We’ve 6 years down the wrong road we find ourselves’ neck deep in debt, at war in Iraq, loosing Afghanistan, loosing our constitutionally protected rights, complete loss of what exactly our government doing to us and the world, and mired in corruption.
The first step in winning in 2008 is ensuring that all votes cast in 2008 have a voter verifiable paper trail it need to be the law of the land and it needs to be enacted now so it can be in place for 2008.
We may not get another chance to save our democracy because without free elections and verifiable elections it’s all over.
In the words of Ronald Reagan “Trust but verify.”

Dr. Dean is the man! The Puggies will sweat it out in all 50 states for now on. No more free passes.

My sincere congratulations for developing and successfully executing the 50-state "winning strategy" for 2006! I must say that it gave me goosebumps to watch the returns roll in last night!...and you're right: we're only getting started! NOTE: The GOP will surely target our "new" winners in the House, with the idea of winning back the seats (esp. in the the districts they had gerrymandered over the preceding years). Regardless of what they end up doing, I am sure that the DNC will be positioned to out-organize them and make sure that we hold onto, and actually increase our majority!
It's time to start cultivating some new domestic issues to strengthen our Party Platform for 2008. I suggest one of those themes to be "small business". Let's make sure that the Democratic Party becomes identified with supporting small business initiatives...and steal as much thunder as possible from the Reps!
Great job and good luck!

What a wonderful day it was today - I feel such a sense of relief. Yet, there are still some outstanding races and, coming from New Mexico, I'd like to know what the heck is going on. I may not be doing a very good job sleuthing today but I can't find anything about why the results in NM for the Madrid/Wilson race are what they are. The only thing I've found (and I find it terribly perplexing) is this site, http://www.co.santa-fe.nm.us/elec.php, which shows the total Madrid/Wilson numbers at about 1/20 of all the other races. How is it possible that all the major races have well over 40,000 votes reported and the Madrid/Wilson race only has approximately 1900. I find it interesting that nobody seems to have picked up on the discrepancy there...

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Howard!

Your vision and courage have ignited a fire in Progressives. You are the reason that I have donated money, time, phone calls, and shoe leather.

Now we are even more excited to get ready for 2008!

Howard, please see blog on Daily Kos about you. We love ya.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard, created a new and winning strategy, and who gave time and money to make this happen! Let's celebrate because this is a victory that we and the American people truly deserve.

After we have finished celebrating, we need to ponder the lessons of this election so that we don't make the kinds of mistakes the Republicans did.

Here are the mistakes I saw:
1. Hubris. It was the GOP acting as if they had a mandate when they hadn’t actually won the popular vote in 2000. It was letting men who had no military experience set policy for the military because they were sure they were smarter.
2. Forgetting about what is best for the country. It was GOP leaders lining their own pockets at the expense of the country and the middle class. It was appointing people based on ideology and GOP contributions instead of finding the best person for the job. It was the GOP letting the far Right and business call the shots instead of working with the Center.
3. Basic honesty. It was the pretense of moral superiority while turning a blind eye to corruption and other moral failings.

As we go forward, let us remember these errors. Even though we might be tempted to thwart (and I'm using a nice word here) the Republicans at every turn (as they did us), Democrats need to keep a keen eye on what is best for the country. That means work with moderate Republicans for the good of the country.

It's time to stop Beltway Banditry. It's time to put policies in place that help every American. Of course we should clean up the mess in Iraq and Afganistan, but we also need to think about the homeless, those without healthcare, dirty air and water, greenhouse gases, education, and the babyboomer retirement, to name a few. Let's be true leaders. Let's expect honesty even when it isn't pretty. Let's get to work!

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard, created a new and winning strategy, and who gave time and money to make this happen! Let's celebrate because this is a victory that we and the American people truly deserve.

After we have finished celebrating, we need to ponder the lessons of this election so that we don't make the kinds of mistakes the Republicans did.

Here are the mistakes I saw:
1. Hubris. It was the GOP acting as if they had a mandate when they hadn’t actually won the popular vote in 2000. It was letting men who had no military experience set policy for the military because they were sure they were smarter.
2. Forgetting about what is best for the country. It was GOP leaders lining their own pockets at the expense of the country and the middle class. It was appointing people based on ideology and GOP contributions instead of finding the best person for the job. It was the GOP letting the far Right and business call the shots instead of working with the Center.
3. Basic honesty. It was the pretense of moral superiority while turning a blind eye to corruption and other moral failings.

