I support the DNC Chairman. I supported (blank) during the primaries

[LittleClarkie]

Poll question: I support the DNC Chairman. I supported (blank) during the primaries

I did something like this during the election process for DNC Chair. That time,I made the point that several of us had not supported Dean in the primaries, but that several of us wanted him as our Chairman.

Once again, in the interest of unity, I'm going to ask the question, only more specifically. I think it would be beneficial (she said hopefully) to see. And I've been concerned by the suggestions that one group of supporters or another is not behind the good doctor.


Sooo, if you now support Dean in his role as DNC Chairman, please indicate who you supported for President.

[Dhalgren]

1. Just FYI . It's "Kucinich". Thanks.

[LittleClarkie]

6. Like, oops.

Thanks, fixed.

I wasn't a Kucitizen, but the man deserves to have his name spelled right.

[MaineDem]

2. Dean is the DNC Chair regardless of whom anyone supported

Can't we put all this behind us? Why segregate people by their support in '04; it seems counterproductive to getting the Democratic Party back on track.

[LittleClarkie]

4. No matter what, we seem to be in these little groups

And I thought it would be helpful to show that no matter what you consider yourself, that we are unified behind our Chairman.

Also, I was concerned about the talk I'd seen on board that was becoming divisive in regard to who supported Dean and who didn't. One way to move forward is to clear up misconceptions that folks might have about who supports the man and who doesn't. If we feel more unified and can see it, then perhaps we can move on.

I think we will have these little groups for quite a while. It's best for us to learn to work together even if we're a bit separated in who we support for 2008 or who we used to support.

[MaineDem]

13. I understand what your doing but I respectfully disagree that it's best

The more we allow people to associate with one of our '04 candidates or the other we're just fostering the differences. I think it would be far more beneficial to concentrate on winning the two Governors' races this year and the House and Senate seats next year. THEN we can get back into "my candidate and your candidate" discussions.

I don't mean to be disruptive because I really can understand your goal here. I just think it's time we all moved on and got down to grassroots politics.

[goodhue]

3. I supported Dean for DNC chair, Kucinich in the primaries.

eom

[LittleClarkie]

5. I supported Dean for DNC chair, Clark in the primary, Kerry in the general

Calling Dr. Dean, Code Blue.

[TayTay]

7. Gov. Dean has my support now

I was/am a Kerry supporter. I want Gov. Dean to succeed in his job as DNC Chair. I agree with Little Clarkie that part of that success will come from Dems putting the differences aside (not totally away) enough to get behind him and help him. The 2006 & 2008 races are just too important for anything else.

[Jo March]

12. Amen. Infighting won't do us any good.

We have to support Dems who support us. I believe that Dean and Kerry both do.

[LittleClarkie]

14. I was hoping my little poll would illustrate that

for those who might think that one faction or another is not supportive.

[Jo March]

15. Well, I supported LittleClarkie in the primaries

and I now support LittleClarkie in the threads!

:hug:

[LittleClarkie]

16. Aw, thanks

:blush: :pals:

[Jo March]

23. I just loves me some Dems

Especially DU Dems!

:grouphug:

[Jo March]

24. Look at that picture of Kerry and Dean in your sig line

That is what we should be doing. Instead, too many times our hands have knives in them and we are aiming them at each other's backs.

It's very frustrating.

[LittleClarkie]

25. That's why that's in my sig

I'm showing my solidarity. I was quite proud of all our candidates and how they came together during the election, even Joementum.

[InvisibleTouch]

8. Supported Dean in the primaries, but was behind Kerry 100%...

...in the general.

[Robeson]

9. For the record: Dean on both.

[Larkspur]

10. Ditto!

[Jo March]

11. Support Dean for chair and Kerry in primaries

Love 'em both. They both have fire in their bellies although Dean chooses to express his more often and with great gusto. Kerry has fire but is more methodical and lower key about it.

These two guys are kicking some major elephant ass lately and I LOVE IT!

:woohoo:

[LittleClarkie]

21. Most of our former candidates are on the same page, it seems

Dean and Kerry are both working the South, Kerry gave money to help Dean in the DNC, Clark and Kerry are working the military family support thing. Clark gave a talk from Kerry's stepson's home. Edwards and Kerry still talk.

I wish we could be as unified as they.

