Madison Capital Times: "Hey, John Kerry! I want my $25 back!"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Kerry left volunteers in the lurch

By Phyllis Hasbrouck
November 6, 2004

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion//index.php?ntid=15544&ntpid=2

Hey, John Kerry! I want my $25 back!

I gave it to your campaign specifically for the fight around a contested election. Your e-mail said, "In the post-election period of 2002, the Republicans had four times as much money as we did. With your donation, we'll be ready this time, with an army of lawyers prepared for any contingency." You probably raised millions from that appeal, and we figured you really meant it.

Early Wednesday morning, we heard John Edwards say "We've waited four years for this victory, we can wait another night." Later that morning, on "Democracy Now!" WORT (89.9 FM) I heard stories that made my blood boil, about how Ohio voters were deprived of their right to vote by 10 hour lines, broken machines and late absentee ballots. I heard that the votes in Florida's cities, cast on easy-to-hack Diebold machines, were not reported until after it was clear just how big a margin Bush would need. And then at noon you caved in and gave a concession speech. Say what?! I heard that you were under pressure from "members of (your) own party to concede for the good of the nation." What the hell is that supposed to mean? How can it be good for our nation to be subjected to four more years of Bush? If you think that a tidy beginning to a national nightmare is more important than a messy beginning to a fresh start for America, why did you bother to run?

Why did you campaign so hard and speak so eloquently about the reign of death and destruction that the Bush gang of thieves is about to intensify, if you couldn't stand a protracted legal battle to uncover voter intimidation and fraud? I volunteered for your election for a month, putting in 78 hours on 25 days canvassing my neighbors (and many more hours calling and entering data). My house is a wreck and my family neglected. I was dead tired at the end, but I would have worked that hard for another month or more if you had led the effort to make our votes count.

[Javaman]

1. Wow, a politician lied, big surprise...yawn, moving on

[htuttle]

2. That's my city, and it's a very common sentiment going around right now

It was hard enough for a lot of Madison's Left community to get behind Kerry, but when we did, we supported him in spades.

I've been hearing a lot of grumbling about the early concession. Nobody I've talked to here in Madison has thought it was a good or proper thing to concede so soon. A lot of the former Green voters here who voted for Kerry are going to be back in the Green column next election, for better or for worse.

[buff2]

5. Greens to ensure another BU$H victory!!!!!!!

"A lot of the former Green voters here who voted for Kerry are going to be back in the Green column next election, for better or for worse."


Good. Let the Greens work on getting Jebthro elected in 08! It's the BU$H'S AMERICA! Praise Jesus,and pass the collection plate!!!!!!! Glory to God and bless his holy name for giving us the bu$hes. Ain't life grand? :puke:

[htuttle]

9. Yah, yah, yah

If you knew anything about Dane county, you'd know that it leans very heavily to Green -- since well before 2000. At any given time, we have at least a handful of Greens on the County board and Green-friendly Alderpersons on the City Council (often under the label of the 'Progressive Dane' umbrella group).

The Democrats here worked VERY hard to get the local Greens on our side this time, and I think the early concession was the last straw for getting them to work with us.

[frylock]

13. you know what, FUCK THAT!!!

a lot of progressives, including myself, got behind your boy, and what the fuck did it get us?!! That a-hole gave up, and you want to cast aspersions to the Greens?!! Wake the hell up! It's your party that has let you and the whole nation down with their Republican-Lite attitude. Don't lay the blame on the Greens; y'all need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. If you continue to support the DNC, then YOU are the ones who enabling the repubs. Fuck me!!!!! :mad:

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. I do not understand the concession. I'd be lying if I said I did.

The Edwards Election Night speech followed by the Kerry concession the next morning...

"Kerry honors Skull & Bones pledge"...did he?

"Kerry was threatened"...was he?

"Kerry never really wanted to win in the first place"...really?

"Kerry has retired to his secret underground bunker with the legion of DNC lawyers who are going to emerge at any moment to TAKE BACK THIS ELECTION"...will this happen before or after Santa comes down my chimney?

I...am...so...SICK...of...this...CRAP.

:grr:

[htuttle]

11. I think it was a whole lot simpler than that

I think that John Kerry merely measured up the landscape, saw a too-slim chance of reversing the election, and decided to save his own political career by bailing with most of his reputation intact.

I'm not sure if that's more or less depressing than the other explanations...

[kostya]

3. There's something to this. Where do I apply for a partial refund?

:eyes:

[smirkymonkey]

4. When the fuck is Kerry going to answer to us, his supporters?

The longer he stays silent, the less respect I have for him. I hate to say it, but I really don't think he is going to come through. And if he doesn't, I hope his career is finished.

[buff2]

7. You guys need to lay off of him

How the hell would YOU feel if you got your ass kicked by the worlds biggest moron and fuck-up? That would be pretty hard to accept,IMHO.

[smirkymonkey]

14. He's a lifelong POLITICIAN - losing elections is part of the

deal. He knew what he was getting in to when he signed on. I refuse to feel SORRY for him.

A true leader does not put his own petty needs before those of whom he serves. I don't blame him for losing, but I have a hard time with the fact that he has just abandoned his supporters, including people who put THEIR lives on hold to help elect him.

Unless he comes up with something big in the next month or two, I predict his career is as good as over. He betrayed his base and he certainly isn't going to win enough people over from the dark side to make up for it.

[Ducks In A Row]

6. never gave money to kerry, just to moveon

I just never trusted kerry. I guess I was right not to.

[KayLaw]

10. I feel this way

I gave more than $25 and alienated some neighbors and friends. It's more than Kerry. If this keeps up, I can't see having elections anymore.

[demnan]

12. I have to admit

I was angry that Kerry conceded so soon. Now that he has I think it's a done deal. I wouldn't look for a fight after that. It really is time to move on.

I removed the bumpersticker and yard sign and I'm going to concentrate on local elections for the next four years.