As we go forward, let us remember these errors. Even though we might be tempted to thwart (and I'm using a nice word here) the Republicans at every turn (as they did us), Democrats need to keep a keen eye on what is best for the country. That means work with moderate Republicans for the good of the country.

It's time to stop Beltway Banditry. It's time to put policies in place that help every American. Of course we should clean up the mess in Iraq and Afganistan, but we also need to think about the homeless, those without healthcare, dirty air and water, greenhouse gases, education, and the babyboomer retirement, to name a few. Let's be true leaders. Let's expect honesty even when it isn't pretty. Let's get to work!

I moved to states when Howard Dean dropped out. That was "the end" for me. I liked the idea of the 50-state strategy and i believed in it. Finally the day is here where you can stand up again and say "yes I live in the states". Things will change to the good. (personally i would like to see Howard Dean running for president. I think he would have the respect from the world)

Thank you Howard Dean and to everyone else that helped make this one of the best days of my life!!

I am in Fort Wayne Indiana and was dismayed to see almost a dozen local races where there was no Democratic candidate running against the Republican candidate. This must be a priority, these lesser elections are where candidates that will one day run for larger offices at the local, state and national levels must cut their teeth.
This needs to be a priority and Gov. Dean appears to be the type of leader who can help make this happen!

The Doctor is in!

Howard Dean is a winner!

Howard brought the foreign concept of the 50 state strategy to the Democratic Party and ruffled so many feathers.

Dean's strategy worked! Without his idears and effort, no campaign structure would have been in place in many areas. Dean is the visionary we need.

Onward and upward to bigger wins in the future.

Thank you Howard...dfaROCHESTER loves you! :)

I want to say thank you to Howard Dean for the 50-state strategy which worked to give us our victory. I hope that the critics of this policy now recognize its merits, and its importance to all of us in rebuilding our party and turning our country back to a saner course.

My most fervent hope, as an election integrity activist, is that the party on the ground in the 50 states today set itself a goal of establishing honest and free and accessible and secure elections on the precinct level.

That means demanding full real independent testing by nonpartisan specialists in technology of any voting equipment to be used in the precincts. That means public, and not private ownership, of voting systems, and no secret software, or secret switches, or multi-million dollar payoffs to cronies of any political party.

That means the oversight by both parties of the voting setup at the precinct level, and quarantees about the number of voting machines that will be functional and available to use. I want the Democratic Party to make itself responsible, finally, for overseeing the honesty of the voting systems on the local level.

I want the Democratic Party to take the lead in establishing a bipartisan system of rules with strict penalties for harrasment of voters, for efforts to disenfranchise voters through dishonest means.

I want the Democratic Party to stand up for the honest, clear and accessible right to register to vote for every American citizen, and for the right to vote, and to have that vote counted honestly and openly.

I am asking for a commitment of resources from the Democratic Party to start today and to be in effect, so that voters can count on it, by the 2008 elections.

Sandra Yolles

Richmond, CA

Today is such a banner day for democrats, but now the hard work begins. It is important for us to demonstrate to voters that they made the right choice and it will be the right choice again in '08. We cannot get caught up in a witch hunt. Let's be forward-looking, not stuck in a blame game. It will only make us look petty and partisan.

We need to focus on the issues that are important to the American people -- jobs for people in states/communities where the economy is not booming; a livable wage for hard-working Americans; accessible, affordable healthcare - especially for our seniors; affordable higher education; a rational exit strategy in Iraq and adequate support for our soldiers and their families; a sensible stance on stem-cell research that will allow us to save thousands of lives; and campaign finance reform to stop this obscene waste of money that would be spent to do so much good!

Let's make sure that in '08, we are giving people a reason to vote FOR Democrats and not against Republicans.

Let's find a candidate for '08 that we can all get behind and, more importantly, who is electable.

And finally, Thank you Gov. Dean for your leadership!

Proud to be a liberal democrat!

Lieberman Changes the Balance of Power by simply changing back to DEM? Doesn't VIRGE on VIRGE ina.

Congressional power does not virge on virge inia. It virges on Lieberman going back to DEM. What good does it do NOW for him to stay IND.? Why the hell isn't a single news source speaking of this?

Thank you Howard Dean! You never gave up and you never gave in. You put your country first and you are a true patriot.

I live in South Carolina, and I like the idea of the 50-state strategy, although the Democrats here really didn't win much more than we already had!

We were able to hold onto 2 U.S. Congressional seats though. Jim Clyburn and John Spratt. I am so very proud of them both!

Posted by Steven on November 8, 2006 at 07:26 PM What good does it do NOW for him to stay IND.?

Men and women all across the country told Congress and the White House, in a very big way, to change course, especially in Iraq.

