to put things in perspective.
Hubby and I used up a lot of our energy in 03 and 04, I guess, and even into 05 and 06 we worked very hard.
We really had a passion because in the darkest hours as the shock and awe started in Iraq, someone spoke up and said
"what in the world are our Democrats doing voting to give Bush his unilateral war." It was like a light bulb went on.
I really don't care this time around who the nominee is. I prefer some more than others, but I see good things in all of them. I also have some I don't prefer, but at this time it would not preclude my voting for them.
I am one of the few Deaniacs who survived the primary wars here last time. Most did not. I watch the interplays going on here now, and they are amazing.
I will probably vote for the Democratic nominee for many reasons. My most selfish one is that I want to see a Democrat win the White House while Dean is chairman.
I have learned something important about candidates. Some come onto the stage of politics, and they really don't make much of an impact even in winning. For an example, note the
conservative Democrats in Congress. Some lose and have a huge impact on the political stage. Even their losing was significant.
Ned Lamont was one of those people. He had a huge impact in showing up Joe Lieberman for the snide little man he really is. Ned's still around and fighting for Democracy.
Howard Dean is another. His impact on the party is still ongoing. Some of us are wishing he would speak out more, but in reality we know he can't right now. May I quote a fellow Deaniac here at DU who is a real life friend of Howard Dean....and most definitely appreciates him.
If he is ousted, and we win the White House in 2008, any Democratic president that ignores progressive goals will be looking over their shoulder very nervously come re-election time. Howard will be there breathing down the neck of the incumbent, and with a few hundred thousand way-more-savvy once and future Deaniacs backing him up.
DFW's statement about Dean's influence.DFW is quite right.
I am not even especially concerned about the Iowa Caucuses. There are enough people fretting about them. I have not turned on CNN or MSNBC for two days, nor do I intend to do so right now.
I think there are a few people who make major differences in their lifetime. Maybe not because they won, but because they lost and stayed to fight.