Anyone else feeling just as more and more "unmoved" by the Dems as I am?

[Gloria]

It's not that I dislike any of them. But, after all the buildup to Clark, I find myself totally unaffected. And beyond that, probably LESS passionate about any of them than I have been in the recent past.

At first, I really liked Kerry. He seems a bit faded now. Dean...loved his blunt approach...but still, not committed to him. Clark--can see plenty of RW attacks that will be easy to deliver and possibly a little too convoluted to explain away to the average guy. Love Mosely-Braun, Kucinich, OK, Gephardt no real interest, Edwards very good but will be swept away like Braun, Sharpton--love listening, but know the Brawley story from when it happened...Joe Lieberman, no way.

I think I know what the problem is, though. I guess I'm still, deep down, a Gore woman. I'm still angry about 2000 and transferring that energy off Gore to a "substitute" loses something along the way. I'm wondering if this lack of "passion" among enough people will work against Dems.

Will I vote? Of course. Will I volunteer? Probably. But, I don't know...
I'm just finding the thrill is gone...

[Wetzelbill]

1. In all honesty I'm pretty pumped up about them

[billbuckhead]

2. I'm as excited about Clark as any candidate I've ever promoted

I also like Kerry, Edwards, Graham and Kucinich. I like them a lot. I still wish Gore was the candidate, but Clark might be even better.

[Raenelle]

21. Same with me. Lots of great candidates, and Clark is the cream

of the crop.

[blm]

3. I'm not...but, what you're going through sounds like

"played out" syndrome.

The simple fact is that we never had an election or a primary that so many people like us focused on before in one place. I only wish that the candidates were covered more fairly, honestly and equally, so that the isues could be discussed in detail instead of the horserace that the media is foisting upon us. A race where they control who crosses the finish line.

[leftofthedial]

4. I think this is the most interesting, diverse and energized slate

of candidates we have had in a generation.

Several have no shot at winning and a couple I just don't like, but all in all they have some great progressive ideas, interesting personalities and passion.

[Wetzelbill]

18. Amen

I'm a DK man, but these guys all have some good things to say. (and our lady too) Lieberman is, uh, so so, but you know he's better than what we have. Sharpton is sharp tongued and quick witted, but has no shot at all, however I like him. Mosely-Braun is a wonderful woman, unfortunately she's both black and female, which ensures that she'll never get the much prized "bigoted chauvinist" vote. All of the rest of the crew, I just love them all. Sure you can nitpick and none of them are perfect, but this is a diverse crew of smart candidates with lots of great ideas. Personally, I think Edwards will catch fire. That guy has big-time written all over him. He'll be a major force for years whether he becomes President or not.

[movonne]

5. I think maybe there is to many in the race right now

maybe when it gets narrowed down to a few, you might get a little more moved. I also like them all that I'm sorta of waiting for one to emerge and then I will get really moved.

[alcuno]

6. They get a fake general and we get a real one.

If you don't find delicious irony in that, I don't know what will make you smile. And then there's Dr. Dean, who alone is responsible for changing the debate. What a choice we have; it's like having to decide between lobster and filet mignon.

[latebloomer]

7. I just don't believe

that anyone I REALLY like and respect could be electable. Yes, hopefully the pendulum will swing away from this right-wing madness. But I do believe that there are shadowy powers that decide who will be the candidate, that you need to be in league with these dark forces to get elected, and that things are not gonna change all that much because Big Money controls everything.

Call me cynical, but that is how I feel.

[w4rma]

10. shadowy powers = board members on multiple big corporations, IMHO (n/t)

[Suspicious]

13. Cynical? Maybe...

...I do believe that there are shadowy powers that decide who will be the candidate, that you need to be in league with these dark forces to get elected, and that things are not gonna change all that much because Big Money controls everything.

but the fact that you are an admitted cynic does nothing to negate the reality of the smoke and mirrors show that is American politics. :)

[haymaker]

8. It worked on you, I just hope

it doesn't work on a couple million more voters.

[KoKo]

9. Yes, Gloria.....I understand..........

There's not much else to say...try as hard as I can......you sort of summed it up. I'm not over 2000. Everything els just seems like "make it fit" a square peg in round hole, a round peg in a square hole......

Something is still left out there from 2000 crying out for resolve. For some of us....I guess it will never go away. And, your list of candidates and reasons....is pretty much my own.