While holding to a losing course in Iraq has been Joe's message these last few years he's a politican first and foremost.

He promised the voters of CT that he would caucus with Democrats. If he breaks his promise to the people who elected him, or if he himself does not change his message and ignores the calls for change coming from all parts of the country

he'll be committing political suicide.

It's nice to see all these new people posting and the comments are wonderful.

For myself, Howard - I've been with you since 2003. Thanks again for all you've done for the Democratic Party and for the country. I'll likely never get an A in your course on being a good citizen, but it's been rewarding helping those who do.

i'm so happy, i almost can't stand myself. thank you gov.dean. i knew you'd do a great job. living here in the green mountain state, and knowing a little bit, and voting for howard for gov., i'm not suprised at his work ethic.
thank you to all the workers, who without them, our win would not have been possible.
now lets get on with honest, open government. no behind door deals for special interests. lets put the american people, all of the american people first.
god bless the usa. and the democratic party.

An open letter to Rep. Polosi and the Democratic Party:

Dear Ms. Polosi, In the wake of the Democrat's victory in the House and prospectively in the Senate, I was disappointed with your comments that indicate complacency with the Bush administration. President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney amongst others are war criminals, have committed high crimes, and should be impeached. I think the Democrats would be remiss and would be flagrantly abdicating their responsibilities if they did not impeach both the President and Vice-President. Please do not waste your power or our votes. We've fought hard and deserve as much.

Dr. Dean, thank you from the bottom of my Missouri-dwelling heart.

We tried for years to get the attention of the national committees. They wanted our money, but they spent it on "safe" races in blue states and we realized no return.

Now, thanks to Dr. Dean we are a force to be reckoned with out here.

The game-clock for 08 is ticking. I want to win again, now that I know what it feels like.

A quick marketing suggestion...has anyone at party HQ thought about making t-shirts to commemorate the election? I think "Back in Blue" would be a nice slogan.

I'm still amazed. 2 out of 4 of our US Reps are Democrats now. I never thought Nancy Boyda could win in her district--I always thought that she was in a hardcore right-wing stronghold. I'm overjoyed to find out that I was wrong!
In my home district, Dennis Moore won with 64% of the vote. Usually, he barely squeezes past his opponents.

THANK YOU HOWARD DEAN!
We didn't will all our local races, but the 50 state strategy and the energy that Dean has brought to the party have worked! We're taking our country back.
Rural upstate New York isn't quite so red today. We're a lovely shade of purple, and everyone who's paying attention knows it. Thank you Dr. Dean!
Jane in Livingston County

THANK YOU HOWARD DEAN!
We didn't will all our local races, but the 50 state strategy and the energy that Dean has brought to the party have worked! We're taking our country back.
Rural upstate New York isn't quite so red today. We're a lovely shade of purple, and everyone who's paying attention knows it. Thank you Dr. Dean!
Jane in Livingston County

The 50-State Strategy is the single best thing to happen to the Democratic Party since FDR. I am thankful we have people in charge who understand that competing at every level means winning at every level.

The good-old-boy Democrats need to understand that the DNC and the netroots were the keys to this victory we savor today.

In the long run, the DCCC/DSCC tactics have led Democrats to frustration and failure. Political movements grow from the ground up; they do not fall from the top down. It's time they get with the program.

Just chiming in to add my

{{{Thanks to Howard Dean!!!}}}

KansasDemocrat - you need to click on my site and search for Nancy Boyda. Back when she was polling about 40%, only two people in the entire central time zone thought she could pull off this upset...Nancy herself, and me.

Its time to see if the rulling party is ready to play ball. If where are member of the armered forces would you want to be there with Kerry being in the ruling party? a good question and this is not a joke. Foly is gone, rep. with issussee are gone. But now its time to get reid of the dem. who are haveing issusses. kerry has to be gone. You are the rulling party now and we know how kerry feels about our troops. incase you for got. terrizing children n woman in the night. and we all no about the joke..ha ha its not a joke with his past history. if are going to rule and br fair to the untied states and just not dem. its time for Kerry to atke a walk or this is just a joke and we will al suffer. and that is no joke. kerry should be out. its not party time its time for the rulling party to do the right thing and take care of our troops that you say you support. lets see how far you are willing to go and do whats right not just for the dem but for the usa armed forces.

