This is not over!  Kerry attorneys are heading out on planes from Logan Airport to Ohio.  Absentee and provisional ballots have NOT been counted.  There are plenty of votes left to count to put Kerry over the top.

Nothing will be final until OHIO is decided.  We are still waiting for the midwest, southwest and NH results.

I'm a Deaniac.  I still choked a bit when I hit enter. I swore I'd never send money to the DNC establishment. But this election is too important not to do all I can do to win.  I've already commited to head to DC if Bush tries to steal the election, better to win it with a clear mandate and save air faire and lost wages, right?

So, how much have you donated to the DNC for Kerry's campaign in the last week? Here's the address: https:/www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

Today in A.P. government class we discussed traditional post WWI foreign policy.  I present this policy as promotion of democratic capitalism through international organizations, treaties, trade agreements, humanitarian assistance programs and a strong preference for the use of military force authorized by global organizations, or at a minimum with allies while not denouncing the right of unilateral action.

We also discussed neoconservative policy.  I presented that as the promotion of democratic capitalism through the most expediate means available as determined by the United States with or without the support of international organizations and with or without allies.  I mentioned that some neoconservative leaders are former John F. Kennedy supporters who become disillusioned and inpatient with the slow pace of (classical) liberal reform through traditional means and their absolute certainty in the righteousness of their beliefs.

Here's my question to ponder.  One of my students asked if I thought Lyndon Johnson was a neoconservative.  I began reflecting on the JFK Vietnam debate, would he, or wouldn't he...  Johnson did, despite of the lack of international or allied support for our Vietnam involvement.  

Did LBJ's dramatic escalation of the country's involvment in Vietnam represent an early demonstration of neocon thought and the result?

I keep thinking of George McGovern this week.  He was a real World War II hero and perhaps the bravest man to run for the presidency in the last 100 years.  He flew more than 40 missions in big slow bombers over Germany. More than once he limped back to base in a badly damaged plane and he kept flying missions till the end of the war.  McGovern, a true hero, didn't run as a war hero in 1972.  He ran as a compassionate, humble, peace candidate.

It's no secret around here that I supported Howard Dean in the primaries.  I love Dean, but his statements even while he was still an active candidate, like Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Gephardt, Lieberman all subscribed to Powell's pottery test, "You break it, you own it," and it always troubled me.

Kerry made clear in the debate thursday night that he was in Iraq to "win."  Both Kerry and Bush appear to support the "Vietnamization" of the Iraqi War.  Yet neither would clearly state in the debate that that was the extent of both of their "plans." I suspect that Dean would support the same position.

But I keep thinking about Vietnam and McGovern.  His solution was so simple.  Bring the troops home.  America wasn't ready for that message.  Are we?  Today we have a wall with over 50,000 names.  Thousands of names would vanish from that wall if only we had listened to McGovern and brought the troops home.

I will enthusiastically vote for John Kerry on November 2, 2004. But on Novemeber 3, 2004 I will begin a new campaign to do everything I reasonably can do to convince our new President and this country to listen to George McGovern's simple message of 1972, Bring the troops home.

Mission Accomplished Day:  Bush flew without a pilots license!!!
Laura Bush sold pot in college!!!!
George Jr. used coke at Camp David!!!!
Laura Bush killed her boyfriend!!!!!
George Jr. was arrested for DUI!!!!
George Jr. LIED about Guard entry preferential treatment!!!
Was drug use why George Jr. skipped his Guard physical???
George Jr. disobeyed orders!!!!
Guard documents are forgeries planted by Rove!!!
Guard documents are real!! Forgery charges smear started by Rove!!

Eisenhower said he would go to Korea.

Nixon implied he had a plan to end the Vietnam War.

I propose the following:

"After I am inaugurated President of the United States I will host a World Summit on Terrorism at Camp David.  I will invite ALL the leaders of the world, be they traditional friend or foe."

The rest of the words I dream to hear are below the fold.

My 12th grade government students have been discussing the treatment of Iraqi prisoners by Americans soldiers.  

The focus of our discussion was what should Bush do now?

What do you think?

This is the first year I've given this assignment as a semester paper.  I would appreciate your thoughts, especially on the paradigm I introduce.

