It is time to face facts.  Based on all the votes to date in our Democratic primary, half of the voters want Barack and the other half want Hillary.

The passion that African-Americans, young people and affluent liberals have for Barack Obama has built an impressive and inspirational movement for change.

Women, Latinos, Asian-Americans, the GLBT community and others are justly proud and motivated to support Hillary Clinton.

Emotions are running very high and in many cases we are left with an us vs. them mentality, pitting Democrat against Democrat.  The acrimony on both sides increases daily with both sides threatening to withhold their support should their candidate not be nominated.

News comes today suggesting that it is very likely that we will end up with a brokered convention where the decision will be made by superdelegates.  Our candidates need to do a deal, we must have both of them on the ticket and avoid the brokered convention scenario.

The following diary was originally posted in December of 2003, when Dean was the presumptive front-runner.  The online Dean presence was significantly more organic than the TR and uprate brigades of today.  Moreover, the site at that time was around 70% Dean, the rest split between other candidates(I was for Gephardt).  I'm posting this diary to show you that what you've seen in the last two months on this site is not new.  The difference is that now, the press tends to pick up on our little fights here, and spreads the often toxic messages to the wider public.  The discourse here is increasingly vicious, ugly and small.

The Open Threads, Comment Boards and the Diaries have become a Dean Echochamber much like the oft mentioned Beltway Echochamer.  Neither is helpful.  It will merely lead to stagnation and eventual death.  The development of censorship on this board by many individuals is more of a tactic of the despised Republicans than 'real' Democrats.
The value of blogs comes from their creation of an interactive community for people to express their views.  That community cannot prosper when dissenting views are immediately shouted down or in most cases automatically rated down.

Okay, as an old timer on this site(pre-Scoop, even pre-ratings), I remember the Primary Wars of 2003 and 2004 and they were almost as nasty as this seasons.  There were comments (before Diaries existed) and diaries and comments (after diaries were introduced) stating that if Candidate X wins the primary that person could not vote for him in the General.

We are seeing this phenomenon all over again.  If I thought it was actually worthwhile I would spend countless hours trying to find someone who said during the primary that they couldn't vote for Kerry but in the summer of 2004 were in fact writing comments/diaries praising Kerry.  I promise you there must be an example somewhere.

The simple truth is that primaries are emotional times and people out of anger, frustration and yes even joy will say some pretty irrational things that will set other candidates supporters off.  Its natural.  But ultimately primaries are about political parties.  To quote Bill Clinton, "fall in love, then fall in line."  

If you refuse to fall in line you CANNOT call yourself a member of the Democratic Party its that simple.

You can watch CNN live online here.

The hype as I read it so is Hillary, Hillary, Hillary all the time.

The narrative so far is that Clinton stumbled big time, and the outstanding question is whether or not she'll do so again.  The talking heads believe her 'aura of inevitability' will disappear if she does so.

Other goodies from CNN.com, John Edwards likes bagels!

Countdown to the Slots Debate: 1hr4min20sec.  Enjoy!

In case you need a break from politics, righteous indignation, Paris Hilton, and the coming climate apocalypse...

Will the San Antonio Spurs win their Fourth NBA title or will the 2007 NBA Finals be the coronation for His Majesty "King James?"

Let's be honest for a minute, when it comes to professional basketball the Western Conference has been dominant for many years.  However, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the one team that could bring that dominance to an end.  Even if it doesn't happen this year, Cleveland has nowhere to go but up and I think we will see them in several NBA finals over the course of the next decade.

For Cavs coverage: The Cleveland Plain Dealer

For Spurs coverage: MySanAntonio.com  

UPDATE:  Game 1 is on ABC affiliates at 9e/8c

This Wednesday, Montana Senator Conrad Burns (the largest recipient of money from Jack Abramoff and his clients in all of Congress) will be celebrating his birthday with a fundraiser at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Protestors will be gathering outside the NRSC to help Sen. Burns celebrate his birthday by reminding him of his numerous ties to Abramoff.

Here are the details:

What: Protest of Conrad Burn's Birthday Fundraiser

When: Wednesday, January 25, Assemble at 5:45 pm

Where: Outside the NRSC (corner of Massachusetts Ave. and 2nd St., NE- one block from Union Station)

Come dressed in a trench coat and fedora, just like Jack! Or bring your best corruption-related sign to hold!

Here is some good background on the relationship between Burns and Abramoff.

Why shouldn't they - its an excellent plan.  Essentially its a 401k subject to the same tax deferment rules and contribution caps and matching.  The difference is that it has the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

The rate of return across the five investment options has been excellent ranging from 5.75% to 11.99% (compounded over 10 years).  The riskier options took large hits between FY2000-2002 but ultimately achieved positive gains.  

If Republicans choose to use the success of the TSP program to promote Privatization, we as progressives can use it just as effectively to achieve very positive social reform.  Namely a stable national savings plan that provides excellent returns.

More below the fold

Ira Teinowitz of Advertising Age reported on October 25th, 2004 that U.S. political advertisement spending hit a record $1.6 billion almost double the previous record of $840 million set during the 2000 Campaign.  This represents a stunning 0.57% of all U.S. advertising spending in 2004.  When one considers that most ad spending takes place in a handful of states that figure is even more dramatic.  Moreover, according to Media Consultant Neil Oxman these ads prove less and less effective: 10 views in 2004 is equivalent to 3 views in 1994.