Its time to see if the rulling party is ready to play ball. If where are member of the armered forces would you want to be there with Kerry being in the ruling party? a good question and this is not a joke. Foly is gone, rep. with issussee are gone. But now its time to get reid of the dem. who are haveing issusses. kerry has to be gone. You are the rulling party now and we know how kerry feels about our troops. incase you for got. terrizing children n woman in the night. and we all no about the joke..ha ha its not a joke with his past history. if are going to rule and br fair to the untied states and just not dem. its time for Kerry to atke a walk or this is just a joke and we will al suffer. and that is no joke. kerry should be out. its not party time its time for the rulling party to do the right thing and take care of our troops that you say you support. lets see how far you are willing to go and do whats right not just for the dem but for the usa armed forces.

Yo, chucklehead - We have 28 1/2 years in uniform between us, and we are not offended by Kerry's failed joke. We are offended by Captain aWol and 2lt. Other Priorities, however.

TODAY TURNED OUT O BE A TRUELY AWESOME VICTORY FOR US ALL THE WAY AROUND... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Thank you, Governor Dean for sticking to your guns (sic) and pushing the 50 state strategy. I've been learning your strategy since your first meet-up in Madison, WI and after moving up to the northwoods 2 years ago, helped build the county party. I'm 60 yrs. old and feel like a kid today!!! I'm so happy!

Here in Wisconsin (8th CD)we used the Dean strategy and WON an open seat for the Dems! Our AG race did NOT use "50-state strategy" and lost, after a bitter, nasty primary race that pushed aside our incumbant AG.

Again, thank you!

I am so happy! thank you HOWARD DEAN for leading the party to victory! maybe I am still a Democrat after all! this is an amazing day full of hope! I am crying but for a change I am crying tears of joy! we cannot bring back all the dead American soldiers and Iraqis but we can bring justice through investigations and then IMPEACHMENT! I will settle for nothing less! I have sent you any money that I can spare and I encouraged everyone I know to get out and vote for change! I know there are many issues we must face but the only way we can ever make this war right is through IMPEACHMENT! KING GEORGE IS GOING DOWN!!! and I don't care if we go back to the Clinton tax code. I haven't noticed much difference in my paychecks. It's definately not worth this war to me. Nancy Pelosi is just gushing! she looked beautiful on tv tonight! I hope she knows what responsibility she has to us out here proudly hanging to the LEFT. I have been hard on her from time to time but I am hopeful that she will begin investigations and try to right this terrible injustice in Iraq!
THANK YOU HOWARD AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!
PLEASE MAKE US PROUD! THE FIGHT HAS ONLY BEGUN!
WE CANNOT PLAY NICE!!! IT'S TIME TO GO FOR THE THROAT! IMPEACH THE SOBs and make Pelosi the PRESIDENT!!!!!

Florida NEEDS YOUR HELP!
the seat formerly held by Katherine Harris - have the race down to a razor-thin margin, with Christine down just 364 votes.

It wouldn't be a Florida election without ballot problems and a recount, would it?

The Florida Democratic Party needs YOUR help to ensure problems are uncovered and all the votes are counted in the automatic recount that is about to begin in Congressional District 13. Initial returns show less than 400 votes separate Democrat Christine Jennings from her Republican opponent.

We need help fielding teams of canvassers to go door-to-door to document any problems that occurred in Sarasota County. This effort will cost tens of thousands of dollars to conduct. Will you help us raise $20,000 in the next 48 hours to show the Republicans we are serious about this? We're not going to let them take this seat without a fight.

The latest vote tallies for Congressional District 13 - the seat formerly held by Katherine Harris - have the race down to a razor-thin margin, with Christine down just 364 votes.

https://secure.fladems.com/page/contribute/cd13recount

We Won!

We Rock!

We will win again in 2008!

Governor Dean,
I am very grateful to you for the democratic victory yesterday. I want you to know that I am aware that your strategy gave hope back to the more rational element of this country.
I supported you in 2004, I support you now, and I would be happy to support you in 2008.
Thanks for all that you have done for the party of the people.

I have to say it again...the DNC RULES!

The 50-State Strategy is the cornerstone, but you should also be commended for coming up with the first-time donor match program, too. It was the best Dem fundraiser of the season. The emails from new donors were wonderful and made me keep coming back to make more matches.

I've never contributed so much $, nor have I ever felt so good about doing it!

I can think of one thing I would hope the Dems have been considering for a while that would help them, and the democracy in this nation:

Re-instate the Fairness Doctrine.

Naturally, theres alot of other stuff I would hope to see (Throwing down Taft-Heartly, gradually forming a better plan for the War, etc.), but this would do more to reestablish the democratic process in this country than anything else.

I can think of one thing I would hope the Dems have been considering for a while that would help them, and the democracy in this nation:

Re-instate the Fairness Doctrine.

