Hopefully, this entry will be to the point. I am presently an Edwards supporter, but acknowledge he is clearly a longshot. I disagree with his war vote, yet believe he has the best message out there and offers the best chance to appeal to the majority of the electorate. I like most of his substantive positions and believe he is more liberal than he appears. What I like best is his positive message, a message that grows with importance each day.
That said, it is disheartening to read the many threads and comments here. If this blog is a true reflection of where the Democrats are heading, I see bad times in front of us. WHEN WE SHOULD ABOVE ALL ELSE BE REMEMBERING THAT THE 2000 ELECTION WAS STOLEN, instead the discussion here usually disintegrates into the same old my guy is better than yours and your guy sucks. In the end it is a prescription to re-elect Bush because we become divided rather than unified.
The coming election will be closely contested, just like in 2000, and every vote will matter. I therefore suggest you take a step back, take a deep breath, and look at your own comments. Just what are you doing? Just what is your point or purpose? So much of it makes no sense to me. It is frankly a joke. And it makes this blog less relevant each day.
Of course, this blog is mostly comprised of Dean supporters. ALTHOUGH THE DEAN DETRACTORS ARE EQUALLY AT FAULT AND THESE WORDS APPLY TO THEM, TOO, I address much of this to the so-called Deaniacs. Since Dean, according to most of you, is way ahead, since your movement cannot be stopped, perhaps you guys should show more restraint? I cannot understand the thin skin. I can't understand why there cannot be frank discussion without the insults, the vulgarity, the condescension, the ridicule, not to mention the self-righteousness. There's nothing worse than a bad winner. Yes, you may indeed win in the end, but you may cut off your nose to spite your face. For just as you say that we cannot win without you, you cannot win without the rest of the Democrats who GREATLY outnumber you. You will not win without their strong support. Antagonize them at your peril.
As to the others, the over-vocal minority, you guys are no better. I agree, it's often hard to listen to the Dean supporters, but to outdo them in the game of rudeness and dissension only tends to make you all smaller. It drives them away. They, like you, will be important in the final battle against Bush. If Dean is going to blow it, he will do that all by himself. Turning virtually every discussion into a shouting match of words creates a bunch of noise that no one actually hears. It changes no one's position and makes it harder to come together in the end.
Yes, I know this diary entry will have no real effect. I say it to be on the record. I know the bullshit will continue to fly back and forth. It gets worse every day. It pushes us farther apart. And in the end, if Bush gets re-elected by a whisker, then, to my mind, you're all a bunch of assholes.
PS - I know about Edwards and the Confederate flag flap with Dean. Dean was wrong and admitted so. I believe Edwards was sincere. You may disagree. And though Edwards is easily dismissed, at least his campaign, except for this one brief instance, is very positive and issue oriented. We could all learn from his message of unity.