The Obama supporters that I know.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

For all the Obama supporters that worked their asses off in 2004. I wish that I could meet you.


One of the reasons that I have so much trouble buying into the whole Obama phenomenon is because every Obama supporter friend that I have did not participate in the 2004 election. While I was working my ass off walking precincts and making calls for Kerry, every single one of the Obama supporters I know was either completely ignorant or getting their political experience by watching John Stewart. All of a sudden it is important to them. We had a chance to stop the Bush bullshit four years ago and they stood by and did NOTHING.

I apologize to the Obama people here who were active, but I have not yet met a single one of you in the real world. I am constantly surrounded by so called "Independents for Obama" and "Never cared before but now I am for Obama " people and it makes me sick. Where the fuck were all of you when it really could have made a difference?!

I was against the Iraq War from the beginning. I called the WMD bluff when so many even at DU weren't willing. I worked tirelessly for John Kerry in 2004. I am sorry if I can't relate to the newcomers who just recently realized that elections make a difference. We aren't going to change the entire American political system. It's dirty, influenced heavily by lobbyists and corporations, and often doesn't represent the will of the people. The best that we can do is elect someone that will create a few more jobs, get some people health insurance, and create a little more peace in the world. Anybody who "hopes" for anything else is in for a very unpleasant surprise.

(Rant off)

[XemaSab]

1. I went to Iowa and New Hampshire for Dean

Does that count? :P

[Blue-Jay]

2. "I was against the Iraq War from the beginning."

you're not alone.

[JVS]

4. Just like Obama

[apocalypsehow]

15. Too bad the OP's candidate wasn't.

n/t.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

17. Why is it unacceptable to support a GE candidate that looks moderate?

[apocalypsehow]

19. I don't think it's unacceptable in the GE, against a Republican. But this is the primary, and we

have a choice. I choose Senator Obama.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

22. Maybe you missed the point.

I am supporting the moderate candidate in the primary in order to win in the GE.

Spatial model anyone?

[apocalypsehow]

28. Maybe you don't understand your own point.

I am supporting the candidate I think is both most right on the issues and who I also think has the best chance to beat John McCain in November.

You disagree with my choice - fine. You support your candidate in the primary, I'll support mine. How difficult is that a concept to grasp?

[girl gone mad]

94. That was the theory behind Kerry, too.

And you wonder why your friends weren't interested in campaigning for him? Hillary will have the same problems.

[rug]

98. Maybe Obama should reject his endorsement.

[apocalypsehow]

118. quis illum sceleratum fuisse putavisset, si tacuisset?

heu, si pudorem haberes, DU abiisses.

:thumbsdown:

[rodeodance]

123. Hillary did NOT vote for a war. and 2nd--ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID

[scheming daemons]

3. In 2004, I was an Edwards supporter until Kerry won the nom... then I worked for Kerry's ....

campaign here in SW PA.

[VolcanoJen]

125. Same here! Edwards volunteer in 2004, then switched to Kerry....

... after he won the nomination and WORKED MY ASS OFF for Kerry in Ohio. I had an AWESOME spot for the day Kerry announced John Edwards as his running mate and came to Dayton for a rally! God, that was such an exciting, and hopeful day. I've written a lot of pieces for DU about my experiences on the Edwards and then Kerry/Edwards campaign.

This year, I went with Obama from pretty much the beginning. It was a heartbreaking choice not to support Edwards again, but I'm every bit as devoted to getting Obama elected as I was for Edwards in 2004.

I just hope it turns out a little better this time. ;-)

Anyhow, for the OP... there are MANY of us here who are Obama supporters who also worked out butts off for Democrats in 2004 (and the fantastic midterm of 2006!). And hell, I've been at DU since Inauguration Day, 2001.

[Labors of Hercules]

127. Yo Tambien!

I worked with my wife doing get out the vote efforts for Kerry in the Hispanic community.

[k8conant]

5. I have always been against the Iraq War. I supported Kucinich in 2004...

then I campaigned and telephoned and participated in GOTV for Kerry in 2004.

Don't tell me I'm new at this. I campaigned for Eugene McCarthy in 1968.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

6. Glad to hear it.

Wish I could meet more of you.

[k8conant]

7. ...and why are you for Hillary now if you were always against the Iraq War? eom

[Blue_State_Elitist]

9. Because after 2004 I see the value in having a GE candidate that looks moderate.

[JimGinPA]

8. I Was For Dean & WentTo Kerry When Dean Dropped Out...

Donated & phone banked for Kerry/Edwards & was a poll watcher.

