowledge his weaknesses. However, I backed him because he had a clear voice, when no one else did. To me, this is the time for such a clear voice, for a fearless face to our party. For the courage to stand up for important Democratic ideals that made this party strong for generations.
So if some Dean supporters appear to be mourning his loss or harping on his extinct candidacy, I hope that you'll always ask yourself this: are they just sad to see their candidate lose, or is their comment actually derived from the reason they backed Dean and not the other way around? Because while surely many Dean supporters will be angry and frustrated, many more will simply emerge with the same logic that helped them arrive at Dean as their candidate. And that's not mourning or lingering or idealism or idol worship. That's conviction. Because Dean supporters, like their candidate, know what they want.
And here's a hint: We don't want to send a message. We want to take whatever practical measures necessary to make our country better. That's why we're willing to put hard cash on the table. We play to win, and we play hard.
In this sense, we've taken a lesson from the Republicans: we're here to fight like hell to get what we want, we stick together and are loyal to one another, we don't cower in any corners. And if you ask me, it's about time.