If He Is Nominated, I Will Work Like a Demon To Get Dean Elected

[DoveTurnedHawk]

Today, I've been mulling the probable SEIU *AND* AFSCME endorsements of Howard Dean for President. I certainly do not think this ensures Dean's nomination. I certainly think Clark still has a good shot at winning the whole thing. That said, it's obvious that these two endorsements would be a big boost for Dean.

The prospect of Dean winning the Democratic nomination has been a troubling one for me. I have some concerns about his electability. I have some concerns about his integrity. I've shared these honest concerns on occasion here, although not to any truly negative or inappropriate extent, IMO. Regardless, I've also said that I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Dean as the nominee, that I'd definitely vote for him, but I wasn't sure how much more I'd do.

I started thinking about that today. As a fanatic Clark supporter, I've always criticized fanatic supporters of other candidates to the extent they've incessantly trashed Clark, or vowed not to vote for him if he is our nominee. I've criticized them because in my opinion they were letting a "cult of personality" mentality override their common sense, their certain knowledge that it is imperative to eject George W. Bush from the White House.

I value intellectual honesty and detest hypocrisy. I realized today that if I do anything less than my best for Dean if he is our nominee, I will effectively be guilty of the same or similar thing that I have criticized about fanatic supporters of other candidates.

Yes, I suppose I could vote for Dean but otherwise stay home, and not donate to him, and not try to raise money for him, and not volunteer for him, and still technically avoid branding myself as a hypocrite. But that would be following the "letter of the law" (and by "law," I'm referring to my own personal code of ethics) rather than the "spirit of the law," and my conscience would not let me rest easy if I chose that route.

Nothing is more important than ousting George W. Bush. If Dean receives our party's nomination, I will work like a demon to get him elected, despite all of my concerns. There's pretty much only one thing that could change my mind, and that's if Dean goes nuclear on Clark (and yes, that even means I'd be willing to ignore the occasional petty or snide comment that Dean has made, and might continue to make, about Clark).

If Dean goes nuclear on Clark, I'd have to revisit matters. Hopefully, however, this won't be an issue. Because at the end of the day, our enemy is George W. Bush, and not each other.

Congratulations to Howard Dean for securing the SEIU endorsement, and for probably securing the AFSCME endorsement.

:toast:

DTH

[neuvocat]

1. Likewise.

[robsul82]

2. Exxxxxxxxxcellent...

...class act, just like your man. ;)

Later.

RJS

[Capn Sunshine]

3. Thanks from all of the Dean fans

working very hard to make this happen. I among them. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

By the same token, if Clark gets the nod, I would work equally as hard for him.

Let's hoist a glass to two very formidable candidates.
:toast: back atcha.

[robsul82]

4. Oh yeah, forgot...

...I'd do the same for Clark. Huzzah!

:toast:

Later.

RJS

[Lefty48197]

5. I second that emotion

Dean's not my first choice, but if he gets the nomination, I'll sure as hell vote for him in November, as I will for whichever Democrat gets the nomination.
I'm also a big admirer of John Sweeney leader of the SEIU (talk about a GREAT Presidential candidate!). I'm not sure if he's the head of the AFL-CIO right now, or if it's a foregone conclusion that he WILL be the head of the AFL-CIO, but I do think the two endorsements are actually ONE endorsement, albeit ONE VERY BIG endorsement.
Go Democratic nominee, whomever you will be.

[sfecap]

8. John Sweeney heads the AFLCIO.

Andrew Stern heads the SEIU.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. if nominated

dean will have the most enthusiasm on the street that a nominee for any party has seen in years

[frank frankly]

7. magnificently said and so damn true

The GOP has never seen the likes of the demons it has created!

My blood, bones, muscle, molecules...all to defeat Bush in 2004. Nothing else matters.

Are we a democracy or an empire? Thanks, DTH, for this excellent post.

And I will fight to have Clark on the ticket if Dean wins. Clark is the real deal.