[AX10]

10. K & R!

"was against the Iraq War from the beginning. I called the WMD bluff when so many even at DU weren't willing. I worked tirelessly for John Kerry in 2004. I am sorry if I can't relate to the newcomers who just recently realized that elections make a difference. We aren't going to change the entire American political system. It's dirty, influenced heavily by lobbyists and corporations, and often doesn't represent the will of the people. The best that we can do is elect someone that will create a few more jobs, get some people health insurance, and create a little more peace in the world. Anybody who "hopes" for anything else is in for a very unpleasant surprise."<-- This applies to me too.

[democrattotheend]

11. I worked my ass off for Dean in 2004, then volunteered for Kerry

I will admit that I was a little demoralized after the primaries and it took me a while to come around, but in the end I went to Ohio, Philadelphia, and West Virginia to volunteer for Kerry. I also made calls from my cell phone. And I have worked my ass off for down-ballot races for several years.

[annie1]

12. The Obama supporters i know are normal and don't spew hate at hil...

and don't constantly cry for her to bow out so she don't hurt the special obama.

[ruggerson]

62. ditto

most of my friends are Hillary supporters, but of the few close friends who are pro Obama, none of them dislike Hillary at all.

[undeterred]

13. The Obama supporters I know

were all committed to more progressive candidates like Kucinich or Edwards before they were for Obama and they were all involved in campaigns in 2004.

[calico1]

101. Well I do know that a lot of Obama supporters are

young...18 or 20 and first time voters. I know for me 4 years made a huge difference in my interest when I was young. It is very different going from 14 to 18 or 16 to 20 than it is going from 40 to 44.

Don't know about you but I wasn't much interested in politics when I was 14 nor did I understand most of it!

I am not an Obama supporter but I am glad to see a lot of young people involved and I just hope that once the Nov. election is over with they will stay interested and involved.

[monomach]

14. Translation: NEW DEMOCRATIC VOTERS ARE BAD FOR THE PARTY.

'cause the elction is more easily won with fewer Democratic voters, amirite?

Barack Obama = more voters = bad. Or something. Fuzzy maths on your part, I guess.

[roseBudd]

47. wrong, new voters are just childish if they don't resign themselves to Hillary

[faithfulcitizen]

16. I worked my butt off and quit my job to support Wes Clark in 2004, and I support Obama.

And it will be a cold day in hell before I vote for Hillary after what she has said about McCain "experience" and Obama's "speech".

[Blue_State_Elitist]

20. Obama puts so much emphasis on this one fucking speech that changed nothing.

[faithfulcitizen]

24. no, you and Hillary do. I've listened to everything he had to say. And it changed something-my vote.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

27. Obama hasn't changed anything significant.

He has continually voted to fund the war just like Hillary. He is a fucking fraud.

[faithfulcitizen]

32. "Hasn't changed anything significant" - he's changing lots of minds?

So, "he's a fucking fraud" just like Hillary? huh?

[Blue_State_Elitist]

34. Hillary never claimed to be pure on Iraq like St. Obama.

[mckeown1128]

48. yes she has... she keeps blaming Bush for her vote.

You know, the whole "if I would've known the truth" crap that she spews... I knew that the was was coming and was based on lies... If I knew... then the next president of the United States should have known.

[JanusAscending]

35. If this is the case ,as you see it,

why is she better than him. He didn't cast the vote for the war!??

[PBS Poll-435]

51. Nah. He was not one of 100 nationally elected people.

Obama could not vote for or against the war, because he didn't get to make that call. He was in the IL Legislature.

[FedoraLV]

70. Are the loose nukes that Kerry spoke of

significant?

"Lugar and Obama traveled together to Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan in August to oversee a number of Nunn-Lugar projects. In Ukraine they saw a conventional weapons facility that is typical of the focus of the new legislation.

In 1991, Senator Lugar (R-IN) and former Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA) authored the Nunn-Lugar Act, which established the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. This program has provided U.S. funding and expertise to help the former Soviet Union safeguard and dismantle its enormous stockpiles of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, related materials, and delivery systems .... The latest Nunn-Lugar Scorecard shows that the program has deactivated or destroyed: 6,828 nuclear warheads; 611 ICBMs; 485 ICBM silos; 55 ICBM mobile missile launchers; 152 bombers; 865 nuclear air-to-surface missiles; 436 submarine missile launchers; 563 submarine launched missiles; 29 nuclear submarines; and 194 nuclear test tunnels."
<http://obama.senate.gov/press/060523-lugar-obama_bil/>