Naturally, theres alot of other stuff, but this would be a simple task that would pave the way for better, more democratic times to come.

Oops, sorry.

We won in most races in Dallas County, the former home of President Bush.

We can take complete control in 2008 in Austin, Texas and in Washington.

Thanks Dr. Dean!!

I too cried tears of joy and continue to do so. This is one of the strangest feelings I've ever had, hope? Maybe for the past 6 years I've been dead inside and just didn't know it. After 2000 I thought our democracy was a sham. I couldn't believe that vote rigging could occur in this great country of ours. I was really depressed. Then 9/11 happened and the whole world went to hell. In 2003 Howard Dean stood up and challeneged the administration even when everyone else was afraid too. It was amazing to me that he stood up for what he believed and challenged the status quo, even when the entire country was paralyzed with the fear of terrorism. That is true courage and leadership. I voted for him in the primary even when I knew he was going to lose. In 2004 I voted for the first time in a presidential election. I was 27 years old. I have continued to vote and be engaged in politics since (and of course I voted in this election). Just wanted to say thanks.

Thanks Governor Dean: Let us hope that we have all learned from past mistakes and make good on all promises of reform, and that we start putting "constituents" first and ahead of "corporate" transnational's this time. That is why we all worked to win the Election.
Now, is time to produce results...

I had a long letter about Dean's comment about Impeachment being off the table.
It made me so depressed writing a response to that statement that I think I will just have to sit down for a bit. Mabey until 2009. What have I worked for this cycle anyway. No investigations done but already impeachment ruled out. Oh, I thought I worked for some oversight. I guess we will have oversight with no penalty. Just like it is now.
Yaa, go lawbreakers...whoopie...
completely disgusted...

No, I need to say it cause I have been weeping inside since 9/11 as my nation disapeared.

We must decide which is more important.
Using Bush's actions to build for the next election and possibly look as if we let W. off the hook.
Or if the investigations determine official misconduct and serious Administration law breaking doing what is demanded by the constitution and seek impeachment in the Democratic Senate.
Does our dislike of Cheney keep us from doing what is our duty?

Impeachment cannot be used as the Reds used it. Politically.
Dean and Democrats must build public emotion based on investigations. Which will force the Reds to have to agree to impeach or face the anger of the next election.

I just read that Dean has ruled Imeachment is off the table.
I just have to say that to say thas before even a single investigation into this administration has been done is a diservice to this nation and Dean's position.
Say we are not considering it, say it is not what we are activly seeking to bring about, say we are not Republicans who use politics in this way.
Do Not Dismiss It Outright.
Most Americans think Bush has broken his oaths and the laws.
Talk about how we are going to get to the bottom of just what this Administration has done.
How we are going to let the American people know if there is anything that has been done that was wrong and exactly what that is.
Explain how Bush imprisoned an American Citizen, refused him contact with his mother or lawyers for over 2 years, then when the courts finally got involved he eventually had to release him to be tried in a regualar court room in Florida.

Build on the public outrage already there.
Intense OPEN hearings, EXACTLY what brought down Nixon. Public outrage.

When the people are educated to the fact that the Bill of Rights, as of this current time, effectivly does not exist, with knowledge that the president did this, people will turn even more against this administration,
the Republican minority will be forced to join due to public pressure, then we will see a successfull and just Impeachment.

" Very few people understand that as a matters stand right now an agent of the President - FBI, CIA, Military etc. merely has to point a finger at any human being in the whole world, citizen or non-citizen, and declare that person an “enemy combatant” and eo instante (immediately) that human being has lost all rights including coming before a court, being advised of charges against him, having representation by counsel and according to the Bushies that human being can be held incommunicado, rendered to another government for torture or just disappeared
into secret CIA prisons.

The Suprmeme Court on July 11 cast some doubt on these powers but as a matter of fact they are still being excercised with impunity until Congress legislates differently.

Now it is true that YOU, dear reader are not likely to be arrested but that is not the point. The point is the government can do this to you. This means that every right you thought you had under the Constitution no longer applies.
How many citizens are aware of this? Has the media expalined this to our citizens? The answer is NO.
Furthermore I have to report that the people to whom I have pointed this out agreed this was not a good thing but were in no way excited or outraged
when I pointed it out.

So we have no Patrick Henry around to say things like “Give me Liberty or give me death”. Apparently 9/11 has burned up the Bill of Rights with the NY Towers.

