assume Dean loses and continues downwards.

[ulysses]

What will other candidates do with Dean activists?

[pmbryant]

1. Shouldn't that question be the other way around?

:shrug:

--Peter

[ulysses]

3. yes and no

There are millions of answers concerning what Dean activists would do with other candidates. There are substantially fewer answers concerning what other candidates would do with the grassroots organization Dean has built, should he lose.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I think it depends on the candidate

I would venture to guess that Kerry and Edwards would be quite inclusive...

[Terwilliger]

4. uly

why is Dean doing so badly tonight?

[ulysses]

5. I wish I knew.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. because the organization isn't there?

the grassroots support was exaggerated?

[ulysses]

11. one doesn't raise that kind of money

from an exaggerated grassroots base.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. My take on Dean's showing in Iowa

I'm not an Iowan, but I'm a native Minnesotan, and one thing that doesn't fly well in Minnesota is bragging and over-confidence. (At least it didn't before Norm Coleman, but I digress, and in any case, Iowa is more like Minnesota used to be.)

Many of Dean's supporters (present company excepted, Uly) were really overbearing and dismissive of anyone who didn't hop onto their bandwagon and accused anyone who expressed doubts about their candidate as "bashing" or "doing Karl Rove's work." I suspect that their enthusiasm came across as arrogance, and the Iowans decided that they "needed to be taken down a peg."

They weren't entirely motivated by that, though. Note that they also rejected Gephardt, who probably lost cred for being too conciliatory to Bush.

I'm disappointed in DK's showing, but when I went canvassing, the vast majority of people were undecided. I suspect that they decided to go for perceived electability.

Actually, Kerry and Edwards wouldn't be a bad ticket. I could vote for that combination.

[poskonig]

20. That sounds like DU, not real life.

I've never seen Democrats bash each other in public.

[emanymton]

6. Break The Word Assume Into Three Parts

and it will make an "ass" out of "u" and "me."

The national election is bigger than any one candidate. The goal is to win because we cannot afford another term with the Shrub.

The activists must be kept involved. The Primary Candidates owe it to their followers to remain in the race as supporter of the Democratic Nominee (DN). The people will win when we all stay a part of the race.

[kiahzero]

8. Keep the activists involved?

How? Just tonight I witnessed some whiner complaining "Well, if Dean isn't on the ticket, I might just forget there's an election in November."

How do we turn *THAT* into positive energy for the nominee, if it isn't Dean?

[emanymton]

13. Lead Or Get Out Of The Way

is not an option.

Dean must lead his activists even if Dean must follow. Otherwise his justifiable anger will be lost.

[ulysses]

9. "The activists must be kept involved"

Yes, and understand that I'm not writing off Dean tonight, although the polls so far are surprising. Still, Dean or no Dean, it's up to the party and eventual candidate to keep those folks involved in at least the same measure as it's those folks' responsibility to stay involved.

[IndianaGreen]

10. I don't think Dean should give his mailing list to anyone else!

This is only the first scrimmage of the season.

[ulysses]

12. truly said

There are many more battles to come.

[CabalBuster]

14. The anti-Dean movement has pretty much insulted Dean's base

I personally won't vote for any dem who voted for the IWR, the patriot-act, etc. I truly believe my vote is not transferable.

[ulysses]

15. I hear you, but

a couple of things.

1. Don't count Dean out yet.

2. I was going to say something inspiring about how you shouldn't flatly refuse to support another candidate, but I don't think I can - after the ABD "movement", I'm considering going to DK and then third party again if Dean loses, and the ABDers can stick it up their collective asses.

But then that's probably the frustration talking. Let's wait and see.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. The DK camp would welcome you

Given your issues, it seems like a more natural home for you anyway.

[ulysses]

19. my only problem with DK

is that he's less a true threat to the party bigwigs.

Of course, after tonight, that may not be the case.

I'm considering it.

[Guaranteed]

18. Same here.

Good luck..."Dems." :eyes: