It's been about a month - how is the sentiment here RE the Primary?

What is the prevailing sentiment? I've noticed that DU is several months ahead of the mainstream. Dean peaked here first, then months later he peaked in the mainstream. Months later, Clark gained huge support here, and the national polls seem to be showing that same trend now.

I suppose I could have done another poll, but who wants see another Clark/Dean poll?

I continue to campaign for Dean, but I'm really wrestling with my feelinngs of whether to get behind Clark, as Michael Moore has done. Months ago, I called such sentiments "a kind of cold cowardice". As the elections looms closer, my own "cowardice" (ie - pragmatism) is starting to assert itself.

My question is, if we pick Clark, we lose a lot of Greens and left democrats.

If we pick Dean, we may alienate Southerners and right-wing democrats.

So which group can we better afford to lose? What's the prevailng sentiment here lately.

I don't post so often anymore, for reasons I'm not allowed to write about(!), so that's the breaks. I go and post in the noisy right-wing-infested sewer at Yahoo, because free expression is still tolerated there.

I don't trust the 'overall sentiment' at DU anymore for several reasons; far too much of the sentiment I see here simply doesn't jive with mt real-world experiences. Therefore, I'm sticking with my gut feeling, and continuing to support Dean/ABB. :)

And don't forget, DU is as susceptible to being used as a marketing tool as any media outlet.

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However, I would respectfully request you go to both Clark's and Dean's official websites.

Read both of their articles and both of their lists of endorsements.

Then, read both of their sets of position papers.

Clark not only received Michael Moore's endorsement but also that of Mary Frances Berry!

It seems to me that the idea perpetrated by the Dean movement is just style over substance and I find it a shame to read you believe it cowardly to vote for Clark.

Another thing about so-called left wing endorsements of Dean: are they? Hollywood celebrities? Come on: Mary Frances Berry is about as left wing as one can get without being hauled off by Asscrash!

Thanks for reading my opinion.

I'm talking about MY feelings in terms of considering a turn to Clark because of the endless media attacks on Dean and my own FEAR that Dean might lose. Truth be told, I prefer Kucinich, then Dean, then Clark, but it's my FEAR that drives me to the more electable candidates.

If you support Clark enthusiastically because you think he's the best man for the job, you are no coward.

i dont believe those concerns are well founded. I think most Democrats know what's on the line - and you aren't going to find many switching to vote Repub because they don't like the candidate. SO the scenario of losing the South because Dean's the candidate, or losing Lefties because of Clark - i think is overemphasized. Greens understand how crucial voting Dem is - and I believe they will be with us regardless - especially given Michael Moore's endorsement of Clark. Southern voters will respect Dean's straightforward style, and will recognize that he's about as conservative a Dem as you'll find left of Lieberman.

We cannot afford to lose anybody.

I have been more impressed with Kerry and Edwards and even how Gephart is campaigning - but I really feel that they are mostly being influenced by Dean. Like they are trying to be more like him. So why not just stay with Dean :shrug:. Plus I like it that he was a governor. I think that is a good background to have.

Unfortunately Cspan, CNN, etc. have not shown much of Kucinich - at least not when I've been watching.

Haven't seen much of Clark since he hasn't been campaigning and debating in Iowa. Still haven't liked what I have seen.

(I don't even think of Lieberman as a candidate.)

position to win the GE, IMO. Really. Dean supporters disagree.

But Dean is not even trying to appeal to independents and moderate Dems (he has said as much), and is instead relying on drawing in enough new young voters to make up the difference. I don't think that'll work.

Clark appeals across the board to progressives, moderate Dems, and independents, as well as to northerners and southerners. Just as a matter of numbers, he's got the edge, even w/o trying to appeal to someone "new." Getting swing votes will be critical in the GE, IMO. Clark is in a better position to do that than the others.

But I guess we'll see pretty soon, now. By beginning of March, I'd say, the decision will have been made.

Discussants are being very easygoing and mild. A live-and-let-live attitude prevails.

When people do get around to expressing an opinion, it's based upon core ideas, explicated in a rigorous, logical way with clear, concise writing.

Vanilla and french vanilla ice cream are being served for free.

:7