But I'm glad you bring up the differences in styles. I think some people need a loud dog and pony show, or they don't think anything's happening. Kerry's more methodical. And as someone said somewhere around here, when Kerry talks to nominees in committee, he quietly backs them into a corner, and they're not even aware of it until they're there.

Most of the Dems have been doing pretty good right now. I hope they can keep it up.

[Jo March]

30. Right and we need both kinds - quiet and outspoken

Dean can say what Kerry might not be able to say. Oh, Kerry will probably want to say it but can't put it as bluntly as Dean can. Conversely, Kerry is able to do the subtle backing into a corner that Dean might want to but can't do as smoothly as Kerry.

We have many different styles in our leaders and I have to say that I am pleased at how things are shaping up with the DNC and with the Dem leadership.

If we could just somehow extract Joe Libermann from *'s ass, then I'd feel a little better about good ol' Joementum!!

[LittleClarkie]

32. His voting record, except for foreign policy, is fairly progressive

I think ol' Joe may have to learn the hard way.

I also think Bush sucked out his soul with that kiss, but that's another story.

[welshTerrier2]

17. i don't know how to answer your question ...

for starters, i can say this: i supported Kucinich in the primaries and i supported Dean for DNC Chair ...

i hate Dean's Iraq position (yes, if he speaks out it is important what he says whether he votes in Congress or not) and i always have ...

but the real concern i have with Dean right now is that i have not heard him speaking out to get ALL Democrats a greater voice and more dialog with elected Dems ... i supported Dean for Chair because i believed he wanted to make the Party more Democratic ... i'm concerned now that he may not be making that a priority ...

so, i don't know what it means to ask whether i support Dean in his role as DNC Chair ... i have concerns about how he has, and has not, conducted himself since he became Chair ... i'm hopeful he will eventually encourage the Party to be more democratic ... do i still support him? i guess the jury is still out ... time will tell ... so far, i'm a little disappointed ...

[LittleClarkie]

19. I see him touring the South

nurturing the much neglected Dem grassroots in those areas. That appears to be priority one for him.

I know you don't like his Iraq stance, but my main beef with the recent criticism is that some have made it sound like he flipped his stance. He hasn't. He has been consistent. I don't understand the sudden surprise, I guess.

The sentence in my "If...then" statement that says "IF you support Dean, THEN..." Perhaps you do not fit the "if" statement and that's why you're having trouble with the "then" statement. But that's okay. It sounds like at least your mind is open.

[CWebster]

46. It is NOT a question of changing his tune

It is an issue when circumstances require a re-appraisal.

You know, like the way Dean is hedging and softening his language on abortion to fit the DLC vision of where the party needs to go....You see, when voters claim they are considering moral issues, the Democrats attempt to triangulate on the Right's framework instead of establishing their own moral perimeters- war, Social security for example. There is still the Clinton scandal hanging over the Democratic party as a moral stain, but since the Clintons still monopolize power, they limp along pointing fingers everywhere else.

[kevsand]

42. I think Dean's working hard to give all Dems a voice.

He's focused first of all on areas where Dems have long felt ignored or overwhelmed: red states in the south and west. But the party is also now making concerted efforts to solicit input from everyone on major issues and strategies, most recently in regards to primary scheduling. This sort of thing started under the previous chair, but Dean seems to be pushing it a whole lot more now. I supported Dean for chair, and still think he's the best thing that's happened to the DNC in decades.

For the record: I was on the ballot as a Clark delegate in the primaries.

[welshTerrier2]

44. please elaborate ...

"But the party is also now making concerted efforts to solicit input from everyone on major issues"

two of the biggest issues to come before the Congress over the last couple of months was the bankruptcy bill and the supplemental budget ($81 billion) to continue the occupation of Iraq ...

i was not aware of the party making a concerted effort to solicit input from everyone ... did they or didn't they ???

[LittleClarkie]

45. Seems to me they've solicited for general opinions and such

but not necessarily on individual issues. There have been calls for activist action, but that's not the same.

[kevsand]

50. I was speaking primarily in terms of party issues

and strategies, such as the recent call for comments on the primary schedule. I'm on the DNC mailing list, and for a long time the only thing I ever heard from them was requests for money.