:hi:

[KaraokeKarlton]

9. I'm guessing that Clark is still on Dean's "short list" for the VP slot

And I'm glad that Clark is in the race. He actually helps Dean by pulling support from Kerry, who would otherwise be the biggest threat. I think that between Clark being in the race, and these union endorsements that both Gephardt and Kerry will end up dropping out early on rather than face humiliation after losing the states where they should do best. Once they're gone, I think Clark and Dean should join forces...Dean for president, Clark for VP and essentially band their supporters together and eliminate the rest of the field. Dean is one hell of a great executive leader. Clark has the military and foreign policy experience. Clark's major weakness is his lack of executive political experience. He'd get that experience as VP and would go on to win in 2012 and keep the GOP out of power. We need to plan ahead like this. Dean is very similar to Clinton on economic issues, and you could expect the same kind of economy under Dean. However, Dean won't bring the scandals to the white house. These two together as I've pointed out would be unstoppable. As supporters of Dean and Clark, we have got to do our best NOT to alienate each other.

[polpilot]

28. Graham.

.

[MGKrebs]

10. Really well said DTH.

And I pledge to work hard for Clark if he becomes the nominee.

I have similar concerns regarding Clark. I just have not been able to get comfortable with him vis a vis possibly being a DLC Hail Mary, but even if that is the case, it is better than shrub, and it is quite possible that the DLC connection is NOT the case.

Your dedication and effort in support of your candidate is impressive and admirable.

PS- Where is Clark on the matching funds thing? Would he opt out if the circumstances were right? Does any Dem have a realistic chance if they don't?

[incapsulated]

11. Agreed

And I think a Dean/Clark or Clark/Dean ticket would be great, whoever gets the nod.

Let's not put the candidate above the cause. We must beat Bush, period!

[meti57b]

12. Great post, thanks!! If Dean gets the nomination, I'll work hard and

contribute bucks for his election.

[Hawkeye-X]

13. Thank you, DTH! It is also my hope..

that Dean has Clark on his short list of VP candidates. Both Clark and Graham are certainly tops on his list, so here's to :toast: on both Dean and Clark, and of course the Clark supporters not attacking Dean as well as Dean supporters not attacking Clark. I think there's a huge mutual respect for each other!

Of course, if Clark gets the nomination, I'll campaign in Colorado for him!

Hawkeye-X

[MoonAndSun]

14. thanks for the post, I will work hard to get our nominee...

whoever it may be..... elected President in 2004.

[RetroLounge]

15. Dammit DTH, you piss me off with your Clark Fanaticism

and then you go and post this wonderful post!

and by doing so you make the rest of us, from all candidates, look at our own thoughts and beliefs and fanaticism, and what we are willing to do.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if Clark get the Nomination, especially with Dean ahead like he is now, I vow to turn all my energy and passion, and what ever money I have left, to the Clark campaign, and we will ride GWB* out of Washington on a rail.

:pals:

p.s. This goes for any candidate. ABB!

[MercutioATC]

16. Thanks, Dove. It's nice to see good feelings spread around for a change

I agree that Clark has a great shot at the nomination. Since he's announced, I've been reading all I can on him and one of the things I like most about him is one of the things I like about Dean. Clark isn't polished. When he talks, you don't get the feeling that he's just saying things, you feel that he really means it. I'd like to see more policy statements from him, but he's impressed me so far.

[lancdem]

17. Excellent post, DTH

I vow to do the same!

[cmd]

18. I will support the Democratic nominee

Whether it's my first choice does not enter into the equation. I will wholeheartedly support the choice of my party.

[tedoll78]

19. Despite some minor skirmishes here..

there seems to be real connection between the Deanies and the Clarkies here at DU. Very interesting.

[NashVegas]

20. There Is Every Chance

They'll be on the same ticket, although in what configuration remains to be seen.

There are a number of people with vested interests in seeing Dean and Clark supporters at each others' throats, the thought of such a ticket scares them that much.

[proud patriot]

21. Same goes for the rest for me

All of our Candidates would do a better job than bush .

[David Zephyr]

22. Wow!

What a gracious and powerful post. General Clark impressed me a lot during the last Rock the Vote forum. He has permanently put to rest any concerns about his not being ready or comfortable in a role of national politics. General Clark's public condemnation of Bush's signing legislation removing choices between a woman and her physician really got my attention. And Clark's stinging criticism today of Bush's assault on the environment was terrific.

[ronzo]

23. You hit the nail on the head, DTH...

Let's oust whistleass, there's the bottom line.

[guitar man]

26. Let's just get Shrub out..........

Before we all starve to death!

[Mattforclark]

24. Very nice post

I share your sentiments.

Clark '04. If not, then whoever makes a campaign pledge to spend the least amount of time at Crawford has my vote.