(Poll included for easy reactive responses)

Calling all Deaniacs, former Deaniacs for Dean and those that think the media screwed Howard,

For most of us, we can worry, pontificate, wait and GIVE MONEY

Having done more than my fair share of worrying, pontificating and waiting, Friday I gave my $250.00.

How about you??  How much money have you given since Iowa?

There's lot of ads to pay for next week!

I just finished watching the reairing of the Peter Jennings fall 2003 interview of Howard Dean on CSPAN.  

The next "event" is the broadcast of an ice hockey game today in New Hampshire, starring John Kerry.  One word of sympathy - the poor guy looks like he's about to collapse and pass out.  I'll also have to give him points for "bravery" he could have fallen on his ass and become great TV.

Okay, I don't get it.  If it was Howard on the ice, I'd be sitting here having a fit!  What the hell is Kerry doing?  Is this an attempt to make him seem manly? Unlike Howard who the media consider too much of a man?  I can't believe this is a front runner's event three days before an election, in the fall okay, but now?  On the bright side, it was less boring than a Kerry speech.  Bizzare!  (oops - broke my own rule against bad mouthing any Democrat - bad Rus!)

It does give us a nice motto for the fall though..

"Skating to Victory"

Okay, so I'm betting on a long shot.  I don't know what will happen Tuesday in New Hampshire.  

I have serious doubts now about Dean's ability to beat Bush in November.  But, four days after feeling gut-punched, demoralized and defeated, I MISS HOWARD!  

I flirted with the other candidates, they left me flat.  I just can't convince myself any of them would beat Bush in November.  I toyed with a "new candidate."  I longed to recapture the excitement of Dean, someone new, someone we could rally around. I reviewed the list of all Democratic senators and governors.  The best I could come up with was Diane Feinstein. (nice woman, but not Howard) I even wrote a diary asking Kossacks what they thought.  I was dreaming.

Just as my November hopes were fading Howard's healing was beginning.  I don't know if it will be enough, but as our friend Jessie says "Keep hope alive."

I'm not drinking the Kool Aid, but four days after Iowa disaster (and it was a disaster) I've concluded Howard Dean remains out best hope of a Democractic Party victory in November.  

I want my country back and I want Howard back! I need to do my part to keep hope alive so tonight I sent "Screaming Dean" $250.00.  

That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.
Keep hope alive!

As a former Deaniac, now uncommitted, I'm having trouble getting excited about any of the other candidates. If we can't have Dean, then should we consider another option?  More candidates?

Who would you like to see enter the race?  

My personal criteria is it would have to be a candidate that would generate immediate excitement, could generate lots of money, and would be strong in late primaries. And most important, could kick Bush's ass!

Don't hate me, <g>  but has Diane Feinstein crossed anyone else's mind?

She's female (excitement)
She's jewish (think florida and new york)
She's rich!  (think self financing early on)
She's Californian (think easy victory in both Primary and General Election
She's moderate on guns  (she carries a pistol in her purse)
She's progressive  (very gay friendly...yes I know SF...not by SF standards)
She's strong on defense (yes, she voted for war, but so did the other likely nominees)
She has strong business connections (think husband, yes I know many of you hate that)
She's not Kerry.

need a second diary for this question

Monday night I watched in horror what I thought was the implosion of Howard Dean.  When Dean screamed the effect was like fingernails on a chaulkboard.  My body physically reacted.  At that precise moment I was sure that Dean was through and so was my support.

Hours later, still sitting shocked, I watched MSNBC spoof Dean by lighting up states one by on the national map as Dean rattled them off.  For the first time, I laughed.

Tuesday night I watched a Leno spoof roll Dr Hannibal Dean, bound and gagged off a plane in NH and I laughed.  I watched Leno's monologue spoofing Dean in a medical consultation.  "Then we'll rip up your spleen, then your appendix, then we're going to cut out your tonsils, then your gall bladder....  and I laughed so hard I couldn't get my breathe.

I watched Letterman Version.  Dean rattled off the states until his head exploded. I laughed.

My students told me morning radio was using the Dean scream as an alarm clock and we laughed.

Tonight I saw a music video version of the Dean scream and recall of states and I laughed again.

