MyDD :: Confessions of a Deaniac

Confessions of a Deaniac

by Jacob Clark, Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 11:49:33 AM EST

I was a supporter of Howard Dean in the Democratic primary contest in 2004. I volunteered as the "Senior Outreach Coordinator" for the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, from August 2003 through January 2004.

I considered myself to be a "Deaniac" as no presidential campaign had caught my attention, fueled my hope and inspired my participation since the 1976 Jimmy Carter campaign. Dean's progressive stands on LGBT issues and his early opposition to the war in Iraq made me a true believer in Howard Dean.

I made some wonderful friends on that campaign, and I still follow Howard Dean as Chair of the Democratic party. He has done a marvelous job as party Chair. His 50-state strategy took back congress in 2006, and it now appears that his strategy is going to be another winning one in November.

So herein is my confession: In November 2004, I chose to not vote. I was disenchanted with the party after Howard Dean lost to John Kerry. I believed then, and still do believe, that Kerry used Dean's talking points in the General Election without ever acknowledging Dean's impact. However, that was a poor reason to boycott the election. And believe me when I say I have regretted that decision ever since the day after I refused to vote.

I am a great fan of the Clinton family, but I did not heed Bill's advice to Deaniacs in 2004. "When it comes to the Primaries," he said, "fall in love with your candidate, but when it comes to the General Election, fall in line with your party."

From 2004 through the election of 2006 (in which I did vote) I refrained from discussing or commenting on politics and the Bush Administration, because I felt I was a part of the problem. It was a healing moment in November 2006, when I pulled the lever for the Democratic party.

This cycle, I was an avid Hillary Clinton supporter and involved campaign volunteer, but I have not made the mistake I made in 2004. When Hillary lost the primary election, I pledged my support to Barack Obama. Obama will make a great president, and I am volunteering for his campaign, in fact I am hosting a fundraiser for Obama on August 19, and I will be co-hosting some happy hours for Obama at a local LGBT bar beginning in late August and running until election day in November.

Four years later, I have heeded Bill Clinton's advice, and I would like my confession to serve as a gentle reminder to Hillary Clinton holdouts that they not refrain from exercising their right to vote in 2008. Remember, Hillary told us in Unity, New Hampshire to vote for Obama, and Bill has recently offered his services to the Obama campaign.

Poll

Votes: 15
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, 2008 voting preferences (all tags)

Permalink :: 40 Comments :: Post a Comment

I'm a Deaniac who loathed Kerry too, (2.00 / 1)

but I voted for him. It was a no-brainer.

I would also have voted for Hillary had she prevailed -- another no-brainer.

I wasn't an original Obama supporter and levied much criticism of him early on, but I'm now glad he became the nominee and will help and vote for him with more enthusiasm than I've had for many years.

by Beren on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 12:32:01 PM EST

Nicely said... (2.00 / 1)

Thanks, Beren. I just hope now that over time, we'll get even more of our fellow Clintonistas to do what Jake & I are doing. There's just no reason a true Hillary Clinton Democrat would do anything to help John McBush. :-)

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 12:36:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm a Deaniac who loathed Kerry too, (2.00 / 2)

I'm glad you made the right choice in 2004. I also have become quite enthusiastic about Obama. I'm all fired up!

If you support Hillary Clinton then do as she is doing: Support Barack Obama.

by Jacob Clark on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:54:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 2)

And the lesson of the story is: Bill Clinton is a political genius and there's a reason he's the only Democrat to be elected President twice since FDR. Not heeding Bill Clinton's political advice generally results in disaster for the Democratic party and our nation.

by LakersFan on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 12:56:47 PM EST

How very true... (2.00 / 2)

Not heeding Bill Clinton's political advice generally results in disaster for the Democratic party and our nation.

Thank you for reminding us. Bill Clinton was a great Democratic President... And we need another great Democratic President to get us out of this mess. :-)

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:48:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 3)

Thanks for the comment. I'm a Lakers fan, too, can't get enough of that team for the past 10 years. I used to live in LA

If you support Hillary Clinton then do as she is doing: Support Barack Obama.

by Jacob Clark on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:52:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Kerry I supported. Obama is different. (1.66 / 3)

Just as you witheld your support from Kerry, some are choosing to withold their support from Obama. It is their right. Does Obama support separation of church/state?