[LuCifer]

25. WHOEVER is nominated, I'll Work Like a Demon To Get 'em Elected!!!

I don't care if the Dem's nominate Bozo The Clown, the end result MUST be this: THE DEMOCRATS MUST WIN IN 2004. Or, America WILL be DESTROYED.

[Minstrel Boy]

27. Bravo!

Regardless of what happens in the Winter and Spring, seeing something like this now gives me great hope that you folks'll pull together and work like hell in the Fall. It's what your country and our world needs.

[gardenista]

29. If Clark is nominated, I will return the sentiment.

I've been what you might call a loyal, generous Dean supporter. I do my bit with posting literature, tabling, and a little other organizing.

I think we're looking at either Dean or Clark winning the nomination. I will devote every extra moment I have to getting either one elected once they have secured the nomination. The same goes for Kerry, Edwards or Gep. (I have a fondness for DK, CMB and AS, but I'm being realistic here.)

The only one I won't bust my back for is Leiberman, and I don't think I need to worry about that possibility.

So, if you guy takes it, I'll be behind him with every bit of fervor I've supported Dean, and more.

[Tatiana]

30. Agreed.

Though I did send off a letter, as a member of AFSCME, to national headquarters asking them to wait a bit to endorse a candidate.

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Likewise

I just got on board with Clark, before that I was seriously considering Dean. Clark won me over. That said, I will also "Work Like a Demon To Get Dean Elected" if he wins the nomination.

[robsul82]

32. Whatever it takes...

...and if it must be Clark, with a smile on my face.

Later.

RJS

[Forkboy]

33. You're a good man DTH

this kind of sentiment is appreciated a lot.I hope Dean supporters will also help Clark if he gets the nomination,and I suspect most will.

[The Magistrate]

34. Well Said, Mr. Hawk!

Well said indeed!

Whoever turns out to be the Democratic Party nominee for President, we must all do all we can to secure that person's victory, and the defeat of the current usurper.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[xultar]

35. Meeee Tooo!

[JNelson6563]

36. You're a class act DTH

I don't care what those Kerry supporters say about you, you are alright in my book. ;-)

I suspect neither of us will have to choose, I suspect we'll merge.

:toast: To taking back the people's house.

Julie

[Upfront]

37. Rest Assured

I am a serious Dean backer, and I will work just as hard for Clark should he win. I like the way Clark has been nailing Bush* lately. It is not un-noticed. Thanks for your positive post, it is refreshing.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

38. My hat's off to you, DTH

We are passionate about our candidates, indeed.

I was warm to Clark before he jumped in, then I cooled a bit, but watching him, I'm warming up again. He's been classy and clean. I keep waiting for him to jump into the fray against Dean, but he never does.

Thanks for an excellent post and honest thoughts. I will of course return the favor and work hard for Clark if he is the nominee.

It's been clear to me for awhile that Dean and Clark are probably the only candidates that could beat Bush.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

39. Thanks to All

It's fantastic to have a revelation, and see your online "family" be so supportive about it. :-)

To the eventual Democratic nominee, and hopefully ALL of us as strong supporters of that person here!

:toast:

DTH

[RevolutionStartsNow]

40. Imagine...

the DU party we will have in DC in Jan 2005...

When it happens, I look forward to shaking your hand, DTH. Or high fiving. Cheers!

[Padraig18]

41. I feel the same way about Clark!

The enemy is *, folks! This is not the "Miss Teen America" pageant, where we can afford to leave in a huff if our candidate isn't the one nominated. '04 represents the first major battle in re-securing our inherent right as sovereign people to reclaim our self-governance!

ABB in '04! :thumbsup:

[Hep]

42. Right back atcha, my friend!

I sense that all of us X supporters are starting to pick up on the big picture. I've gained more respect for some of the Kerry, Clark, Kucinich supporters here in the last few days than in previous months. We're going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2004.

[Zynx]

43. We need more posts like this to promote good feelings.

The last thing we want is to have a divided party going into '04 because it will be a hard race.

[CMT]

44. thanks for your well reasoned post

and I never thought that you wouldn't give your all for the ultimate dem nominee whoever it is. I will do the same.

[Drifter]

45. Hell, if he is nominated ...

I will work like a demon to get a Banana Slug elected.

Anyone but Bush.

Calling Mr. Whitman, you are needed on the front lines.

Cheers
Drifter

[Ramsey]

46. Amen!

I'd work like hell to get Lucifer himself elected over the Boy King.