-FedoraLV
(I donated and phone banked for Kerry/Edwards and for Democratic GOTV efforts and recruited friends to join me; within days after the selection of Shrub's 2nd term I spent six months (four to six hours a day) compiling every story of anything odd I could find about the elections that had just happened (at the state and national level) from small, local newspapers and posting daily updates to every site that would have the information. I still have and wear my Kerry '08 shirt, with the main points his domestic and foreign policy platform written on the back and I will talk to anyone who asks about what we lost and how. (Not just the voting machines: everything.) I live in a red county: my very R congresscritter regularly sends me postcards about why their support of low taxes and a wall on the Mexican border are grand ideas. :banghead:)

:hug: Every candidate has supporters who are not the thoughtful, active, dedicated, and savvy person we picture when when we envision the kind of voters we hope are going to the polls, volunteering for the party and the candidates, and deliberating over the workings of democracy. Do not take the anecdotal evidence of the supporters you happen to meet (online or offline) as the total scope of a candidate's champions.

(Me, I wish I could find and talk to the folks who held gatherings for W at my local street corner. All the W stickers and yellow ribbons have mysteriously vanished from car bumpers, around here.)

[Exilednight]

38. Hillary puts no emphasis on a vote that changed everything for the worse. n/t

[PatGund]

58. You know what

The second biggest disappointment I had for the primaries was that Wes Clark decided not to run.

The biggest disappointment was that he endorsed Sen. Clinton.

I did give Sen. Clinton another look after Gen, Clark endorsed her. But I couldn't bring myself to support her. And nothing she has done since then has made me want to support her at all.

[usrbs]

119. I felt just like you when Clark decided not to run

However, I've landed differently.

[Diane R]

18. I worked for Clinton, Gore, Dean and Kerry. Now I've worked for Obama.

[boppers]

21. Orange Hat Here.

There's some long term progressives, along with new kids, in the Obama tent. ;)

[Spider Jerusalem]

23. You obviously don't get out much.

I've been politically aware since before I could vote legally; I was overjoyed when Clinton beat Bush in '92, and cast my first vote for him in '96; I was totally crushed by what happened in 2000, was against the Iraq war from the beginning,and supported Kerry for the 2004 nomination before the primaries.

And I quite honestly find what you're saying to be both stupid and insulting; I REALLY fail to see how a candidate who's able to energise people and bring new voters into the political process can possibly be a bad thing, but maybe that's just me.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Spider Jerusalem]

30. Charming.

Is that the best response you can muster?

[Blue_State_Elitist]

31. I think that the response is adequate.

I don't need to explain the details of my social life on the internet.

[Spider Jerusalem]

37. It's not your social life I'm questioning.

It's the idea that Obama's support comes from people who never gave a fuck for politics (which is manifestly untrue as demonstrated by countless counterexamples in this very forum) and the idea that a candidate who is bringing tens, no, HUNDREDS of thousands of NEW DEMOCRATIC VOTERS to the polls is in some way a BAD THING. That is just not rational.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

42. Oh, I'm sorry.

I have never heard "You obviously don't get out enough" used in such a non-insulting way.


:crazy:

[apocalypsehow]

36. And yet another HRC supplicant who is all class....

:eyes:

[zabet]

26. The Obama supporters I know.

I know 1. One republican
Obama supporter.

[AX10]

40. I know of one...

who never got involved before Obama came along. This person was old enough to vote in 1992 but didn't bother. The other is a Dem who voted for Lieberman in 2006. :eyes:

[zabet]

54. The one I know

sat out the last
election after having
voted for chimpy on
the first go 'round.

[frazzled]

29. I worked for months in New Hampshire for Clark

canvassing door to door in the cold, providing visibility at town halls, working the freaking VFW pancake breakfasts, phone-banking in the campaign headquaraters 3 days a week, and standing out from 7am-7pm at a polling place on election day--in subzero temperatures.

And then I worked in the fall for Kerry.

So I guess from my response and the many others here, your impression of Obama supporters is incorrect ... or very limited.

[Spiffarino]

33. Got blisters on my blisters canvassing for Kerry in '04

I think Obama's the far better candidate.

I used to think he was only marginally better until HRC started shenanigans. I can't support a Dem who would hold up a Republican as being better than a fellow Dem. It tells me she doesn't care about the Democratic Party.

[eridani]

39. I'm an Obama supporter by default

Kucinich and then Edwards dropped out. Seems to me that the Kucitizens and Deaniacs of 2004 (those of us who wound up casting our lots with the Democratic Party, anyway) were the hardest workers on behalf of Kerry.

[Melinda]

41. BS! on "I called the WMD bluff when so many even at DU weren't willing" I CALL BULLSHIT!

The only person on DU at the time who may have been unwilling would have been carlos and I think even he had been booted by that time.

