Edwards supporters still have a voice

Should we leave the party, as has been suggested by some here? I think this is the last thing Edwards wants.

Does it make any sense at all for Edwards supporters to go away, fade into the background, so we have no influence on the agenda of the Democratic Party? If we give up, we abandon the party to big-money corporate Democrats. We need to stay active and involved. A refocusing on the poor and the middle class by the democratic party should be the legacy of John Edwards' noble but ultimately doomed run for the presidency in 2008.

Obama and Clinton are not simply Republicans in Democrats' clothing. They are moderate Democrats who, whatever their supposed character flaws, will be far, far better than the alternative. A small but important number of progressives bought Nader's claim that Gore was no different than Bush in 2000. Now that we've lived with the consequences of this kind of thinking, let's not get fooled again.

Not supporting the nominee of our party because Edwards is "the only one" who could defeat McCain is a quixotic and potentially self-fulfilling prophesy. The race will tighten up, and McCain still isn't having to answer the tough questions about where he was during the Bush years. We can beat McCain by identifying him with the failed policies of the Bush administration. McCain and Clinton or Obama are basically tied right now. McCain has a long, long record, and has said and done many things that are unpopular. Once the public sees McCain for the stale, musty conservative he really is, he will be repudiated. It's time for a change, and the 79 year-old Washington insider does not represent change.

I supported Jackson in '88, the first presidential election in which I could vote. Did I run screaming from politics when the party nominated Dukakis, someone I thought was obviously flawed and unelectable? No. I won't do it now, either, and neither should any other of John Edwards' supporters. No matter what, win or lose, fighting the fight against whatever style of authoritarian conservative the Republicans nominate is far more important than being "right" about the best candidate in the primary.

If Obama is the nominee, it will be Barak Hussein Obama all the time. I don't like to have to bet against the narrow-mindedness and stupidity of the American people. Who'd a thunk it--there's a black candidate for the presidency, and it looks like his biggest negative is that his middle name is Hussein.

Clinton is the corporate establishment Democrat. Normally, we expect primary candidates to appeal to the base of the party. Clinton has done little to reach out to progressives, so what can we expect from her as president?

Where does this leave progressives? We have two alternatives: exit or voice. I prefer to take the voice option. You have to dance with the one that brung you at some point. If we don't stay involved, the only ones left sitting at the table will be corporations. We have a far better chance of balancing the budget, getting out of Iraq and getting universal health care under Obama or Clinton than under McCain or Romney. Would I be happier with Edwards or Kucinich? Of course. But the nation, our children's generation, cannot endure eight more years of destructive and authoritarian Republican rule. Leaving the party and politics in a fit of pique isn't an option. We have to see this through, even if, as McCain has it, it takes 100 years.

Voted and kicked!

but I'll vote for the nominee in Nov... to do otherwise is madness.

We are left with two coporatists who are not that different from McCain. And both tainted with scandal.Oddly the Clintons fare better in comparison to the other camp but neither are anything to be inspired by. I have zero confidence that either will do much for anyone other than themselves. I am not sure I agree that any of this makes a difference anymore.

This has been the worst primary I have ever seen in my over 30 years of campaigning.I feel filthy and need a shower.I need to recoup and it won't be in politics.

I am still voting for him in my primary.

Thanks for asking though. :hi:

she "can't believe it will come down to choosing between a woman and a Muslim".

:banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck. :banghead: fuck.

when your middle name is Hussein. If Obama plays it right and reveals this to be the politics of ethnic and religious hatred, he could fight back. Otherwise, the Muslim swiftboating will be damned effective.

I've been supporting them for the last 16 years as a volunteer, party official and donor. The last 8 years have pretty much been a wasted effort. Things have only gotten worse, so I'm taking a break.

My money and work have been wasted. Any effort expended for the next 4 years at least, will also be wasted effort. My kids are growing older and so am I, I've got better things to do with my life right now and I need to plan and save for my future and theirs.

If someone wants me to help with a campaign, they can hire me and pay me a salary.

If someone wants me to advocate for an issue, they can hire me as a lobbyist. Those things I will consider.

Lived in Springfield, MO for a couple of years--liked the place and the people, hated the political landscape.