Lets have a :toast: to Memories........ there, that makes me feel better..there's someone else.

[ablbodyed]

11. Any one of them...

is infinitely better than ANY Repug (and I used to be one {a Goldwaterite. Remember what he said about gays in the military?: They don't have to be straight, all they have to do is shoot straight. He had his faults, and we can trace the beginnings of the scum we have now to him, but he was NOT hateful, and REALLY moderates his views later })
My take on the present group:


Lieberman: ONLYONLYONLY as a last resort

Dean: Like what he says, but they'll kill him on the gay thing, even though he's right.

Gephardt: Good on labor issues, but dull and an easy target

Kucinich: The only real Democrat, but unelectable MORE'S THE PITY

Graham: Good on war, but the charisma of a rocking chair

Sharpton: fun guy, would lose 50 states, get DC's 3 electoral votes

Mosley-Brown: You go girl, but might not get DC's votes

Kerry: Would give good fight, but....

Edwards: Like him though a little slick

Clark: The Knight in shining armor?!!? Don't know enough, but first impression is very positive.

If I left anybody out, sorry.

For sheer oratory, and ABSOLUTE fidelity to Democartic principles nobody can top Mario Cuomo: I always weep when he speaks because he engages my heart, as well as my mind.

[Terwilliger]

12. uhhhhh....

nahhhhhhh I just LURVE Democrats :-)

No, really! No seriously! I'm not kidding! :eyes:

[MGKrebs]

14. I happen to be re-energized.

My candidate was in town on Monday, and I was very pleased about (OK, excited by) his performance.

And I am happy to report that Dean is NOT short. He seemed at LEAST average height to me. (FWIW)

I also would like to say, I continue to be impressed with their ability to run a campaign.

[obietiger]

15. I am feeling more and more

enthused by most of the Democrat candidates. Gephardt and Lieberman are my least favorite but I see good in both of them.

[gristy]

16. I think you may be just a little burned out

Take a break. Something will re-energize you at some point and you'll be back into things with lots of energy.

Passion is non-partisan. Regardless of your party, you can get energized and you can get tired. The candidates have quite a bit to do with that, and fortunately we have some pretty good ones.

[MoonRiver]

17. I don't agree with you. I'm incredibly excited about Clark.

I'll be his campaign "boots on the ground" anytime he wants. This guy is awesome. I wish he'd entered earlier, but I still believe he can sweep the primaries, and then sweep the floor with Junior's sorry arse.

[starscape]

19. No offense, but about Gore...

I apologize to Gore fans ahead of time, but what was there to be passionate about with him? He's not a bad man, nor would he be a bad president, but to me he was about as exciting as a rock. I wanted to see somebody, anybody else emerge in 2000 to wake up the liberal in me.

I had to get my passion from Jesse Jackson at the Democratic Convention.

I'm backing Clark right now, and he's no firebrand either, but I like his credentials and he at least is somewhat animated (!) on TV.. and I love Dean's spirit. I still want a Clark/Dean or Dean/Clark ticket.

Okay, sorry to slam Gore. It strange how people can find different things to be passionate about.

[MGKrebs]

20. The funny thing about that is...

I remember a speech Gore gave at a Chicago church, during the campaign, that was broadcast on the radio. He was on fire! Comparable to Jesse at his finest (and I like Jesse's speaking a lot. I still have his speech at the '88 convention on tape).

I found myself hoping and believing that Gore would get that passionate again as the campaign went along. Alas... he was capable of it, just didn't use it.

[maha]

22. It's called "age"

I don't fall in love with politicians any more, but that's me.

For a while people said the same thing about the Dems who ran in 1992; all mutts. Clinton was one of them.

[MISSDem]

23. After Bill Clinton it's like

Ted said in "Hearts in Atlantis" - "...and that kiss is the one that you will judge all others by.'''

[HFishbine]

24. Gee

I don't know that I can explain it but I have an almost completely opposite view. I'm still angry about 2000, and if Gore had decided to run again, I probably would have voted for him again.

But when I look at the current crop, I'm enthused -- and it's not just because any would be better than Bush. I'm hearing some real passion, some real intelligence and much of what most of the candidates are saying is resonnating with me.

Have you wathced a debate yet? Hearing one intelligent person after another, each with his or her own style, speak to the real issues makes me want to sing. I don't know what it would take for you to share that enthusiasm, maybe just a little more time and attention...?