I Propose A Toast To The Howard Dean Supporters

Yes, it is true that their candidate didn't become the Democratic nominee, but what they did with Howard Dean has changed the face of American politics in just a few short months. Not the way negative advertising has changed politics - the Howard Dean people made a real and tremendously positive contribution to the very foundations of our Democracy. America is more democratic for your endeavors.

For your contributions to democracy, your tireless efforts furthering the principles for which we all stand, I salute you.

Thanks for helping to sharpen the sword.

to "Hollerin' Howard."

He gave us back our backbone. He was the first kid to stand up at the parade and say out loud that the emperor had no clothes.

We are in their debt!

:grouphug::loveya:

We all owe you a lot.

We want to sweep !!!!!

As a Dean supporter, I thank you for your kind words, on behalf of Dean supporters and true believers in democracy everywhere.

I was big on dean and I still think he is an important aspect to the dems.

Think he will get a cabinent position?

Dean's the Man!!!

But we can all come together now and keep this momentum going, help Kerry by keeping this energy alive.

:toast: Now this Deaniac is back to the polls to GOTV!!!!

And I am definetly "sniffling" here!

I made my first financial contribution to the Dean campaign. I hope he gets a position somewhere in the Kerry admin or heads up the DNC or something.

Dean and his supporters had the guts to not only challenge Bush, but to challenge the democratic party. Thank God. I have nothing but respect for them.

Dean gave us a voice when nobody else would. I will always and forever be grateful to Howard Dean.

again, as it will probably be.

Democracy For America will be alive and well for a long time I hope.

But tonight is Kerry's! Congratulations to him, to you, to us, and to the United States of America!

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

thanks you Governor!

And when I thought my day couldn't get any better. :) Thank you so much, what a sweet post.

I was bummed at first when Dean didn't win but my biggest fear was that he would fade out of politics or get shut out somehow. That didn't happen though and his Democracy for America organization is working hard to build the grassroots efforts for local and state races which will soon grow into gaining House and Senate seats on the National level.

He's still a very large part in the Democratic effort and that's good enough for me. Dean and Kerry make a great team (and that Clark guy kicks ass too) ;)

YEEEEE-AAAA!
:toast: :loveya: :yourock: :headbang: :party:

I always thought of Dean as the id of the Democratic party--sheer energy unleashed! :toast:

I've been for Kerry since the beginning, but we owe a debt of gratitude the good doctor and his supporters for lighting a fire under all of us...You guys rock....THANK YOU!!!!!:)

Of Howard Dean. And Kerry supporters were definitely stronger supporters for the lengthy, but very healthy debates we developed here at DU.

Makes me proud to be a Democrat!

*snif snif* :cry:

but I think Senator(soon to be President) Kerry has been a better candidate. Kudos to all of US you and me, we(all the great unwashed mass that the repukes want to silence so badly) won this by giving time, money and by god, our vote.
The good lord willing and the creek don't rise, we got our country back!

:toast:

I only helped with my $$$, but I put quite a bit of that into it for a secretary. I really believe that if we turn our country around, it'll be because Dr. Gov. Howard Dean stood up and said the Chimperor was naked.

:loveya: Dr. Dean!

Please join us after the election .to keep our Democracy moving in the right direction.

Hope you will show up and work with your local Democracy for America Meetup, Howard Deans National grassroots network. We can get a lot done if we stay together and continue working. Go to Meetup or the Democracy for America website to find one in your neighborhood.I imagine everyone will collapse after tonight but we will gather together and carry on. We hope you will join us. And to boot we are a awesome group of fun dedicated people...

I still see Dean people...I might add.....lots of them.

:toast: :party: :grouphug:

This is only a first step, and I will be backing Howard Dean all the way.

Though the fighting was bitter during the nomination period, they got behind the ticket and fought as hard as anyone else for Kerry.

I tip my hat to them.

And I salute you Kerry Supporters who knew that this was our guy!:D

I too was an early Dean supporter. He is one of the finest men in public service, and in the Democratic Party.

Proud to be among such fine company! :toast:

I love the Dr.

Looking forward to the things he will do in the future when the dems have a wilting backbone

Thank you very much. Here is how the work will continue, Dean's column this week explains it.

Taking back the grassroots, one office at a time....Howard Dean's goal.
http://www.caglecartoons.com/previewColumn.asp?columnID={9D610360-FC0F-4F3F-A602-51AA0AE2AFC5}

SNIP..."By the time most readers see this column, unless we have a repeat of the 2000 election, we will know who the president will be for the next four years. But it is not over. Over the last 40 years, ordinary Americans have become less and less involved in politics. Voter turnout consistently declined between 1960 and 2000; and in non-presidential years, less than 30 percent of eligible adults across America vote, much less volunteer to work on or donate money to campaigns.

This year has been different. There has been enormous intensity on both sides, and a real conviction that individuals can make a difference, even in national elections. Both campaigns, but particularly the Democrats, have rediscovered that hundreds of thousands of small donors giving $25 or $50 at a time can actually raise more money collectively than the so-called "fat cats" and special interests do.

There is more to politics than elections. Thousands of young people have discovered, as generations have before them, their efforts matter. Their actions matter because by getting in the game instead of straying on the sidelines, they are empowered, whether or not their candidate wins....."

SNIP..."Politics is too important to be left to professional politicians. It matters who is in office, from the school board to the presidency. The next election cycle is in a few months for local office, and in two years for federal office. If you love America, it's not enough just to vote. Run for office. If you cannot do that, volunteer or work on a campaign for three hours a week. Donate to a candidate’s campaign. It does not have to be a lot – it can be $5, $10, $20 – every bit helps. That is how you stop politicians from responding only to special interests."

We can change this country. It will take time and hard work, but if we start today ordinary Americans can take this country back....."END SNIP

www.democracyforamerica.com
www.blogforamerica.com

over..not matter which way it goes. I'm glad we have Dean and Kucinich to rebuild our party...no matter what. :toast: to the guys who got Kerry "On Track."...and possibly saved him...if the numbers go our way late tonight. If not...we at least have a direction to go to rebuild..we didn't have that after 2000.

an unreserved Kerry supporter.

Thank you for your kind post. I still love Dr. Dean and will support his efforts until the last dog dies. President Kerry will need the support of us all in cleaning up the gawdawful mess Shithead has made. I am grateful that he wanted the job.

Cheers!

I still love Howard Dean. I also hope that he will either lead the DNC, or be appointed to a prominent post in the Kerry administration.

A :toast: to fellow DU'ers who mention the contributions Howard (and Wes, and Dennis, and Carol, and Al,) made to our party and to our future.

Julie

RL