Mister, you got your facts messed up. NO-ONE HERE EVER, EVER BOUGHT THE WMD BS -- NO-ONE, MUCH LESS "So Many".

Jesus Hussein Christ.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

43. I guess we remember things differently.

I remember reading posts cautioning those that questioned the WMD argument in the very beginning.

[Melinda]

52. Not on this site ya didn't. We organized our asses off lobbying Congress, the WH, media...

etc. Lots of tears and anger, but never any collective doubt we were being lied to by the * maladministration. Never.

Seriously... DU has always called Bush* BS.

[Stephanie]

80. You're lying. You're a fraud. You're full of shit

Absolutely not true and you know it.

[MagsDem]

57. Well I was here, and the OP is absolutely correct

DU was filled with the same nelly's that blamed gay people for Kerry's loss in 2004. There really should be an IQ test before people are allowed to post here in support of anyone. And as long as we are going to have caucuses, why not an IQ test for voters. If you're going to exclude the masses from voting at least exclude the clueless people. The WA state caucuses with all the 18 yrs old that couldn't give a single reason why they supported Obama was enough to make a real democrat want to throw up.

[Melinda]

75. Oh baloney as well. You just registered here and most certainly were not here back then.

But if you continue to claim you were involved here, then pray explain... what was one of the first organized acts DU did to protest Bush's march to war, and when did we do it?

[Stephanie]

84. Lying Liars for Clinton

They should start a PAC.

[Melinda]

90. Amen to that! Did I mention that I've finally decided to declare Obama?

Lying liars for Clinton indeed... why, they've lied me right into working to elect Obama!!

Off to add my decided avatar; thanks Stephanie! :)

[Stephanie]

79. No shit! I call bullshit second. What a lying little creep.

This has to be a prank OP - please tell me it is.

[The_Casual_Observer]

85. Bullshit. Plenty of DUers were fooled about the WMD.

Many were fooled by the liquid bomber thing too.

[Melinda]

91. Another one who wasn't here at the time... brilliant!!

:thumbsdown:

[The_Casual_Observer]

106. Well there you go! New account in 2003.

You are so confidently wrong about everything!

[Melinda]

111. You joined in 8/03, well and long after the WMD debate began on DU, months after the start of war

The WMD discussions on DU began long before you arrived, as did the activism. You remember the activism, right? What was our first collective act here? Hmmm?

^^ Rhetorical, no need to respond^^. But thanks for playing. :loveya:

[redqueen]

124. A few did... VERY few.

Amazing that some can just invent their own reality out of whole cloth.

[Melinda]

129. So fucking edited. Right, because this site has traditionally been pro-Bush and pro-war.

I reiterate: the only people on DU that bought into Bush's bullshit about WMD were trolls and disruptors.

And what's really amazing is that no-one can respond to what I say without adding some self-serving smarky remark. That kind of nastiness just brings so much to the dialogue, eh?

Peace out.

*Edited to remove my own snarkiness and to add this:

I'm sorry for being snarky toward you in the now edited - but edited far too late - area above... you're right, I am far too hypersensitive about this and other issues in re this war. I misunderstood your post, and I am truely sorry for that.

[redqueen]

130. Sorry but that's just not true.

There are some current DUers who will admit to you themselves that they fell for it... I've seen the posts from them admitting they were there among the trolls, advocating the IWR. So that's how I know, I've seen them fucking admit it.

As for the "nastiness" / "self-serving smarky (sic) remark" - you're being HYPERsensitive.

I was talking about the bullshit you were calling out.

Jesus Frickin Christ.

[Melinda]

131. Reread my post- I added to it while you typed.The issue is WMD, not the IWR

Two connected, but fully different issues. I'm speaking of what DU collectively did in addressing the WMD assertions well prior to the IRW debates and vote.

Trolls did appear en masse re the vote, but that is not the instant issue. And I do appreciate your acknowledgement that those pro-WMD arguments were trolls, and the "few" as opposed to the "many".

And I talked to Christ the other day... he told me that he appreciates it when we use his full name these days:

Jesus HUSSEIN Christ. :)

Sorry again.

[RandomKoolzip]

44. Wow, you really live down to your name.

So...by your logic, anyone who wasn't a political junkie in 2004 doesn't deserve a voice in the 2008 elections? The apathy of some in 2004 invalidates the energy of others in 2008? That's pretty much a textbook example of elitism there, pal.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

45. My name is a joke in response to what the Repukes called us in 2004.

It was originally "One of the Few." I changed it when Skinner allowed us to for a short time.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

72. Maybe it was ironic when you chose it. But not anymore.

You are wearing it well.