To this extent the terrorists have already won. "
'Samoking'

I have spent 4 years yelling as loud as I could this Administrations actions were not constitutional, that if we lost these rights then the terrorists did win. That someone needed to start yelling fire! and get us back on track to be the nation we are. But no one realized. The leadership has an opprotunity to educate the masses as to what this administration did that was wrong, why it was wrong, and how to prevent it. I hope they are up to the task.

I am not calling for impeachment now, but intense investigation. I admit I have a fierce defense of our basic rights, and also even those of fellow citizens who might be enemys, because if we don't have respect for the laws then one day my enemy may be in power and take my rights.
Otherwise I don't see how he couldn't deserve at least censure for his illegal Prolonged detainment of certain citizens.

No talk of abortion or gay marriage. The democrat's went into the closet this election. And it looks like they will stay there. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the democrats have went to the middle of the road. Not only have the gone to the middle of the road they have built a house there.

People want change and voted for change. That can not happen by standing in the middle of the road.

Will we see an end to the Iraq war. Will we see all our troops home by the end of the year, or next year.

No.
It could happen it should happen.

When ask about Iraq, the new speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi says , (The President makes foreign policy). That is true , but Congress controls the budget. Nancy Pelosi and the democrats can stop this, they can end this nightmare now.

They have the house and the senate, they can stop this.

The democrats will not stop funding for the war because they are scare of a gop ad saying' troops are running out of bullets because of democrats.

People who want an end to the war put you in office. Do not forget that.

The six for 06, the plan for the frist 100 hours in office. All well and good. But not enough.

Stop the war. Don't play politics, don't spend the next two years blaming bush.

Do what is right.

Nation wide voter turn out was about 36 percent.

A lot of these races were close and voter turn out was key. Bad whether in 15 states may effected voter turn out , as it does every year. 15 freaking states. A lot of flooding in the state of Washington. Some people can not even leave there home.

Election Day should be move to one of the summer months.

Election Day should not be just one day, but a 3 day election. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Democrat or Republican you have to agree that a one day election is wrong. A 3 day election would give more people the chance to vote.

http://novus-ordo-seclorum.us/2006/11/election-day-2006-america-votes-well.html

DEMS ROCKED THE VOTE
HOWARD DEAN YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

now let's do something about Election Day can't we have a National day off for workers on Electon Day
since Veteran's Day is in the same week, can't we celebrate our Veterans by having our most important civic duty combined into the same day
National Veteran's Day and Election Day combined day off and make it 24 hours and not just from 6:30 a.m. til 7:30 p.m.

Having worked the Florida polls on election day, I was able to view a whole new perspective.
Many people did not know where to vote and were confused as to whether or not they were at the correct preceint. According to one of the voters, who had moved from Virginia, we were advised that their voter's registration is linked to their driver's license.
When they move, their voter's registration automatically moves as well. She was amazed Florida's did not do the same. Why doesn't everyone do this, thereby registering even more voters? We are missing the boat here!
Go Democrats!!!

Amazing how a failed election will cause the President to eat his words about backing Mr. Rumsfeld, saying that he was going to pull him off the job whether the Republicans won or not.
The thing we need to concentrate on for 2008 is a candidate with an absolutely squeeky clean record of EVERYTHING. The biggest disappointment in this election, was the fact, that once again Florida will be governed by another Republican.
Why, because all the negative campaign adds about Jim Davis not showing up really affected the votes. Whoever runs for President had better have a great political record, fantastic morals, and be able to maintain their composure at all times. Mr. Kerry what were YOU thinking. Go Democrats!!

Ok, the election's over, and it's time to get closer to the heart of things. Somebody prompted me to deeply consider our political reality this morning, by accusing the Democratic party of being exclusionary toward mainstream America, and by asserting that the party's real problem is that we're trying to shove issue like same-sex marriage down America's collective throat. The analysis that followed got interesting, not to sat inflammatory, and the relative peace immediately following an election seems a suitable time to share it.

Here are the words to which I responded:

>

Here begins my analysis of why such untrue accusations are characteristic of American politics. I will acknowledge in advance that this analysis, and its conclusions, are going to upset some people. So far, I have yet to see any real refutation of either the facts or the logic used:

I have to debunk this. It's just absolutely bass-ackwards.

What's really taken place, since Reagan, is that the Republicans have been exploiting the leftover racist resentments that were raised by the Civil Rights movement, and have given a home to that regimented attitude for the purpose of polarizing the country internally. For their own benefit, they have promulgated a political environment just a few steps short of civil way within the US. The Democrats are the big tent party, pointedly making room for the minorities; the republicans have cultivated bigotry into a base, and succeed by pandering to the dark, hidden weaknesses in the human heart.

