While I lay sleeping (a solid six hours, thank you), the brain did its work.
First, it went over that NY letter supposedly "releasing" delegates that haven't been selected yet. Now I know what the problem is. In addition to getting on the ballot, every candidate (should) is able to select a slate of delegates. These are real people. Kerry doesn't have any in New York. Indeed, in some counties he didn't even get on the ballot. So the letter would seem to be an effort to redirect resources from the Dean campaign elsewhere. Don't let it happen. Somebody in New York should find those delegates now and reassure them that they are still important.
Second, efforts to remove Howard Dean's name from the ballot because he's not actively campaigning also need to be resisted most strenuously. After all, in most states there are lots of other candidates for President who are not "active" in the sense of spending lots of money and organizing armies of supporters. In New Hampshire there were thirteen, if I recall correctly. (It porbably wouldn't hurt if whoever is researching delegates asked to visually inspect the ballots that have been prepared).
Third, because we are all computer literate here we tend to forget that many people are not. Indeed, for a lot of us older folk, the internet experience is limited to receiving and "sometimes" sending email. (People who don't like to write, are only slightly more inclined to use the keyboard). Anyway, the people who aren't hooked up but want to get in touch with DeanforAmerica need an address--someplace to write to and send a check. I know, DUH.
Do you know what the mailing address is in Burlington? I got an email yesterday asking and I had to look it up. Yes, it's there on the main campaign page, in little faint letters.
So, what I'm thinking is that all those flyers you all are making to hand out to the un-hooked-up are in need of a slight addition. ADD THE P.O. BOX ADDRESS!!!!!
Governor Howard Dean, MD
Dean for America
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, Vt. 05402
Do it in big letters for people with not so good eyes and add a note that checks and money orders can be sent there. Cash too, though that's probably less desired because of the additional paper work. But I'm sure most of you remember fondly getting a card from a barely remembered relative with a nice crisp bill for your birthday.
If nothing else, such mail would lift the spirits at both ends of the communication.
For those of you most intrepid door-to-door canvasers, you might consider taking some pre-addressed, stamped envelopes along just for people who don't happen to have such things handy.
The occasional young person you run into who's an avid letter writer might appreciate an envelope too. (We sometimes forget that in some households writing materials are a luxury. Not to mention that buying stamps has become a bit of a bother).
Fourth is that while I haven't yet had time to read this thread entirely, I did notice at the top some concern about union members whose leadership has fli-flopped. Aside from the fact that the members are probably already used to such behavior, it shouldn't affect our attitude towards those who have volunteered to be delegates for Dean. It should, however, lead us to make sure that they continue to perceive themselves as an important part of the process. As you identify them in you state or district, let them know you appreciate their commitment to changing things in America.
Posted by Monica Smith at February 20, 2004 02:51 AM
Dear Monica,
You folks are the best! I hope you will all keep active both in our new
enterprise as we develop it, and also in the short term. We can still
send delegates to the convention, and we should. If you are in a state
with district, and state conventions, please make sure everyone goes, so
that we send all the delegates we are entitled to. If you are in a state
that has not yet voted, be sure to vote. We'll have a great time at the
convention.
Thank you all for how hard you have worked, and how much money you
raised. And thanks for getting involved. It feels a hell of a lot
better to try and lose than not to try at all. In any case I have to
say that I don't really feel like we have lost. We only lose if we
quit. There is an enormous amount of power in numbers, and we can still
change this country (and that is exactly what we're going to do!).
Many thanks,
Howard Dean
Hi: Michael Wilcox was one of our volunteers that came up from MA to help with the canvassing on the weekend before the NH primary. He is very active in the Dean campaign in the Berkshires. I thought you might appreciate his letter to the Berkshire Eagle and the article printed in that paper.
Also were you all aware of the recent news printed in The Washington Post about the smear campaign to stop Dean that was launched in Iowa? They ran a horrible ad in all the papers that intimated tha Governor Dean was sympathetic to Osama bin Laden. It now comes out that Richard Gephardt paid $200,000 for the ad and that John Kerry paid $100,000. Also Wes Clark admitted on late night TV that he entered the race at the urging of the Clintons for the specific purpose of stopping Howard Dean. Any wonder that we were so sceptical of politicians before Howard Dean came along and restored our faith in decency, democracy and Dean. Keep the faith and continue supporting Governor Dean in the next phase of the campaign. Marcia
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael F. Wilcox
To: Letters to the Editor Berkshire Eagle
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 10:29 PM
Subject: Kudos to the Berkshire Eagle
To the Editor of the Berkshire Eagle:
Kudos to the Eagle for your elegant tribute to Doctor Dean ["Empowered by Howard" February 19]. Although I realize the Eagle never formally endorsed Dean's candidacy, your editorial stance has left no question in readers' minds as to whom you'd like to see in the White House. I hasten to assure you, as one of the most outspoken of the Berkshire's many, many Deaniacs, that your stance was much noted and appreciated by the multitude of Dean supporters here in the County.
I plan to vote for Howard Dean in the Massachusetts primary on March 2. Some of my friends have urged me to vote for John Edwards, knowing that I have not been a Kerry supporter. Others have suggested that it is time to unite the Party and support Kerry. Some have chastised me for casting away a "protest vote" for Governor Dean. After much soul-searching, I have decided that it is more important to me to pay tribute to the candidate I have labored for during the past few months; a man who, as you note, "has saved the Democratic Party."
Yes, the most important immediate objective is to effect regime change. I will be there to support the eventual Democratic nominee and will work with all my heart to oust the radical neoconservative cabal now ruining our country.
But there is much more to be done. I note, on the front page of the edition in which your editorial appeared, articles about jobs ("Bush team backs off rosy job forecast"), prescription drugs ("Pfizer cuts off Canadian mail-order pharmacies"), gay marriage ("Bushes weigh in on gay weddings"), and education ("Budget cuts take toll on teachings staffs"); all hot-button issues in the upcoming election.
Yes, we need to take back the White House. But that is only the start. I know that many of my friends in the Dean campaign, newly-energized by our candidate, will continue to work for fairness, justice, and tolerance in this country, and an end to diplomacy by fiat. So my vote will be for Howard Dean, a man who has given us the insight that we have the power to transform our country and our world. As you note, we "have not heard the last of Howard Dean."