Okay...here's the important part.  The more I see the clips, the more I laugh, the less important it seems.  I remember during the Rodney King trial the defense strategy was to reshow over and over and over the police beating of King to desensitize the jury, and it worked.  If the media is out to bury Dean, it may be having the opposite effect.  Dean's scream no longer sounds like fingernails on a chaulkboard, it just makes me laugh and smile.

What's the missing ingredient to Dean's political rehabilitation?  I haven't heard HIM laugh!  He needs to laugh at himself so we can laugh with him and not at him.  I'll leave the who,what, where and when to the "Jedi"  but he better do it soon!

Let me see if I have this straight:

Dean's dirty tricks

1.  Two Dean campaign workers, (former volunteers-amateurs?, but paid by Dean's Iowa organization, big bucks I sure), walked into Kerry campaign headquarters, pretended they were Iowa residents and asked questions about the Kerry campaign with the hope of seeing Kerry's telephone script?
2.  Months ago someone from the Dean campaign called an Iowa official to find out the residency requirements for participating in the Iowa caucuses.  "Can one list a hotel as an address?"?
3.  Dean volunteers left Dean campaign leaflets on the cars at a Clark campaign event?

Do I have it correct?  These are Dean's dirty tricks?

Well, damn, I think Dean should withdraw from the race.  
Shame!  Shame on Dean!  
If this is best Dean can do he doesn't deserve the presidency!  He's nothing but a not ready for prime time amatuer!
And to think I thought Dean was a professional.

TAKE NOTES PEOPLE!
Professional Dirty Tricks

1.  Breaking into your opponents campaign headquarters in the middle of the night to steal strategy files.  Now that's dirty!  (Nixon,72)
2.  Going back again because the planted listening devices stopped working, now that's dirty! But demostrates a serious desire to win! Now that's dirty! (Nixon,72)
3.  Running a negative ad in the last 24 hours before the election accusing your opponent of advocating tax policy he doesn't.  Now that's dirty.  (Bush,88)
4.  Running ads equating a decorated triple amputee war hero with Osma bin Ladin.  Now that's dirty! (Chandler,02)
5.  Accusing your opponent of intentionally releasing rapists and murders into the community on weekend furloughs, now that's dirty! (Bush,88)
6.  Running an ad suggesting your opponent would use the bomb, when the whole country is scared shitless to start with, now that's dirty! (Johnson,68)
7.  Using negative push polling to spread false rumors about your opponents.  Now that's dirty!(pick your favorite repug)
8.  Disclosing the wife of an opponent as a covert CIA agent and putting her life in danger.

Now that's dirty!  (Bush,03)

GET SOME BACKBONE PEOPLE!!!!!  THIS AIN'T BEAN BAG!!!!!

And if you're going to get all freaked out about Dean's "dirty tricks"  can we atleast wait until he commits one?,

Assuming Dean does win enough delegate to lock up the nomination by mid-March, when should he name a running mate?

I suggest he name a running mate as soon as possible after securing the nomination.  I believe that for all practical purposes, the general election campaign will begin the next day.

I believe Bush/Rove will go on the offensive immediately to define Dean before he can introduce himself to the country.  Naming a solid running mate early and introducing himself and his running mate to the nation months before the convention is one effective way to counter the Bush offensive.  Every late primary would then become an affirmation of the ticket.

The convention could be used to introduce key cabinet nominees.  Dean could offer an experienced talented team ready to hit the ground running upon election.  This would weaken Bush's attempts to discredit Dean as inexperienced, and would also negate attempts to present Dean as a maverick unknown.

We have such a deep bench of potential cabinet appointees.  Bush's cast of characters would pale by comparison.  

For example:

Vice President:   ?

State:  George Mitchell  vs Colin Powell

National Security Advisor:  Bob Graham vs Condi Rice

Defense:  Wesley Clark  vs Donald Rumsfeld

Treasury:  Robert Rubin  vs.  John Snow

Attorney General:  Elliot Spitzer  vs.  dumb ass

Homeland Security:  John Breaux  vs. Tom Ridge

Health & Human Services:  Carol Mosley Braun vs. Tommy Thompson

Labor:  Dick Gephardt  vs.  Elaine Chao

Can you imagine all these great surrogates taking the stage at the convention, then stumping the country as a Democratic Team?

Should Dean name a VP before the Convention, and a cabinet at the convention?