[roseBudd]

I worked my ass off for Kerry, I support Obama, I just wish Kerry had the gift Obama has

It's really hard to motivate people who have no feelings for a candidate.

The electorate is so brainwashed by decades of Rush & years of Faux News, we need someone who can increase our numbers.

I am a pragmatist. That is why I support Obama. I liked Biden for his experience, unfortunately he is incapable of doing long story short.

[mckeown1128]

46. Isn't it amazing that we could have a nominee that can inspire..

so many new people to get involved. I am sorry that you get sick when you see things like "independents for Obama." All those new voters that are making you sick... It is because of them that Democrats are going to win this year. They weren't there in the past... and that is why we have been losing. I don't know about you but I like the fact that there are new people wanting to join the party. I guess if Hillary is the nominee... you can go out and tell all the "new people" that they aren't welcome because they "haven't been active before." I think it is amazing that my Republican wife and my life long Republican mother are excited to vote for Obama in November... but I guess they don't matter eh? By the way, some of us believe that we can change the system. It's that crazy hope thing. To bad so many in the party have just resigned themselves to thinking it's impossible. Sounds to me like Hillary is the perfect candidate for you.

[roseBudd]

50. Independents WILL determine the outcome of this election, a mathematical certainty

[mckeown1128]

55. Shh... don't talk like that....

don't you know independents are all un-american republican thugs... if they really wanted to vote for a Democrat they would have joined the party..AND volunteered in the past...we don't want their votes... shhh...

[MagsDem]

53. Inspire a bunch of people that are clueless

Or has it escaped you that whenever Obama supporters are asked by the media why they support him all they can do is repeat his bullshit rhetoric. They don't know a damn thing about the dem agenda, policy proposals, or anything else. Next to Bushbots they are the least informed voters I have ever seen.

[mckeown1128]

61. When you say such vicious insults...

about the MAJORITY of the Democratic party... I can't tell you how silly you sound... (OMG Obama inspires people...run for the hills :sarcasm:) Look you don't want to start comparing supporters... Hillary supporters still have trouble separating Hillary's resume from her husband's...

I must say though... I find your antics very amusing... I simply can't wait till Hillary looks at the mathematics and finally drops out. (or gets forced out kicking and screaming) I won't be happy only because we will have a FANTASTIC candidate... I can't wait to see you and some other key rabid Clinton supporters either eat crow or implode. I personally prefer the latter...(one can only HOPE) So rant on... please join the chorus in telling us how scary and horrible it is that so many new people want to join the Democratic party... Keep insulting me and other's just because we support a different candidate than you do.

[MagsDem]

68. They aren't the majority of the dem party

They aren't even the majority of primary voters since 20K more people have voted for her than him thus far. And these people do not want to "join" the dem party -- they want to vote for a candidate that the media tells them to vote for because they are sheeple. Unfortunately they have very short attention spans. They are the same stupid kind of people who supported Bush by before they found out he was lying his ass off to them.

[mckeown1128]

69. blah blah..insults.. blah blah...insults..

Counting the illegitimate results from FL and MI I see...

Well, anyway...I still can't wait to see what you write when Hillary drops out... I can't wait... I hope I don't have to wait until August to see you implode...

[Lucky 13]

121. Not like Clinton supporters...

... who live in an entirely separate dimension from reality or mathematics. :eyes:

[MagsDem]

49. Awesome post

Most of them have never done a god damn thing for the democratic party, but are all the sudden indignent that people don't support their inexperienced candidate. They don't know shit about electoral politics, have never lifted a finger to help elect a dem before, but all of the sudden know so much more than everyone one else.

Obama, like them, has no track record of accomplishing anything for our party. NOTHING. Excuse me if I don't leap to support a guy that was a state senator a few years ago and has spent nearly every moment since he was elected to the senate running for president.

[AX10]

60. All true.

Hillary completed a full term before running.

[mckeown1128]

66. Why did Hillary run for reelection a month before announcing

that she would run for president? Seems silly to run for a 6 year term while making plans to start running for president before that Senate term even starts.

[mckeown1128]

63. Excuse me if I don't support a candidate that just a few years

ago was in a non-paying ceremonial job of being the wife of a president. If I want that kind of experience then I will go with Laura Bush... at least she has been in the white house more recently.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

74. The Clintons did a lot for the Democrats.

Lost both houses of Congress, several Governorships, and state legislatures. Took healthcare reform off the table for over a decade. Lost the 2000 election for Al Gore - yeah that's right, it shouldn't have been close enough to steal. Threw Kerry under the bus in 2004. And now they are fucking up what should be a cakewalk of an election year.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

92. Still having trouble differentiating

between indigent and indignant, so now you are merging the two together. If you are going to keep posting your tedious diatribe against Obama, buy a dictionary for fuck's sake. It might at least lend a little bit of credence to your spew if you knew how to write.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

117. Hahaha, tell that to my mother, a former state employee and Democratic canvasser.

She's all about Obama, and she's a poli sci major.