Not only does the constant barrage of advertisments annoy your average television viewer they are also the least cost effective method of reaching, persuading and turning out voters.

More below the fold...

The left in this country was the most organized it has ever been since perhaps the Vietnam War anti-war movement.  Groups like MoveOn.org, the ANSWER coalition and many others harnessed this power for electoral purposes.  The held massive demonstrations in Washington and in New York during the Republican National Convention.  They received large amounts of media coverage.  Public animosity to George Bush's administration was way up.  Voter registration was way up.  Turnout was way up. The Left in this country had more self-confidence and was more active.

Yet still we lost.  

Certain elements on dKos believe that the Democratic party needs to continue to mobilize on its left wing to win elections.  I am here to say they are wrong.

For all the ranting and raving about how moving to the middle does not win elections that is in fact exactly how Bush won and we lost.
More below the fold...
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This should be a big event so bring as many people as you can.  

Oh and if your reading this give it a recommendation so we can get the word out.  Youngstown is not far from Cleveland, Akron and Canton.

Doors open at 3 pm and its going to be a 'Beautiful Day' (U2 reference): high of 79 and Sunny with a light breeze.  In addition to speeches given by the Democratic candidates there will also be live music and tons of fellow Democrats.

Tickets are available at Democratic Party HQ, at the door or online at www.johnkerry.com/jeffersoncity

For the media covering the 1992 campaign "Chicken George" became a easily communicable symbol for Bush, Sr.'s unwillingness to debate then Governor Bill Clinton.  

These caricatures and characters have appeared in many different incarnations.  The Job Terminator, played by a University of Kentucky freshman made frequent appearances at Fletcher events.  

Long a fun outlet for Democrats who wanted to call attention to Republican faults; these same tactics are now used against Senator Kerry.  Take for example the ubiquitous flip-flop squad.  I have personally seen Flipper at events in West Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania.  The only conclusion is that someone is paying people to keep tabs on Kerry's schedule, moving around the country like one-man advance teams and getting crowds of people together to protest our nominee at every turn.

The Democratic party needs a similar character who through humour can call even greater attention to the Bush Administrations screwups.

Anyone have any ideas?

How I've missed DailyKos!  Just thought I'd update those who I have lost contact with.

After Gephardt's withdrawal I did some odd jobs around the Mid-Atlantic and near South.  Many will remember my postings on the front page regarding volunteers for the Kentucky 6th Special Election which we won VERY convincingly.  

I am now traveling full-time for the Kerry campaign doing Advance work.

Let me say a few things...

For those that still believe Kerry to be an uninspiring candidate: go see him in person.  We really do have a great candidate to take on GW Bush.

He's great on the issues and in person is an excellent speaker.  He's raising money at pace that is almost sickening except we know how truly necessary it is.  $26,000,000 of the Internet alone!

For all the old folks I can still be reached at my old e-mail address.  Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Go to www.johnkerry.com to learn more about the next POTUS.  

Thanks,

TX Dem in DC

Already there are nearly 400 Democratic activists from the DC area and across the country who will take a roadtrip to Lexington that will help change America.  The online political community represents a significant chunk of this number.

In Kos's entry earlier today he praised Kossacks for their financial support.  Together the blog community has made Chandler's race against Kerr even more competitive.

The Republicans have still managed to beat us on the numbers game.  Estimates from the Republican side place their numbers at over 600.

We can still do so much more.  We can close the gap.

The race in the Kentucky 6th Congressional district is about more than one more Democrat in a Republican controlled Congress; it is symbolic.  A win here will add to the momentum that Democrats nationwide are building to boot Bush out of office and "Clean House" in November 2004.  Kentucky votes Republican; but, if on February 17th a Democrat wins in this conservative state it will send a powerful message to the Bush administration and their allies on the Hill.

Sign up at www.democraticaction.org/ky to send the Republicans a message they cannot ignore.  Round up your friends, pile in the car or get to DC by 6:00 pm this Friday, so you can go out to Kentucky and make a difference.

Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky,

TX Dem in DC

The Republicans are getting much better at GOTV long the strength of the Democratic party.  We must redouble our efforts if we are to remain competitive.

GOTV is Grass roots politics at its best.

The DCCC fortunately does the same thing but never seems to get the kind of support the Republicans get.

How can you help?

If you live in the DC area or can get to DC by February 13th you can be part of an all-expenses* paid "political vacation" to Kentucky to get Chandler elected to Congress.  Specific details are in the extended copy.

Misplaced and wrong-headed tactics characterize the approach taken by both the Republican and Democratic parties in courting our vote.

Dick Gephardt remains one of the few truly decent people in politics and I am sure that he will continue his lifelong fight for working people in his last year in public service.  Gephardt embodied the ideals that we all look for in an American President.  Sadly, it did not translate to electoral victory.  

For his almost three decades of service to the people of his St. Louis district, the people of the working class, and to the people of the United States he deserves all the recognition and praise that is his due.  

I have personally grown working on his campaign.  I have again remembered that politics is always personal, always about what the constituents want, and always about leaving a place better than it was before you came.

Now that I'm looking for a job again and mental relaxing after 7 months of very hard work I have more time to think about what comes next and more importantly who I will support...

In my first entry I will take aim at the "military industrial complex," by taking a look at the Marine Corps 20 year old Osprey program and explain why it should be cut and how it can save $400 million of the taxpayers money in 2004 and $6.1 billion over ten years.  So without further adieu...