Kerry, the Vote, and Politics 101

[mr715]

Those of you who read my posts so far have likely become accustomed to my combative nature ;)

Let me state this simply..

John Kerry is the nominee. We know that. We heard all the garbage about, "I'll stand behind the nominee when the convention is over" and all that... as far as I'm concerned, that was just a rationalization for their non-support of democracy and democrats.

There was no "fix". There was no party sponsered dirty tricks. The people selected a man that was MADE to be President of the United States.

He voted for the war. He voted for the USA PATRIOT act. He voted for the WTO. He voted for NAFTA. He does not represent 100% of the American people, but he does represent the 98% in the mainstream.

It is specious to argue that because Kerry draws 25% support (50 percent of 50 percent) that the other 50% who dont vote perfer a more liberal candidate. They didnt vote for Perot. They didnt vote for Nader. They didnt vote for Kucinich. They didnt vote for McGovern. They didnt vote for Dukakis.

50% of the country doesnt vote because it is too busy eating McDonalds, watching Oprah, and concerned about what celebrities are doing.

The American people are decidely conservative. Thats why the House is in their hands. We are the most religious developed nation. We are the only developed nation with a death penalty. Why? Is it because the MAN keeps the liberal voices down? No. There is no great liberal majority waiting for an uprising.

Dean deserves every bit of credit he gets. He gave MY party a spine, and he never represented nor tried to represent something other than the moderate mainstream of the democratic party (ya know, the democratic wing of the democratic party). The "progressive" AKA socialist wing isnt concerned about elections - they want their guy to win, and if he doesnt, its a conspiracy.

I do not like Kucinich one bit, because he like Nader, is self serving and puts the ideal above reality. His policies are good, if a bit far fetched, and he flipity flops on issues like no ones business. His speech at the convention was worthy of Joseph Goebbles. His claiming of delegates, when Howard Dean (who actually WON a state ceded them to Kerry) was deplorable.

If each and every one of you who have to hold yer nose decides not to vote for Kerry, then I do honestly believe it will make not a bit of difference in the election. Maybe it'll mean a gain of 10% because no one can say Kerry is claiming support among the wing of the party that wants to abolish capitalism as we know it.

Kerry is an incredible liberal and an incredible man. Hes a politician. He isnt pure.

But the choice is Kerry and Bush. If you don't support Kerry and be joyous that a man of his character and courage is going against Bush, then I dont want you to support Kerry.

I doubt you would anyway. You are just posting posts to make trouble to change minds. Come election day, you would sit down and rationalize your decision to not turn off Temptation Island or Amish in the City, or any other horror of a show with the belief that "its a fix"

Vote Kerry, not because he agrees with you 100%, but because he is a representative. Vote Kerry because he doesnt herd his supporters like a cult leader (a la Kucinich). Vote Kerry because he speaks to the majority of America.

[Kierkegaard]

1. Vote Kerry

because he's the better man for the job.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. America Is A Center Right Nation... No Doubt

America is by far the most conservative industrialized democracy....

Read Seymour Martin Lipset's "American Exceptionalism"



America is not yearning for a far left leader....


Never has.... Never will...

[keyzersoze13]

4. Actually...

I tend to disagree. I think that if Americans truly think about the issues, they lean liberal when it comes to health care, civil rights, abortion, welfare, etc. Its just that the Republicans don't fight fair, and their tactics work when it comes to convincing the public. In "Dude Where's My Country", Michael Moore cites poll numbers from everyone from Gallup to Zogby to even Faux News that supports this standpoint. Yes he's trying to rally his supporters, but its factual polling data that backs this stuff up.

Also consider what the number one reason people say they won't vote is. In my experience, its disgust with the system. They're sick of politicians slinging mud at each other, and don't know where they really stand. These people sound very fair minded to me, and it seems like they would tend to vote liberal. I know its more of a stretch, but it makes sense.

[eridani]

3. Kucinich most assuredly does not control his delegates

He asked them to vote for Kerry several times. Some agreed to, but most refused. Kucinich had about as much luck herding them as trying to herd a bunch of cats.

I guess if all the small towns in Kansas with about as Going Out of Business Signs as Bush for President signs want to keep punishing themselves, we shouldn't try to sell better policies, just accept the status quo. Those people are 'conservative' because conservatives have been selling their message and we haven't. When someone like Kucinich tries, we say it can't be done and make it a self-fulfilling prophecy.


< http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18395[br />April 13, 2004

An inferior product can dominate in the market when it has superior marketing, and this is precisely what we have seen come to pass in U.S. politics over the past two decades.]

Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction--Goebbels used to say that all the time, I suppose.

Universal health care--how stupid. Fucking Taiwan has it, but we can't because we're more 'conservative' than the Kuomintang. Duh.