Sir, I am here to tell you that I believe you will have little to no support among Democratic Primary voters and in the Democratic blogosphere. We appreciate your service in the Senate and to our country in Vietnam. Many of us actually like you personally. Many of us share your political views and believe you are a good Democrat. I think many of us appreciate your outreach to the Daily Kos community in particular. It is always better late than never.
But that phrase does not apply to campaigns for the Presidency. There, it is never better late.
You had your chance at the White House. And it was a spectactular chance. A chance that everyone aspiring for the Presidency hopes for. A chance that included an increasingly unpopular war, an unpopular incumbent, scandals and revelations of untruth in the present Administration, and a faltering economy. You had a better chance against George W. Bush than Bill Clinton had against George H. W. Bush. You had the quadfecta, Senator. And you blew it.
You blew it in more ways than one. You broke your promise to us by failing to answer every attack upon you, us and the Democratic Party. You allowed the swiftboating to happen, and arrogantly ignored our pleas for you to respond for over a month. You never clearly articulated your vision, your message, your plan. And when you did, you would contradict yourself or your prior positions. Need I remind you of "I voted for it before I voted against it."
You have too much history, Sir. Any campaign for the presidency next year will immediately call to mind in every voter every aspect of your failed campaign in 2004. Fairly or not, you will always considered a flip flopper. Fairly or not, we cannot count on you to run a good campaign. Fairly or not, we cannot count on you to fight for us, especially when you refused to fight for yourself. Thus, we cannot afford you in 2008.
I am perplexed as to why you even want to run for the White House again. Why do you want to become the Adlai Stevenson of the 21st Century? I, and many others, are left with the sense that you believe you are entitled to the job, and deserve a second chance. I am sorry, but you are not so entitled, and second chances in politics are rare, especially in this day and age when the very stability of our nation and our Constitution are at stake.
The better course for you now is to be what you are. A elder party statesman. An effective Senator in the majority, with a chance to do real work for the people of Massachusetts and America. Indeed, with your sizable campaign warchest, and with the equally large email list compiled during the 2004 campaign, candidates will be falling over themselves for your support, endorsement and advice.
It is time for you to step aside, Senator, and let others succeed where you failed.
Respectfully yours,
Delaware Dem
This is an open letter, please feel free to criticize it in the comments below, chastise me for taking the liberty of speaking for many, or add your seconds, thirds or other methods of approval.
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