As a long-time DUer, I can hardly bear to click on GD04 anymore...

[Maddy McCall]

Two years ago, when I joined DU, I did so because I read through General Discussion and found lots of people who thought like me. There was hope here. There was optimism. Coming to DU made me feel better, in that there were other progressives here who saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

When I come to GD04 now, it turns my stomach to see so many progressives wringing their hands. This forum is dominated by despair, paranoia, and division. If I were a progressive Democrat looking for like-minded people today, I wouldn't join DU, because I wouldn't want to be a part of all of the negativity here.

I can't promise you that John Kerry will win the November 2 election. But I can promise you that what is going on in GD04 right now isn't helping anyone. If you want to help Kerry, then instead of sitting there complaining, get up and go volunteer at your local Dem headquarters. Give out some extra bumperstickers. Register people to vote. What good does it do to sit on an internet forum and denigrate our candiate--how does this affect the potential Democratic voters who are coming here hoping to find a home?

There is a pall on GD04 right now. I hope some of you get over it soon.