My response to this party being in its death throes.

[coloradodem2005]

We need to continue to fight and drive the issues home and tell the people why we are a better option from Bush. Yes Saddam has been captured, but that credit goes to the military, not Bush. SH has been in hiding for 8 months while Bush was swaggering on an aircraft carrier and talking about this faux economic recovery. We need to stick together.

There are only two things that could put the dems out for good.

1. We keep infighting between Deanies and Clarkies etc.

2. If Lieberman becomes the nominee. I should not rip on a candidate but he has really been making me sour.


Besides, where is bin Laden. Where are the good jobs.

[realFedUp]

1. and you couldn't have responded within the thread

:eyes:

[coloradodem2005]

3. I needed to make my message clear...

...much like that guy whose picture you have on your posts.

[opihimoimoi]

2. I hear you loud and clear

Keep the faith, the time is coming, the swagger will wilt

Come, we step forward, IMUA Ka Kou

[no name no slogan]

4. A somewhat contrarian argument

I would argue that this party is FAR from being in its death throes for two very apparent reasons:

We have nine very capable candidates running for the presidential nomination. In the 20+ years I've seriously followed politics, I've never seen such an excellent field, both in quantity and variety, representing all factions of the party. It seems that the ShrubCo Debacle has brought out the best candidates possible.

There is a LOT of debate over who our nominee should be, and over the issues that we can win with in 2004. Of course it gets nasty some times, but that's what the primary season is all about. This year is hardly any different. The difference is that the web is being used to a higher degree than before, which means the tirades and barbs fly faster and more often than previously.

But look at the debate! EVERYTHING is being debated, and everything about each of the candidates is being vetted! Sure, we may be brutal in our partisanship now, but what we're flinging is absolutely nothing to what Karl Rove's Wurlitzer will be kicking out next fall. If anything, the vetting of the candidates helps us see who holds up best under pressure, and gives a clue as to how our candidate may perform in the GE.

I've been through a number of primary seasons, and I can assure you that what is happening now is no worse than those that have gone before: the attack ads, the enmity between supporters' camps, etc. I had a couple friends who worked for Dukakis in 1988 in NH, and they shared a number of war stories that are as nasty (or nastier) than anything I've heard this year. Of note was the handmade sign in their office, made from a "liberated" Gephardt sign: "Dick Gephardt before he Dicks You". This shit has gone on long before this race, and it will go on long after this one's in the history books.

I feel nothing but optimism right now for this party, as it seems to have been reborn over the last nine months. Maybe this time we'll remember why we're Democrats and send BushCo packing-- and take back the Senate and House as well.

[Moderator]

5. Locking - either reply in the insitigating thread or don't.