[PatGund]

56. Okay....

I voted for Wes Clark in the 2004 primary. Donated money too. Been here since 2003 or so.

I did the same for Kerry in the general election.

Obama isn't my first choice - barring Clark running again, Richardson was my choice.

Obama I can support though.

[walldude]

59. ROFLMAO!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


I'll be here all week! Remember to tip your waitresses and... don't forget to try the veal!

No need to apologize for this thoughtful and helpful rant, I bow to your political superiority. We all suck ass... or is it.. just the ones you know?

[John Q. Citizen]

64. Ever here of Sen John Kerry? Ever Hear Of Ted Kennedy? I'm sure you have worked harder than they

have, but still.

Your post makes no sense.

[CitizenLeft]

65. are you really, seriously, saying...

...that you DON'T WANT the party to grow and expand, excite young people, and add new voters and convert independents, all which would mean we could win a super majority in both houses, dominate legislation and the Supreme Court, and push the Democratic agenda practically unchallenged for the next generation and for the good of the nation... all because YOU don't like Barack Obama?

Seriously?

OH, and by the way, just to add my Democratic bonafides, which evidently is required here, I voted for Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, phone-banked for Kerry, took part in the Ohio recount, and in November I "hope" (there's that four letter word again, Dear God, hide the freakin' children) to proudly cast my vote for Barack Obama.

WTF!

[MadBadger]

67. Did they act Like the Clinton's in the 2004 Election?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

71. I took a hiatus from work for 2 months to run the field office in my area

But that's neither here nor there. The real question is: Why do you hate democracy?

[last_texas_dem]

73. People's different experiences can be interesting

In my case, the few politically active people that I know are Obama supporters, and all of them were engaged in '04 as well. I volunteered in the '02 elections and '04 primaries and volunteered and worked on behalf of Kerry in the '04 general. This time around, I was an Edwards supporter who now leans Obama with Edwards's suspension of his campaign. Of the Clinton supporters that I know, while all of them are fairly to strongly committed Democrats none of them have ever volunteered/worked for campaigns and three of them didn't even bother to vote in their primaries.

[Gore1FL]

76. I've been involved since 1984

when I made Phone calls for Gary Hart.

I will admit I am not exactly an Obama supporter as much as I am an Edwards refuge who finds Obama preferable to Hillary.

I have to admit, that preference gets stronger the more obnoxious her strategies become. I also believe,at this point, the numbers don;t support those strategies.

If she ran a huckabeesque campaign and didn't try to destroy the front runner, but rather run a pro-Hillary campaign, I'd love for her to stay in the race. Hell, she'd probably do better if she did.

[Colobo]

77. I'm a Democrat since Fall '05. What can I say?

[Stephanie]

78. Who the fuck do you think you are?

This is maybe the the most assinine post I've ever seen at DU. I would seriously like to reach across the internets and wring your neck.

Is your post a joke? If it is then you got me. If it's not, you are insane.

I call your bluff on the Iraq War bluff you lazy little liar.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=110&topic_id=80

[Colobo]

82. He's an "Elitist".

[The_Casual_Observer]

83. You don't need DU, you need a psychiatrist

One hysterical piece of work.

Your referenced post was the biggest pile of rambling shit I've ever seen.

[Stephanie]

86. You've never heard of PNAC?

Read up.

[The_Casual_Observer]

87. Ever heard of Thorazine?

[Stephanie]

89. That's substantive.

I'm sick of the lies. You clearly enjoy them.

[quakerboy]

81. I was going door to door for Kerry

I was a Kucinich supporter. I was not a fan of Kerry, but I did it anyway, because it was important to not have Bush. I looked up every good thing that I could find so that I could dig deep and find some enthusiasm to convince people to show up.

I will not do that again. Hillary is the new Kerry. Obama is a gamble, but Clinton is a lose. That simple.

[Political Heretic]

88. Every Hillary supporter I know didn't participate in the 2004 election.

OMG SEE WUT I DID THER?

And for the record, I participated in the 2004 election - monetarily, voluntarily, and with my vote.

[alphafemale]

93. How dare you? You are simply looking to prove your own illogical prejudices.

I worked for Dean, then Kerry after he became the nominee.