It also looks like Dean lately has been spending a fair amount of time listening to people on the ground in some of the red states, getting their input on what works and what doesn't, and how the DNC can help.

In regards to individual bills in Congress, the DNC has fairly consistently encouraged rank and file to speak directly to their elected representatives, which is probably as it should be.

[Nordmadr]

18. I am actually registered Green Party, so was unable to vote

during the primaries. During the primaries I found myself liking Dean the most, but put my support, and vote, behind Kerry once he won the party nomination.

Olaf the Viking

Edited for punctuation

[LittleClarkie]

20. I hope you voted here anyway. Intent counts for something.

I could have put in Green, but I guess that's in the Other category.

[ComerPerro]

22. Dean, Clark, Kucinich, Edwards

[Crunchy Frog]

26. Thanks for trying to do something for unity

amidst all the flamebait threads that people are starting today. All these people who would rather tear other Democrats and there supporters up than promote unity in the party are making things pretty unbearable right now.

I supported Clark for the nomination, but he was out of the picture by the time things got to my state, so I actually voted for and supported Kucinich, and was a delegate for him all the way up to the State Convention.

I was somewhat ambivalent about Dean becoming DNC Chair, although I did sign a petition in favor of it. Now that he is the DNC Chair, I don't see how anyone calling themselves a Democrat can not be supporting him and wishing him the best.

[LittleClarkie]

34. Indeed, no matter how folks felt before

we rather need him to succeed now. Of those who don't, I fear they're playing politics. If Dean goes down, then they go up.

[WLKjr]

27. I was dying to see a Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean ticket

that was my wet dream ticket right there.

[sandnsea]

28. I support Dean as chair

I just wonder if WE are doing everything on the ground that WE need to do to win in 2006. I sometimes wonder if people aren't expecting a magic wand solution. There isn't one.

[ChiciB1]

29. I've Supported Kerry For Many Many Years...

I really think behind all the "negative" press he got, he has a heart of gold.

Then of course it's EDWARDS who stole my heart. I honestly, and I mean honestly think he can make some real headway. Given where he comes from, given his message and given his loyalty to the common man, he will be able to "connect"!

By the time 2008 gets here, His Corruptness is going to have this country in a heap of trouble, and most of those "red staters" who live in those small little towns aren't going to know what hit them!

I really respect Kerry, but don't think we will do him again. But my vote is for Kerry.

[lojasmo]

31. Dean and Dean (BTW, it's gephardt, not gebhardt) EOM

[LittleClarkie]

33. Le sigh

D'oh!

[tnlefty]

35. Other and here's the explanation

Did more than 2 house parties for Chairman Dean. I attended more house parties and fundraisers for Chairman Dean when he was a candidate. Registered voters and actually did more work for candidate Dean. We donated money to Dean (obviously), Rep. Kucinich, Carol Mosley-Braun, and Wes Clark. During the primary vote we split our votes between Clark and Dean.

[Pepperbelly]

36. Clark.

And I wanted to do cartwheels when Dr. Dean got the job.

[Field Of Dreams]

37. Clark for Prez

and I think Dean was just what the doctor ordered for DNC chair. I was thrilled when he got it.

[sellitman]

38. I supported Dean then...

and i support him now. I'd love to see a Dean- Boxer ticket or if dean won't run....a Boxer - Conyers ticket. These are our best. I hope to see the Democrats turn Left again. With REAL Democrats.

[BootinUp]

39. I like your poll Little Clarkie

:thumbsup:

[LittleClarkie]

41. Thanks. Can we draw some conclusions from it

Like maybe Dean's support is fairly broad-based? And that it might be a falacy to say that Kerry supporters or Clark supporters don't support Dean?

I hope so. I hope it's proved some kind of point.

[union_maid]

40. I was thrilled when Dean got the chairmanship

I supported Clark in the primaries, Kerry in the general. Dean has the spirit and the enthusiasm and most importantly he understands how to put forth the populist message that the Democrats should really be about. I still think that Clark could be one of our best presidents if he were ever to get the chance. Kerry certainly would have been excellent, too. Shit...getting depressed now....

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

43. I backed Clark in the primaries, voted for Kerry, and despite my concerns

I support Dean, in the interest of unity.

