So many people here and elsewhere had long (and some, not so long) championed Dean as the second coming for the Democratic party and the nation. Now that Dean has fallen significantly, we're well into the process of finding out who was with Dean because of principled reasons, and who was with him simply because of primary process momentum.
Were you attracted to Dean because of the issues he pushed, his record as governor, and/or his ramrod-straight steel spine compared to the newly-inflatable ones of other Dems? If so, are you still working to make Dean's nomination a reality?
Between myself an friends, we'll get out around 120 letters to SC today and tomorrow (the last day to reasonably get a mailing there by Monday). I've hit the limit, so I can't donate anymore, but others have (the bat continues to rise at a brisk pace). Assuming Dean's still kicking on Super Tuesday, I'll be hitting the streets for him here in MA.
And so, what are you doing? NOTHING?!? Are you now resigned to a Kerry nomination? Is he who you want to see as President? I'm guessing most of you don't, but you've lost hope about Dean. Well, get out of the blog echo chamber, and get to work.
Do you think Kerry and his people gave up when it looked like (within the blogosphere anyway) that Dean was going to steamroller him, even here in MA? No, his true supporters took account of what needed to be done, and they did it. Granted, we don't have the party advantages that Kerry has/had, but we have our passion and our work ethic.
Like Howard says, if you just want to change presidents, any of our candidates could do it. Even Kerry could probably squeek out a win against Bush (of course, he'd lose the South in dramatic fashion, and do nothing to expand our party or help our Congressional situation). But if you want to change the way our country works, start to build what could be a generation-long coalition across the country, take back the Senate, and maybe (just maybe!) balance the scales in the House, then you better get your head back on straight, and start swinging for Dean again.
Write some letters. Throw him $10. Talk up your friends (again!). Volunteer for the campaign if you're within spitting distance of a Feb. 3 state. Whatever you do, NOW is the time to act, when things look hard. It was very pleasant and easy to be a Dean booster two months ago. We can still do this, unless you give up. You gotta believe!