Because the Democrats were in power during the Civil Rights fight of the 20th century, they were forced to transform their philosophy, from the simplistic, familiar, and, above all, easy rationalizations of past behavior to a more inclusive, and necessarily more complex world view. The Republicans watched from the sidelines.

Reagan was a racist, misogynistic, jingoistic monster. The truest expression of his personality ever captured on film was a nasty little propaganda piece called "Prisoner of War", in which his lead character tried to beat a fellow prisoner to death for being broken by Korean torture.

Reagan's seminal perception was that he himself harbored a deep and abiding resentment of the fact that he was being increasingly constrained from abusing others, and that he was far from alone in harboring this resentment, and that he could, if he were subtle in his approach, use these burning resentments to forge a political power base. He appealed to all the disenfranchised bigots of America, and the bigots answered him.

The basis of modern Republican political philosophy is to form a coalition of those who resent, repudiate, and oppose the intellectual and social progress of 20th century America. It's really the most obvious of political equations: identify the people who feel most offended by the behavior of your political opponents, and then present yourself as a leader in the way most attractive to your potential new base.

Because the prevailing trends of twentieth century America under the Democrats were toward rationalism and social equality, the people whose wishes the Democrats had left unaddressed were the know-nothing religious, and bigots of all stripes; these were also the angry Americans, those most accustomed to being on top, accustomed to running things their way, who were displaced from their positions of power by the events and emergent philosphies of the Civil Rights movement. It was from the outrage of ignored religious fanatics and bigots of all kinds that the Republican Revolution was born.

So you see, it's not that the Republicans put up such a big tent. Except for the Blacks, whom they fear for their numbers and their acute awareness of past oppression, the Republican "big tent" is a place for bigots to rule, and for minorities to disappear into their assigned places. It is a regimented assembly of angry Americans bent on reestablishment of an old order based on ruthless pigeonholing of all minorities, and on the exploitation and perpetuation of old hatreds; it is a cult of wengeance. This is the Republican center; this is the source of their determination and resilience. Even in the face of their terrible strength, this is why they must be stopped.

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This is the core of Republican propaganda, the lie that covers for the ugly truth of modern Republican philosophy: fear of the encroaching minorities, the unfamiliar, the unacceptable, the strange, and of change itself. To create stasis, to roll back progress, to reconquer the underclasses of the past, the Republican leadership propagandizes fear of the oppressed, hatred of those but lately accepted by society at large, and the lure of renewal of past supremacy. Though most Republicans turn a blind eye to their philosophical fallacies, easily done in a culture that cultivates ignorance, radical Republican leadership, with eyes wide open, promulgates a culture of deceit, corruption, and death. Even as Goebbels recommended, they accuse their opponents of what they harbor in their own dark hearts.

The Democrats have abandoned irrational religious dogma, systematic social oppression, and intellectual laziness because they were forced to do so; the Republicans, out of power, standing on the sidelines, were not so affected. Out of the darkness most Americans tried to cast aside, the Republicans have forged a sword of bigotry, zealotry, and hatred, and, with that sword, they mean to conquer the world.

There can be no reconciliation with such evil. What Reaganite republicans have done is to hijack the party of representative government and make into the party of the sword; they will not be satisfied until all bend the knee to their will.

Fabulous turn of events, but now it's time to buckle down and get to work. First priority : differentiate ourselves from the GOP by showing that we are the true "family values" party. Let's move forward aggressively on issues that no one can "morally" oppose: (1) access to healthcare for ALL American children, regardless of socio-economic status (are we the only country in the Western world not to have this?? and we're supposedly better off than people in other countries??); (2) access to cheap prescription drugs for seniors and American families (why should we pay more than Canadians for the same drugs, which are often developed in the US??); (3) a raise for American workers ($5.15 for a minimum wage is ridiculous -- in France, a country that has a lower cost of living, the minimum wage is 8.27 euros, or $10.50, more than double!).

Let's make it clear that all of these are moral issues, and that anyone who opposes them is clearly putting the interests of big business before the interests of the American people. I'd like to see the Democratic party engage in an aggressive advertising campaign for these issues. I'd like to see Democratic leaders on the talk-show circuit, on the Internet, touring the country, letting everyone know that these reforms can work and do work in other countries and in our own. I'd like them to attack the morality of any Republican who dares to oppose these issues. Republicans did not stay in control of the House for 12 years by being nice and sharing the power with Democrats. We need to keep the focus on our own positive agenda to counterbalance the conservative media bias and the Republican spin doctors. It's time to take back our country!

