Reply #24: Amazingly similar.

[MarjorieG]

There were many Dean fans, so although I was grateful for Dean's surrogate help (as one of the few at all), his fans were hold-your-nose-Dems who couldn't muster enthusiasm or resisted voting for Kerry. There were primary wars that never ended. Lots of infighting. Many first-timers new to the legislative process and what votes mean: yes, but or no, but-never perfect, who were endlessly critical.

People believed the media, or if they didn't, they complained, just like now.

They didn't understand the challenges of 2004, the opponents using fear, and that Bush and the war were popular. We were up more than a few points until the OBL tape the weekend before. So when McCain says he'll win it 48 hours before the election, I'm warning all that we can't take this for granted.

Whether an October surprise, bombing Iran, or election theft, we can't rest on our laurels here, and rag on Obama more than McCain.

The FISA issue reminds me of the IWR, when the vote was not a vote for war, allowing Bush to escape the real blame. All blamed Kerry. I don't think we'll lose our Constitution on FISA, and we can tinker later. But the emotions are the same-voted for war-voted for trashing our Constitution. Using emotional arguments and easy to quote phrases. I hate War. Save the Constitution. Easy to gather support and stoke emotion.

We also had a Bill problem, because of his lackluster support (on his summer book tour apologizing for the war and Bush's motives and not mentioning Kerry), probably holding the place for Hillary. He also suggested waiting on the swifties response, that Kerry should sign onto the marriage amendment (which Kerry didn't do, of course) and other dubious suggestions.

We liked Kerry's long, expressive hands, and found him nimble, cool, temperamentally suited, not rattled and able to side step the media when interviewed, and great with kids. Sounds familiar?

There was a media freeze of a presidential Kerry, and he had to go under the radar to local media. Media never showing the large crowds, the humor, just a Kerry head shot, and preferring to show long, staged events with Bush. Making excuses for him.

Yes, there was a lack of big picture on the blogs, and of seriously doing what was needed. Lack of Democratic support cost us. It was anybody but Bush, and we could have gotten more to the polls if Kerry's qualities were shared.

Kerry said Obama was his candidate of a lifetime, and I have to agree. Kerry connected better than was reported, but Obama is a phenom.

Maybe this isn't what you wanted?