Please advise a hardworking Dem

[mdmc]

I got into Dean around Feb., when there was no one against the war but second tier Democrats. I pitched Dean to my committiee, carried lit. while petitioning for local 2003 candidates, attended meetups and peace protests... the works!
All that time local big wig Dems where laughing at me, telling me that Dean has no "legs", that he was "unelectable", telling me that we would be drafting Hillary and Gore.
Now Dean is the only game in town (well, not true. We still have tons of local Leiberman / Kerry / Clark supporters). My Congressman has endorsed him. All these big wigs are now on board and running Deans local campaign / petition process! I was unable to secure a 'pledged to Dean' DNC delegate spot, and I have no posistion within the campaign.
The Kucinich team has asked me to be a delegate for them.
Should I bail on Dean and join Kucinich's (sinking) ship?
Should I help both candidates, while supporting my Congresspersons delegate slate (which is all "pro war" democrats that are pledged to Dean).
Should I help both, but run as an anti war delegate pledged to Kucinich?
Should I just help Dean?

Any advice that my right honorable friends at Du could offer to me would be appreciated. :dem:

[neuvocat]

1. Where can you do the most good?

That would be my criteria. Dean is great but is it possible that some of the issues important to Kucinich might get more exposure with your involvement?

[quaker bill]

2. Let your conscience be your guide.

So far, mine leads me to support Dean.

[rucky]

3. If you could be a delegate...

I don't see how you could pass that up.

It's not like Kucinich is going to threaten Dean's chances... nor would you seem to be going against your principles re: Iraq & getting squeezed out of the Dean camp - despite yer hard work.

[mdmc]

7. well

I would have to run against the hand picked delegates of my Congressman. I love my Congressman, and would rather not ever oppose him. He is just that good!
I also don't want to go to some super cool crunchy dems house, and have to hear, "Bush Lite - we need a candidate that is for fair trade (as opposed to free), criminal justice reform (no drug war or death penalty), and peace. Show me Kucinich!" I like Dean up against Bush, but I like Kucinich up against the posistions.

[arewethereyet]

4. work on more local projects

they need the help more and its not just for the hoi paloi

[Virgil]

5. You should at least understand Kucinich

My personal belief is that the PTB see Dean as the Democratic counterpart to Bush to preserve the recently gained Wealthfare. I think that the WOD is a good perspective to see what people think on the subject of liberty and the courage to admit failure and the wrong we are doing in Colombia and throughtout Latin America.

What Kucinich is saying is worth studying and if I could chose the next president it would be Kucininch on the simple perspective that he is for the people and not the corporate interest. He is the one that is different and what he says needs to pierce the media blockade that the plutocracy does not want heard much less elected.

[Ksec]

6. I volunteer for most of them

Thats how strong I feel about Democrats. I have donated to most of them also. Probably why my email is swamped for requests. Anyway go where you can do the most good like the other poster said. I will narrow it down as the campaign unfolds/

[mdmc]

8. that works

what do you think i sthe most good? Backing Dean or backing progressive issues? I know that I'll be voting for Kucinich. DU might hate to hear this, but I always vote for the canidate that is right on the issues, Nader and all. :dem: What I want is the Democratic party to be right.

[Ksec]

10. Thats a decision youll have to make but

if it were me I would help a candidate over a issue.

[MrSoundAndVision]

11. If you are sincere

than you must go Kucinich, and not work for Dean. It's that simple and you know it. What do you want, to be right next May when the candidate is nominated? Take a chance, nobody's going to fault you if you don't pick the winner, they will if you vote against your own beliefs. Get behind Kucinich, and leave Yale boy behind.

[JohnKleeb]

17. I dont hate to hear that!

I want the party right on the issues. :shrug: honestly if the war is important to you, I would choose Kucinich, I got a bias I admit.

[MrSoundAndVision]

9. You should absolutely not

go with both, I'm not sure what the Dean people would say, but I'm absolutely certain that the Kucinich people wouldn't let you do both, so you'd have to lie to them, thus you wouldn't really be fit for the job.

And actually, Kucinich's "ship" isn't sinking, it has only one way to go: progress! He started at the bottom, he's at 2%, and rising. And let me say this, if you think Kucinich is going to lose, and you don't have the optimistic attitude this campaign requires, than you're not fit for leadership (at least in the Kucinich camp). So stay with Dean, and win, and be the smartest looking guy on the block if you win.

And then if Kucinich wins, you can say, wow I almost worked for him: still the smartest looking guy on the street. Win win!

[TXvote]

12. What IS The Goal?

Participating is a beautiful thing. And in the Dem ring you are going to have to expect a loosley organized flux of power and position within the campaigns. One thing about the GOP they sure are damn organized and make it real clear what you need to do to climb. Almost eerie...

Anyway, the question is where do you want to go that would be exciting and productive. Sounds like you are chafing a bit after the local Dean shake up. The Dean campaign expects a high level of loyalty (as do most). All the campaigns will involve passionate people you are likely to butt heads with. Are you willing to shake off the past, slap on a smile, and go for a ride? Then stick it out with Dean, that's where your commitment is. Campaigns are about commitment.

If it's the convention you desire, there are others ways to go and participate in important ways. You might not get to vote, but there is a hell of a lot more that is happening in Boston next year. Many issues organizations will be sending people to meet with delegates etc. If you leap to an issues campaign, be clear about your goal of attending the DNC and ask about plausability.

Issues campaigns are a beautiful way to address the political climate outside of campaign. For one thing, they last longer. For another, there are varying limits on how much fun you can have with a fiesty artistic issues campaign. I love people who are committed to issues campaigns. Passion is a beautiful thing.

Whatever you do, go for it. Sounds like you haev a lot of energy and passion for democracy. America needs that.

Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com

[Ksec]

13. great post Teresa

[mdmc]

14. Yeah, thanks Teresa

:dem: Welcome to DU by the way!

[TXvote]

15. No, thanks to you

I was a little sceptical about joining another board. Frankly I am fed up with belly aching and was concerned there would be a lack of solution seeking and I just would rather not be disillusioned any more than I have been recently. Truth is, the dialogue has been quite heartening just when I needed more hope for America and the world. Ok a bit sappy, but I am really worried about where we are headed as a planet. DU has been good for my head and my heart. I have been warmly welcomed and stimulated to consider a few new points of view. What could be nicer than hope for the future?

Thanks,
Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com

PS how many posts does it take to get to the center of a PM?

[absolutezero]

16. i'd say help dean

If he's the candidate you really want to see win the nomination then help him out

[TXvote]

18. The Personality Wars are Breaking My Heart

I have decided to dedicate my energies to GOTV in a very different way. Unemployed for way too long I took a leap and created a marketing tool that anyone can use called VoterVirgin: Everybody's Doin' It In '04. It is non partisan, because our greatest hope is coming together outside the parties and for America.

I have strong personal feelings about the Dem candidates, yet do not feel ready to commit to the primary selection. 2000 and 2002 broke my heart. When I commit it is with all my being. I am committed to overturning Biff Co, but will let the candidate be chosen without breaking a sweat (yet). THEN they can have me.

If Tom DeLay runs again I am committed to working in his district for his opponent as well. Whoever that may be, DeLay has got to be brought down.

Peace,
Teresa
www.votervirgin.com