I walked miles in neighborhoods in my county. This was day after day for months. Sometimes in the rain. I ran off thousands of fliers. I had some lunatic rw'ers scream at me sometimes.

I worked at the Democratic headquarters numerous hours. I attended boring meetings.

And I know plenty of other Obama supporters who are like me.

You, quite frankly, don't know what you are talking about.

[cali]

95. I don't believe these kinds of posts. Not a fucking word.

[amborin]

96. exactly...we drove to las vegas and trudged door to door for Kerry vote

and folks who are now for Obama were oblivious back then

[thoughtcrime1984]

97. I guess all I can say is

Instead of saying "shame on you" to people, maybe be glad that something has happened to awaken people and make them want to be aware. I have seen more interest in politics in my area than I ever have before- not just the election, but the atrocities that have/are taking place. So, you can stand on your soapbox and proclaim your greatness, but maybe just take a look around once and feel happy that there finally is more help on the way.

[Tesha]

99. Many, MANY of the Obama supporters were Dean people.

When the party and the media crushed Dean, they didn't have
the heart to actively suporter Kerry, the beneficiary of
the crushing.

This time around, these folks went to the Edwards campaign
and the Obama campaign. And after Edwards dropped out (err,
"suspended his campaign"), the Edwards Deaniacs mostly
drifted over to Obama.

But don't expect many of them to ever support Hillary;
she's a another principal beneficiary of Dean having
been crushed by the Powers That Be (such as, well,
Bill Clinton).

Tesha

[bklyncowgirl]

100. Well you don't know too many Obama supporters, do you?

I for one volunteered for Kerry but, Blue_State_Elitist, are you actually inferring that the Democratic nominee should be chosen only by people who have chosen to involve themselves in the machine of Democratic politics for years.

First of all, many Obama supporters were too young to have been involved in any previous Presidential campaign--but I suppose they don't count--sort of like Virginia.

You also need to realize that there are different ways of being politically involved than going out and working for every hack who has a D after his/her name. I've always been more issues oriented myself going back to the anti-nuclear movement in the 1970s up throught U.S. out of El Salvador movement and of course opposition to the Iraq war. I've worked and donated for several Democratic candidates, but I do prefer to pick and choose who I support.

I suppose in your eyes, I don't count, sort of like South Carolina.

It's pretty much a given in politics that in order to win a presidential election, you need to win a certain number of independant voters and moderates of the opposition party. Are you actually saying that newly involved people who have become active in Democratic politics because, one, their lives have reached such an impass that they feel a need to change what is going on. and two, have been inspired by a candidate, should be told to shut up and move to the back of the bus because you, Blue State Elitist, worked for the Kerry campaign.

Yes, let's do what you are suggesting. Lets give the stiff arm to all the newly energized people who've found the Democratic party through Barack Obama. Let's just stick to that same old core who have been fighting for the same old things in the same old ways for years.

By the way, "Don't get your hopes up" is a pretty lousy campaign slogan.

You do though have the perfect screen name for your views and I congratulate you on that.

[berni_mccoy]

102. Obama Supporter / Kerry Volunteer right here

I worked for Kerry's local campaign office. We went door-to-door and turned NH blue in 2004. I had many doors slammed in my face but many more people willing to listen. It was a great experience and election.

[Kittycat]

103. I'm in IL.

I've been following him and supporting him for years. And I'm very proud to be supporting him now.

[MadHound]

104. Gee, you sound like you're straight out of '68, or '72

Complaining about Kennedy, McCarthy or McGovern supporters.

Once in awhile a candidate comes along who pulls in an entire new wave of supporters. And usually the majority of those supporters go on to become active party members. Obama happens to be one of those candidates, and guess what, that's a good thing for the party, new blood and all that. And all your carping, well, it sounds like so much sour grapes.

Oh, and just because you've got a select group of friends and acquaintances, it doesn't mean that they're reflective of the entire world, just your own circle of people. Perhaps you should hang out with a less politically apathetic group:shrug:

Oh, and for your information, I'm an Obama supporter who's been active in the party for over thirty five years. Doesn't that screw up your supposition.

[Froward69]

105. Obama supporter here

I worked hard for Kerry too. then he showed just how spineless he was in not standing up to the swift boaters... good god damn that in itself pissed me off. i felt we had it sewn up till that.

Hillary couldent get health care done with a Democratic house and senate.

seems to me she gave up the DOWNHILL fight when that Insurance check cleared.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. My entire group of friends who are supporting Obama

have been working on campaigns for literally decades.

That blows your theory right out of the water.