[Q]

47. It's 2005 and you're asking people to choose leadership for 2008?

I'm getting sick and tired of these attempts at 'loyalty oaths'. It's not unity you're looking for...it's sheeplike behavior.

[LittleClarkie]

48. No, it's 2005 and I'm asking the various damn factions

To show us all that Dean's support comes from EVERYWHERE. Look at it. We were being told that Clarkies didn't support him. Clarkies support him. We were being told Kerrycrats didn't support him. Kerrycrats support him.

I haven't looked at it today, but we had Kucinich folks, a Naderite, a Braun person.

I'm not asking anyone to follow along. They don't even have to move. Like little flags on a map, I'm just pinpointing where folks are. And showing the Dean people, once again, that they are not alone in supporting their guy. He's not THEIR guy any more. If one is a Dem, then he's OUR guy.

I fail to see the sheeple. I don't know where you're looking.

[Hidden Stillness]

49. E Pluribus Unum--"Out of Many, One"

At the beginning of the primaries, I could have supported several of them, and waited to see who would emerge. I had very mixed feelings about Gephardt--a sterling, perfect record on labor/employment issues, farm subsidies, pro-choice on abortion, anti- NAFTA and GATT, good on education, etc., but I was one of those who was shocked, disbelieving, when Gephardt and Dacscle embraced Bush and Republicans, after the backstabbing, criminal theft of the 2000 "election." I think it was the beginning of the end for them both; I knew many people who never forgave them for stabbing us in the back. After the Dean craze died down and Kerry was suddenly winning everything, I learned a little more, and gradually became very impressed with this great, moral background of Kerry's, and that was who I supported. Toward the end, though, Edwards's emphasis on poverty--a central concern for me--impressed me, but I stayed pretty much with Kerry, even during that horrible, "DLC-framed" loser campaign strategy.

Dean has been both good and bad as DNC Chair, I think. Good on talking straightforwardly like a human being and attacking Republicans courageously, the way real people do out here in the real world; bad on this very offensive "We'll dump women's rights if this is what you DLC Repubs want" stunt just recently. It makes me wonder if they STILL think of it as a male institution, and THEY are going to decide what THEY will do about these other issues. It has put a space between me and my support of Dean; I don't know how my group is going to be treated, any old time THEY decide they are going to make a move to "widen" support again. If they fuck it up and lose women, no groups will be able to make it up.

I think that we as a Party are always strengthened by open discussions of our perspectives on the issues, who we support and why, what we feel needs to be done, etc. A political party is made up of millions of the citizens of a nation, unlike "D"LC, Inc., which is a small board of rich males, in "framing" class, yelling at us for referring to our concerns. The Republican Party is currently threatening PBS by calling it "biased" right off the bat, so that there is nowhere for the discussion to go; poor and middle-class people hurt by corporate-DLC Clinton are called "haters" right off the bat, so that their concerns are attacked as "hate" and thereby "cornered" by rich DLC, Inc. representatives who do not give a rat's ass about the problems of the non-rich. A people they actually insult by referring to them as "the little people." Little this, rich prick. After the catastrophic dissolution of the Democratic Party during the DLC 1990s, we should learn that a Party is helped by discussions from all members, not one corporate group "running" it as if it were a moneymaker or a club; and that demanding action on pressing issues is a call to act on behalf of the people who put you there, not a set-up to the next "framing"/slander/attack/lying session. Now we have the rich corporatists who killed the mainstream, middle-class, moderately liberal meaning of our Party, launching a smear campaign against anyone who will not serve them. They protect their turf at the expense of our Party. Above all--non-capitalists--they never, never listen, and will never help the non-stockholding classes.

I support all true efforts to discuss all of our concerns publically and try to come to an agreement on what our policies should be; after all, that is what a convention is. We have to try, if we can, to support as wide a range of our Democrats--"All for One, and One for All"--as possible, and try to help advance each other's causes where possible. A nation only prospers when there is cooperation among a large, representative group of the people; it dies when one rich, corporate little group usurps the whole process and kicks the rest out, only to advance their intersts at the expense of all the rest, now censored and shut out. We have that now with these treasonous bastard Republicans killing democracy and liberty; we will not get our country back by following the same horrible pattern in our own Party. Get back to the real, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Party, where we will all have a voice!

[LittleClarkie]

51. Unity kick

'Cause we need one.