Dean draws a line in the sand: Wisconsin

If he doesn't win on Feb 17th, he says he's out of the race.

I'm still with him and will be going to caucus for him on Saturday. I'm just not going to be as obnoxious about it as Ben Reilly was with Gephardt, though.

The news has been depressing, but it's counterbalanced by the very heartening fact that Democrats are coming out of the woodwork to caucus and to vote. Folks are angry, and that's going to help the eventual nominee's GOTV effort.

l'm still sticking with Dean despite his mistakes because not only did he make it cool to stand up to Bush, I still believe he would make the best President out of anyone in the field.

However, I realize he may play Waldron to the eventual nominee's McCluskey. Sigh. But if said eventual nominee becomes President because Dean gave him a spinal transplant, then the Doctor will have done the country a tremendous service.

I still plan on going to caucus for him April 13th. Point being to remind my fellow democrats that when they see the real thing next time, they actually go with him. Howard Dean's message has become a large part of the Democratic platform, and dante, do you somehow feel Dean supporters have to apologize for the man because of it?

Why not stick up for him? He's the only one that stood up for all of us! I hope he takes Maine, and shows incredibly well in Washington, so he can take Wisconsin, it would be the best thing for the Democrats.

There is some truth to that. I would still vote for him if I had the ability to do so. And I also think it's kind of sad how so many here deserted him so quickly. But you can't blame us for being a bit despondent after his poor performance so far.

Great line by a poster over at DailyKos:

"Every penny I gave to Dean has showed up in Kerry's backbone. Funny how that works."

I hated when Dean speaks like a deflated balloon after Iowa. He must have been taken too much advice from his stupid speech advisers.

He didn't realize that his base love that angry tone. Too bad, too bad he's about to be gone.

On the contratry, I love every minute of the way how Kerry attacks Bush, it makes me feel sooooo good.

And I am not a Kerry supporter yet because of his waffling on the war.

I was just trying to fire up Gephardt's base (i.e. me)

Too bad it works in reverse. How democrats that claim "electability" as the prime reason for casting their vote can settle on Kerry mystifies me. He's an Al Gore redux, except from Massachusetts, and looks like an Ent from Lord of the Rings. Still might win though against the worst POTUS I can remember (including Nixon).

I've liked Dean since May - ever since I first heard him speak out against such an obviously unjust war, at a time when very few seemed to have the guts to do so.

Since then, all of the current front-runner candidates have basically adopted the same speeches Dean was giving 8 months ago against the war and the misleading of the public in the run up to it (except when Saddam was caught - then they became pro-war again for about a week).

Disturbingly, Dean's drop in the polls and Kerry's rise over the last few weeks, seemed to have little to do with either Dean or Kerry. The DNC and the DLC simply wanted it that way.

Dean, if elected as a Washington outsider, would not be beholden to the special interests nor the Democratic Party itself - he would be free to say what he believes. This, being too much of a threat to too many, brought us, in short order, "the scream", "electability" and a 3 to 1 ratio of negative to positive Dean spin all over your television set.

Whether it's the DNC or the RNC it's all about big $. As much as I despise Bush, I don't see Kerry as a great alternative.. .. if he's elected don't be surprised if we just get more of the same.

Meanwhile, right now, I'm gonna contribute some more money(which I can hardly afford) because I intend to stick with him until the end and ignore the "electability" crap.

BTW - Dean had a tremendous fundraising day today. This campaign is not over yet.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/

LOL, you really believe this shit?

he was on npr today, and i remember why i liked dean and what drew me to him. he was eloquent and i agreed with his message, but somehow in the past 2 or so months, that message was lost. although he was attacked by all sides, he did not seem to know what to do. that along with some of his questionable statements clouded the good things dean represented.

Still sticking with Howard Dean here too. He's the only candidate, including President Bush, to have a pair of balls and tell it straight to the American public. You chumps can't have it all. You need to make some sacrifices. Honesty will always be favored in my eyes.

It's over.

Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said.
I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know where else I can go
Oh ...
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, Edwards wants to take me
Kerry wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me ?
Sad veiled donor, please be happy
Handsome volunteer, give her room
Loud, loutish campaigner, treat her kindly
(Though she needs you
More than she loves you)
And I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know what other door to knock on
Over and over and over and over
Over and over, la ...
I know it's over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said :
"If you're so visionary
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
And if you're so galvanizing
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you're so very good at stump speaking
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you're so unbeholden to special interests
Why do you sleep alone tonight ?
I know ...
'Cause 2004 is just like any other year
That's why you're on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they're in each other's arms..."
It's so easy to name states
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be a real politician
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to name states
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be a real politician
Over, over
Politics is Natural and Real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Politics is Natural and Real
But not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my ...
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can even feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Howard, I can feel the soil falling over my ...

Who pays for the campaigns of most politicians, Congressmen, and the President?

--Major corporations and wealthy elites.


Who do most politicians, Congressmen, and the President therefore ultimately serve?

--Major corporations and wealthy elites.


What kind of companies are most media companies?

--Major corporations, owned by even larger major corporations.


How do media companies make their money?

--By selling advertising, often (and with the broadcast networks, it's "usually") to other major corporations.


The members of the Boards of Directors of major media corporations serve on what other boards?

--On the B of Ds of other major corporations such as auto companies, oil companies, agribusiness conglomerates, financial and insurance institutions, etc.


Who's interests and points of view, therefore, does the corporate media ultimately serve?

--The interests of the wealthy elites that are usually major shareholders, directors, and executives of major corporations.


Who pays for Governor Dean's campaign and who ultimately "owns" him?

--The people.

This is why most people hate Dean supporters. Everything is a conspiracy against Dean. Gimmee a break.

That has to be my favorite post ever.

From article:

"Howard Dean sent an overnight e-mail message to supporters saying he would quit the Democratic presidential race if he did not win the Wisconsin primary on Feb. 17."

Today' front page headline from print edition NYT:

"Dean Says He'll Quit if He Doesn't Win Wisconsin"

The complete e-mail sent to supporters from Dean campaign which article refers to:

"Dear James,

The entire race has come down to this: we must win Wisconsin.

We must launch our new television advertisement on Monday in the major markets in Wisconsin. To do that, I need your help to raise $700,000 by Sunday. Please contribute $200 today so that we can reserve the air time:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/wisconsinad

We will get a boost this weekend in Washington, Michigan and Maine, but our true test will be the Wisconsin primary. A win there will carry us to the big states of March 2-and narrow the field to two candidates. Anything less will put us out of this race.

All that you have worked for these past months is on the line on a single day, in a single state. We have come so far to change our political process and restore our democracy-we can't stop now. Your $200 contribution will allow us to get out our message onto the airwaves, and win Wisconsin. Please contribute now:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/wisconsinad

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D."

Where does it say he'll quit? The e-mail was a fundraising request intended for supporters. By stressing necessity of winning Wisconsin, he created a sense of urgency which is very good way of getting contributions -and it worked because he collected a ton of money yesterday.

Now, this is typical. Typical of what has been served up by the mainstream media over the past few years. I mean, in this case, who can't see the trap they are setting?

Nowhere, did it say he would quit. But now the public thinks he said it - and will hold him to it if he doesn't win Wisconsin.

The special interests, corporate America, the RNC, as well as the DNC establishment want Dean and his message dead before he gets shot at NY and California and the 50% of delegates up for grabs on March 2.

Re: Re: Dean draws a line in the sand: Wisconsin

you asked and answered your own question

Dailykos.com - not EXACTLY an anti-Dean hate site - has polls up that show (a) Dean is focusing on Wisconsin because he was going to get worked over tomorrow in Washington state, and (b) Dean is going to get worked over in Wisconsin.

I think this is a crying shame - I learned to like Howard a lot, even though I love all the Democratic candidates like my children. (I love Joe Lieberman and Al Sharpton like the kids I put in the back of the station wagon and back into a lake, then claim I was carjacked by a Puerto Rican guy.) But Dean is done. He should get a talk show.

Re: Re: Re: Dean draws a line in the sand: Wisconsin

How's that?

"Anything less will put us out of this race."

That is passive voice. Dean never promised any particular action initiated by himself. That's not the same as quitting and should have been clarified by the Times. It was irresponsible for them to print this.