I'm now a Victory Bond contributor and am happy to contribute if the money is being put to use to build the democratic organization (I don't like the idea of my money being poured into expensive media buys). Your message about the work the Democratic Party has been doing was effective, particularly coming after the wins in the election. Keep up this work -- keep building and making new inroads across the country. I'm feeling hopeful. Thank you.

Gov. Dean,

Congratualtions on your 50-state strategy. As promised, you've delivered the House and the Senate. Now on to the White House in 2008!

From all of my family, thank you so much, Governor Dean.

The past pattern of playing to the characterization of our country as Red States versus Blue States was terribly devisive, and perpetuatated stereotypes and ignorance of other Americans. With the insight of the physician, you realized that when we try to know all Americans, and let them get to know us, we can usually find common ground of similar needs and hopes.

In my opinion, this is a good philosophy among countries, too, and quite possibly could be the vaccination that the world seeks -- to innoculate against unsubstantiated fear and hatred which arises and festers from self-imposed ignorance.

Thank you for your courage and your pursuit of innovative ideas, often in the face of adversity.

about the impeachment issue,

It would not be healthy to impeach him (even though I agree whole heartedly he should be). A large number of this country still supports this moron no matter what he's done. We have gone through 6 years of division do you really want 2 more? In addition impeachment would take up time that should be devoted to fixing the economy and the mess in Iraq. look the guys done enough damage to himself and will go down as the worst president in history. Imagine them writing this in history books 100 years from now. It would probably take 2 years to impeach him anyways. I am for supoenas and intense investigations though.

Cheers,
Randy

Oh also,

Cheney would be next to succeed him do you really want that lol:)

Thank you Governor Dean for the 50 state program.

Once again, I can feel proud to be a democrat. Thank you doctor Dean, for going a long way to cure our country's ills.

I am worrying that we may not have the U.S. Senate as much as we think that we do, because of Joseph Lieberman. Right now, with the two Independents (Joseph Lieberman of Conneticutt, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont) we have 51 seats in the Senate. I think that it is a safe assumption that we can count on Sanders to stay with us, but I am not as sure about Lieberman. Because, remember that the Democratic Party up there in Conneticutt tried to get rid of Lieberman! Lieberman may harbor some resentment for that. And, since he already seems to agree with the Bush Administration on some things, he could one day decide to caucus in the Senate with the Republicans. As an Independent, he has the right to choose which side he will caucus with. Right now, he is with the Democrats, but there is no guarantee that he will stay with us!

I think that we had better start right now thinking about the Senate races in 2008! A lot of the Senate seats that will come up in 2008, are in the kinds of states that the Democratic Party has in recent past, not given a whole lot of thought to. Deep South states such as South Carolina (my home state), and hard-leaning Republican states out in the interior west, such as Utah, may be the kinds of states that will probably decide the next election in 2008, concerning the Senate seats. I know that it will also be a Presidential election year, so we need to not get so caught up in that, that we forget about the Senate races!

Thanks to Howard Dean

I have never seen Democrats, REAL Democrats, act with such resolve, passion, efficacy. Today I am proud to be a Democrat. And yes, Dr. Dean, we are just getting started. Because for the next two years, we need to work on taking back the White House.
Huzzah!

How about reaching out and trying to *register* the libertarian and fiscal conservative wings of the Puggies as Dems. We could point to numerous example of how we fit their values better than the Puggies (i.e. Surplus v Deficits, Privacy v. Terry Schiavo) and we offer them the opportunity to shape policy.

We could isolate the Puggies with the just the social conservatives and relegate them to obscurity forever.

Dr. Dean,
Thank you so much for all your persistent and unrelenting commitment to the DLC.
Without you we would not have been as successful as we were.
You have done us PROUD !!!
Thank You~~~~ Your 50 State Strategy was Brilliant.

oop...I meant to say 'DNC'

I want Bredesen to become president.
Bredesen (governor of Tennessee) is a very smart man. If you look at Bredesen's web site you be amazed of how organize he is.
Bredesen should do very well against any republican candidate for president.
1) People pay much more attention to governors than senators. There is one governor per state and two senators per state. The governor has much more control of the state than senators. People pay more attention the person in power. That's one of the reasons why bush beat Gore in the 2000 presidential election. In fact, Gore's own state (Tennessee) voted for bush.
2) On Tuesday of November 7 0f 2006, millions of people reelected Bredesen for governor. Bredesen had 69 percent of the votes. That means a lot of people love him. If a lot of people love him than there is more of a chance that he will have more campaigners for the 2008 election.

Mr Dean you have my gratitude and I hope you keep up the good work! thanks