Please read this message....

[movonne]

THE DEMOCRATS
>
> JOHNNY QUEST - The Democrats are also alienating a section of their own
> party from within by reducing Dennis Kucinich to near-invisibility. With
> little money or positive press, Kucinich continues to attract voters in
> Democratic primaries: 17% in Oregon, 25% in Maine, 30% in Colorado, and,
> most recently, 50% in Alaska. Note that Oregon, Maine, and Colorado are
> considered swing states, and Alaska is considered solidly Republican.
> So, in
> addition to making some concessions to Naderites, the Democrats can
> solidify
> their position by drawing upon the talent, support, and diversity
> present
> within their own organization.

THIS MESSAGE SHOULD GET OUT TO OUR PARTY..THIS ELECTION IS MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY WITH NEWS VIA WASHINGTON POST, TORTURE, CIA, AMACO LEAKING NOW.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Don't see how it matters

Kerry is going to win without making concessions to Naderites.

I also don't see the significance of Kucinich numbers in primaries AFTER Kerry has already sewn up the nomination. Kinda pointless.

[K-W]

2. Blame the democrats first eh?

Yes yes, Im sure its the democrats fault that something completely un-newsworthy is getting no national attention.

And did it ever occurr to you that Nader doesnt want to concede?

[Cicero]

3. I'm not surprised...

...that, now that the nomination is all but in the bag for Kerry, very few people would show up at the various remaining Democratic primaries, and if the Kucinich team is able to wip up their die-hards to go out to vote, of course, Kucinich will have a strong showing.

Yeah, 50% is a pretty good showing, but if only 1% of Democrats bothered to vote, it hardly constitutes a groundswell of support.

(And, actually, isn't Alaska's primary actually in August? Big feat to be able to know you'll get 50%. Or did the Democratic party have a caucus or something like that?)

Later,

[no name no slogan]

9. Primary may be August, but delegates are decided at CAUCUSES

In MN, we have a September primary, but our caucuses are in Feb/Mar. THAT is when our delegates are elected, and our candidates endorsed. In many cases, the primary is an afterthought/formality-- depending on whether or not the candidates abide by the endorsement process.

However, it still makes a good point: the Democrats need the progressive/activist vote more than they need us.

To them, we're just "politicians" who only care about their votes every two years. We spend 23 months ignoring their issue(s), and grovel that last month for their vote. They pay lip-service to our causes, but more often than not don't follow through, citing a need to be "moderate" and "pragmatic".

One thing too many Democrats overlook is that most of these people have a lot of experience in community activism and grassroots organizing. They KNOW how to get out the vote, and how to motivate apathetic voters. They bring the knowledge of the neighborhoods and the passion of conviction that so many political hacks lack.

And the funny thing is, they're practically ours for the asking. They certainly agree with the Dems more than the Republicans. All we have to do is LISTEN to them, and give them our support on their issues in return for their votes.

To ignore this bloc in yet another expensive attempt to get the moderate Republican vote is not only wrongheaded, but a waste of resources, too.

[Jane Austin]

4. Don't mean to be a griper, but why should anybody read a message

that doesn't give any clues as to its content in the subject line?

[H2O Man]

5. It is equally important

for the group(s) you mention to make concessions to the democratic party. I think that most of the posts from the Dennis K folks have been insightful and of benefit to the combined left/democratic movement to remove bush from office. I must say, recognizing that I am not fully objective, that I have not seen a similar level of positive energy on the Naderite's part. And last, I have seen people who have their own strange agendas who attempt to use both Dennis K. and Nader in divisive ways.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Kucinich should not be shut out

That having been said, there is something which needs to be understood: The near-invisibility of Dennis Kucinich has been blamed on the media, the DNC, the DLC, Kerry and/or a combination of all.

Speaking as someone who was inside the campaign, someone who speaks daily with former campaign high-ups, I can tell you without reservation that a huge, huge reason why Kucinich's campaign didn't go anywhere was because of the candidate himself.

Before you go beating on your fellow Democrats/liberals/progressives about the status of Dennis, take into account the flaws and failures of the candidate and his campaign. They are many, and multifaceted, and led inexorably to his marginalized status.

Kucinich should not be shut out, but he didn't do a whole hell of a lot to position himself. Trust me. I was there.

[H2O Man]

8. I speculating, but ....

... if there were a significant faction of supporters backing him at this time, they would be donating enough funds for him to put a few commercials on tv & radio. He is a fascinating character, and added an important voice to the primaries. And, if we work very hard, at some future time the nation might listen closer to a good and decent person with a gentle message. But we're not there yet, not even close.

[sandnsea]

7. Kucinich has to join the campaign

And so do his supporters. They haven't. It's kind of like a little kid crying in the sandbox because nobody will let him play in the pool. Did he go over to the pool and try to get in? 9 times out of 10, nope. Get in the pool. But even then, one person is one person and shouldn't expect everybody to stop playing marco polo if he wants to swim laps.