Not to mention your implication that there is something wrong with a candidate attracting newcomers to his campaign. And you Hillary people call us "elitists"??

[RememberWellstone]

108. Truth

It hurts but purifies the soul. Good on you.:thumbsup:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

109. Truth -- eludes you.

[AZBlue]

110. I first worked for Wes Clark, then worked my butt off for Kerry.

Nice to meet ya! :hi:

[mudesi]

112. You admit then that Obama is bringing in new voters?

How is that not a good thing?

[WDIM]

113. Why are you so bitter?

You should be happy that there is a candidate that is actually getting people (that wouldn't usually be involved) Involved!
But you don't really want people involved. You want the status quo. People feeling jaded and cynical about the candidate.
Its even in your name Blue State Elitist. You think you're better than all the new comers because you been around longer. And that we don't need change we need something that already happened 8-10 years ago back. Well there is no going back. You think getting Clinton back in the white house will get those "glorious" years of the late 90s back? well it won't! Those days weren't even as good as you remember them and they will never exist again. Its time to move forward. move on to something new. Something exciting. Something that may just change the way people see politics.

[zulchzulu]

114. I've met many Obama supporters who worked their tail off in 2004 and before

Many Kerry supporters in 2004 I know support Obama. Quite a few Dean supporters in 2004 I know support Obama. Several Kucinich supporters in 2004 support Obama.

I have several Bush supporter friends in 2004 that also support Obama now.

We Obama supporters have been out in the streets for months. This year has been great also because people who WEREN'T out there in the streets ARE NOW. That is a good thing.

[PVnRT]

115. Funny, I don't recall many at DU "believing" the WMD bluff at all

And I suppose that if you weren't knocking doors for Kerry in 2004, you should never participate in a political campaign again, regardless of which candidates inspire you and which don't.

Am I still allowed to vote for president? After all, I didn't campaign for Kerry either. Just curious.

[Avalux]

116. Here I am! It's insulting to assume we haven't participated before.

I've shed tears over Gore and Kerry; I was against the Iraq War from the beginning; I knew George Bush was horrible when he was governor of Texas; I worked my ass off locally to unseat state Republicans.

What do you have if you don't have the belief that all this work amounts to something? I refuse to 'settle' for Hillary Clinton. I refuse to give in to the establishment as you have done.

Hope? Yeah, I got it. I feel sorry that you don't.

[Lucky 13]

120. I love debunking myth...

In 2004, I raised money, held Kerry parties, did phone banking, and even drove to Ohio from DC for Kerry.
In 2006, I did full-time paid and volunteer campaign work for local candidates.
And In 2008, I am going to campaign my ASS off for Barack.

Regarding people getting into politics for the first time. That is not a liability, it's an asset. Obama has reached a previously unreachable audience. He's motivated the unmotivated. With the combined resources of newbies and veterans, Barack will win the big show in November.

Now if *someone* will just move her sorry, broken-down campaign bus off to the side of the road, we can be on our way!

[redqueen]

122. I worked for Kucinich.

Sorry that you have that perception... are you involved with local Democrats there? Are NONE of them supporting Obama?

[Hippo_Tron]

126. Blue_State_Elitist, you've described precisely why I think Obama can win a GE

First of all, I worked for Kerry in 2004. And also I might add that in some respects, Jon Stewart has more journalistic integrity than anyone on CNN, MSNBC, and FAUX. He was one of the only people on television to trash the Swift Boat Liars and exposed them for what they are. The rest of the media tried to be "fair and balanced" but letting a bunch of liars come on your show and tell lies without challenging them isn't fair and balanced.

Anyway my point is that we can't win with just the people that voted for Kerry in 2004. We need as many people as possible that either sat out the 2004 election or voted for Bush to vote for us this time or we won't win. Obama thus far has demonstrated that he is the candidate who can appeal to these people.

I realize that you like Hillary better and that's perfectly fine. If she gets the nomination, I will work for her. But I hope you will do the same with Obama if he is the nominee. His record is pretty solidly liberal just like Hillary's is and I think that anyone who will not support both candidates if they get the nomination has no business calling themselves a loyal Democrat.

[K-Check]

128. The danger of anecdotal evidence...

...is its subjectivity. We each have different experiences, therefore different anecdotes to relate and use as evidence. Until someone can find empirical evidence that the mass of Obama supporters are naive and "green around the gills" (or that they're not), the whole argument is moot, all sound and fury.

The Obama supporters I know are experienced participants in the political process...but those are just the ones I know.

FWIW, thank you for your hard work on Senator Kerry's 2004 campaign; that was a heartbreaker.