Reasonable Dean Supporters Check In Here

By reasonable I mean. ..

- can see good things about the other guys
- can applaud good things the others do/say cuz it helps all Dems
- doesn't take good news about the other guys as somehow anti-Dean
- sometimes actually believes polls that don't have Dean ahead
- doesn't use good Dean polls as an excuse to gloat and/or trash the others
- doesn't turn every thread into one about Dean
- believes that Dean makes mistakes and does not walk on water.
- willing to acknowledge the above
- doesn't go looking for bad news about the others to post
- doesn't take the slightest criticism of Dean as a personal affront
- doesn't think that the others should give up and go home
- doesn't respond to criticism of Dean with personal attacks
- cringes when other Dean supporters do any of the above
- would vote for any of the others VS Bush.
- can defend Dean without trashing the others

And, finally, a reasonable Dean supporter realizes that even here, we are ambassadors for the campaign. Like it or not, what you write here or other places is out there for the world to see. Fairly or unfairly, our candidate and his message can be judged by our words and actions. We want to PERSUADE people, not piss 'em off.

And to those who immediately jump in and say "how 'bout so and so and they way they've done that" - #1 you're missing the point and #2 that's up to them, not us. We can only be responsible for the message we send.

eileen from OH

I fit the description. While Clark is my guy, should he not win, I'm Dean 100%

However, I am drawn into personal attacks by overly vicious attacks on Dean.

but that kind of stuff only makes them look bad and it's up to them to change their behavior.

Hey, maybe we need like a phrase to use everytime it happens. That way we can flood the thread and make our point without arguing (which is pointless with most of 'em anyway.)

I vote for "bite me." (My personal mantra.)


eileen from OH

but that in itself has led to more snarkiness and flame wars.

It got so tiresome seeing the same old disproven ridiculous allegations leveled at Governor Dean, day after day, thread after thread, it seemed like the most obvious way to respond in simple and short order to the excrement being thrown at him.

Sometimes, the best answer is the most direct one.

A greeting from the Hoosier state.

:hi:

But I'm sure I've been guilty of violating more than one of those conditions on more than one occasion.

But if I haven't said it recently, I will support the Democratic candidate regardless. I honestly believe that we are our own worst enemy.

:kick:

You are a fine example of what a Dean supporter should be!!!!

Let's hope that you fellow supporters take your advice- and let the best man(woman) win. Let us all support whoever that person will be!

if you're not already.

in the White House for another term, and we'll all be jobless and homeless, and every nation that this Administration will just be waiting to get their pound of flesh out of our hides.

our agenda -everyone be careful and don't fall for the pub - disguised in Democrats" clothing. (again)

I'm a (former)Columbusite and Clevelander, and I support Dean and our other candidates. Any step to the left from where we are is a step in the proper direction, IMHO!

I know I don't always succeed.

I got a pretty good lashing today when I contradicted myself. I started a post with "fuck the established Dems" and ended with a call for democratic unity. I felt like an ass b/c my temper had gotten the better of me. Course round here someone is quick the point out your mistakes. Why are DUers so damn smart!?! I am glad that you posted this thread. I think that the Dean people should all promise not to gloat or act like total jerks while we are here, it truly only reflects badly on our candidate and the campaign.

I mean, it worked in 2000.

Didn't it?

we're actually running against the Rethugs yet -- that is when the bashing should begin. We should be more oriented toward debate not all this ad hominem crap that gets spouted around here.

I agree. Of course, I also think that this thread should read "reasonable supporters of any candidate" up for the nomination. It's not like Dean supporters are any more susceptible than supporters of other candidates to being "unreasonable," as the threads at DU regularly show.

100% for Dean from Honolulu! Smart, fearless, articulate, to the point, no not perfect, but what a gift that good people like him are still willing to go the bat (sorry) for us. We must return the kindness.
I will work to remember your points.
It's a bigger challenge to keep the same principles re our * but I will try....

:hi:

the level of discourse on DU lately has upset me to no end. I try to stay away from ost of them, but some are so totally inane that I feel a reply is necessary.
I'm a Democrat first, a Dean supporter second.
Wes Clark is REALLY starting to say things that intrigue me though, I'd have absolutly no qualms about Gen. Clark as our nominee. Hell, I'd have no qualms about the proverbial "ham sandwich" as our nominee. Anyone but that Krazy Kennebunkport Kowboy.

Another Dean supoorters bend over
and spread em thread! How many times
will you drop those draweres, Charlie Brown!
This is the last time we'll ever ask you to prove
that you're really good Dems that deserve to play
with all the supoorters of the other punchdrunk guys
and gal that your tough little guy is a trouncing, honest!
... Until next time.... Tee hee!

:hi:

I'm tough on the other candidates, but fair.

dean for VP!!

it is a shame the way it's getting out there. I'm sorry one of our supporters had to contact Will Pitt's employer. That was uncalled for. It only hurts Dean and we Dean supporters. But it is clear that we are not the only campaign which have problem children. But we need to rise above it.

All campaigns here have 'problem children,' as you call them, and I personally call our problem children on their behavior when I see it; I encourage other candidates' supporters to do the same.

Tough is OK; flames and half-truths/ad hominems are NOT OK. :)

All this bickering drives me nuts. I hope the DUer who contacted Will Pitt's boss at least apologizes to Will, and stops behaving like that.

My God, that would piss me off.

this forum last night.

I was doing pretty good on the "reasonable" side until:

- would vote for any of the others VS Bush.

I guess my refusal to vote for any of those that for the IWR disqualifies me as being "reasonable".

But, better unreasonable than unethical.

All of the candidates have good points. Any of them would be better than 4 more years of Bush*.

I am trying harder to do the same from "my side" also.

I have fallen off the wagon from time to time but found the ignore button to solve most of that....

I have chastized some of our own when they go over the top....

I think we should all begin to engage in this....in the old days they called it shunning....we should begin to shun those members of our community who are way beyond the pail....

This might tone it down a bit...

Sorry, but I'm not going to sit back and play nice while swill like this gets posted.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=21101&mesg_id=21101

I am a Clark supporter, this was my comment:

"I don't even need to read the news reports or posts on this thread to know that this is a vile and meaningless issue for anyone to bring up now "against Dean" in any way whatsoever. There are important things to talk about, we are chosing a President. Look somewhere else for real issues to raise if you think questions should be asked about one or any of our candidates."

I for one am not asking Dean supporters to fight the good fight by themselves.

And I support Dean. And agree with most of your statements above, especially ones recognizing the other candidates' strengths and Dean's flaws.

Thanks for your post.

I do not respond to Dean flamebaits, just put the offenders on ignore and alert the mods. I also say nice things about the other candidates when it warrants it.

Could be awhile...

You can't get much more reasonable than that.