As far as being an activist, I think many share your opinion. I fully understand that many Edwards supporters feel that, if the Clinton and Obama people are as stoked by the optimism of their candidates' campaigns as they claim, they can pick up the ball and run with it. God knows neither one needs any of our money, because they are bought and paid for. I'll still work as hard as I can with a 3-year old son and another kid expected in October, but some folks are talking about not even voting for the nominee, which I think is beyond the pale. The stakes are too high for that sort of protest.

"They are moderate Democrats who, whatever their supposed character flaws, will be far, far better than the alternative."


Thanks for trying to cheer this Edwards supporter up, but I bought this line in 2006 and Pelosi and Reid were worse than any republican could ever be because they did evil to my party as well as my nation.


"A small but important number of progressives bought Nader's claim that Gore was no different than Bush in 2000. Now that we've lived with the consequences of this kind of thinking, let's not get fooled again."

Nader was right and so was George Carlin: its all one big club for the rich and we aren't invited. How can we "not get fooled again" by voting for more corporatism?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KReZyAZLI0&feature=related

They are right-wing, in the sense that they represent the Lieberman wing of the party (though both are better on the war than Gore's 2000 VP pick).

I fully agree with your assessment about having to choose between two brands of corporatism. That being said, if, under either, there's a shot at getting national health care and getting out of Iraq, then they will be better than the party of God, guns and Gitmo. There's corporatism, and then there's corporofascism. The current batch of Republicans represent the latter. We must act to save the republic.

For my nose?

Thanks also for that link.

-- not Edwards per se. As you say, taking our ball and going home just because our favored candidate is bowing out would be ridiculous.

Thanks for this excellent post.
:toast:

about the poor, about the disadvantaged. they care for no one but themselves. and I ... WILL ... NOT ... VOTE ... FOR ... EITHER ... OF ... THEM. now that would be throwing my vote away. more of the same? no thanks.

I'm getting jack squat from our Dem "majority". Let us eat cake I guess.....

Sigh. Remember when Dems gave a shit about the disadvantaged?

And that's why I am disgusted beyond words at what has happened to my party.

Our supposed "two-party" system absolutely sucks. We would be so much better off in a parliamentary system where many voices can be heard. We need a party that stands up for average PEOPLE, dammit, not corporations and the wealthy.

Awwww Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit

that the party USED to be about the working middle class, but it wasn't any more. It has lost its way.

from both Obama and Clinton to make poverty a centerpiece of our party's policy under their administrations.

snip

"We do not know who will take the final steps to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history. We will be strong, we will be unified, and with our convictions and a little backbone we will take back the White House in November and we'll create hope and opportunity for this country."

snip

For what it's worth.

Anyway, I know you've seen it, but here's the text you mention (i.e. the bit wherein Edwards addresses the growing DLCification of our party) for anyone who's missed it, along with the link to the rest of the speech on Edwards' blog.

"We know that our brothers and sisters have been bullied into believing that they can't organize and can't put a union in the workplace. Well, in this campaign, we didn't turn our heads. We looked them square in the eye and we said, "We see you, we hear you, and we are with you. And we will never forget you." And I have a feeling that if the leaders of our great Democratic Party continue to hear the voices of working people, a proud progressive will occupy the White House.

Now, I've spoken to both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. They have both pledged to me and more importantly through me to America, that they will make ending poverty central to their campaign for the presidency.

And more importantly, they have pledged to me that as President of the United States they will make ending poverty and economic inequality central to their Presidency. This is the cause of my life and I now have their commitment to engage in this cause."

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2008/1/30/141643/656

I have stated that I will take a fresh look at both candidates -- and I will be looking to see how much of his message they are willing to stand behind.

He still gets my vote in the primary.

Read about it here, if you have not already.

http://projectonstudentdebt.org/initiative_page_view.php?initiative_idx=&initiative_page_idx=20

CCRAA. It's this Congress' only real accomplishment. It did do something for people who are disadvantaged--when I took out all those student loans to go to school, I was a 22 year old factory worker, and now I've an earned doctorate. Now, for some people, this is a big deal. It will save my family from undergoing penury for, well, forever.

For many more people, however, it's nothing at all. No cake for you, unless you like store-brand twinkies.