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:30:46 PM EST

Did you even read the diary? (2.00 / 2)

Or are you just here to p**s all over Jake's heartfelt entry and promote more "PUMA" crap here? I mean, don't you have better options for earning your McCain Points?

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:46:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So if I say SOME aren't supporting Obama (none / 0)

and he was quite sexist during the primaries, I'm sorry but he was, you say I'm just a troll earning McCain points.

Thanks.

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:58:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

unsurprising (2.00 / 1)

Glad to see your priorities are in possibly the most ridiculous place possible.

by upstate girl on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:59:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Right - racism, sexism, health care are so low (none / 0)

priority. Those issues affect some people DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY.

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:17:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Right - racism, sexism, health care are so low (2.00 / 1)

While far more are affected by poverty, war, and the environment. Priorities doesn't mean what's most important to only you based on criteria you've already shown to be much more subjective than based in reality. (Which would be evident if you gave a toss about sexism past what you project onto Obama and actually took a peek at McCain's policies.) But by all means, continue to tilt at windmills if it makes you feel more noble.

by upstate girl on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:20:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

They are intertwined, little one (none / 0)

since you refer to yourself as girl not woman I can only conclude you are a little one.

Yes some of us are a little more optimistic and life experience has shown us that life will go on even if we can support causes that are not Obama.

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 07:22:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Right - racism, sexism, health care are so low (2.00 / 1)

So I suppose that's why you're advocating the guy who opposed the Martin Luther King holiday and opposes a woman's right to choose?

by davefordemocracy on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 03:55:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

And how is McCain better on those issues? (none / 0)

OK, so you think Obama is a bit weak on those issue, and Clinton would have been better... but how does that translate into electing McCain and all the neocon baggage he brings along.

Have you read McCains platform?

Have you looked at the advisors he has surrounded himself with?

Good grief do you really want to hand the country over to the Republicans for another 4 to 8 years with so much at stake!?

Well, perhaps you do. Perhaps you always did. Either your sincerity is lacking or your judgement is. In the long run, it doesn't really matter which it is. I only hope you get the chance to learn error of beliefs by witnessing the successes of an Obama presidency rather than watching the train rec that would be a McCain/Republican replay of the Bush years.

Peace

by protothad on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 07:00:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, I'd say... (none / 0)

That you & your few other "PUMA" friends are making a HUGE mistake by jumping on the McBush bandwagon!

Are you OK with McBush calling Chelsea Clinton ugly & saying that she's ugly because Janet Reno is her "father"? Are you now OK with McBush standing silently & smirking while that one woman infamously asked him, "How do we beat the bitch?" And more importantly, are you OK with John McBush's lifetime of opposing equal rights?!

So yes, the Obama campaign made some mistakes during the primary... But can you really equate a few mistakes made during the campaign with a lifetime of opposing equal rights? How would that make sense?

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:41:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Kerry I supported. Obama is different. (2.00 / 1)

And they will be making as big a mistake as the people that withheld their votes in 2004. It's apparent that you are probably a lost cause, but at least a few that think like you may come to their senses before November and realize that the future of this country is more important than their bruised feelings.

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson

by MS01 Indie on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:24:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Who witheld votes in 2004 (none / 0)

besides this diariest? I think 2000 a reasonable chunk voted for Nader. But 2004 was a pretty unified year.

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 07:23:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I voted for Kerry, (2.00 / 1)

even though I never really liked him. I had a hard time getting over Dean. Voting for Obama is the right thing to do, no matter who we supported in the primaries. I'm glad you're following Bill's advice this time around. ;)

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 01:59:39 PM EST

Kerry was more of a Democrat (1.00 / 1)

than Obama. The faith-based thing is pretty bad.

Statements like this are unpersuasive: "voting Obama is the right thing to do."

by catfish2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:18:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I agree with you about (2.00 / 1)

faith-based initiatives. Sadly, Hillary also supported them.

I wasn't trying to persuade people who've already decided not to vote for Obama. I was simply affirming Jacob's position.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:37:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 1)

I voted for Nader in 2000.

I will vote for McCain or Obama/Clinton in 2008

If Obama had 60% of the vote I would have fallen line, if Obama had 55% of the vote I would have fallen in line.

But with <50% of the democratic party member vote Obama needs to fall in line with regards to his VP.

by dtaylor2 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:25:30 PM EST

That makes no sense (none / 0)

Because the primary system is flawed, you will throw the country back to the neocons to further wreck and pillage it. Crazy.

Of course never mind the fact that a 'popular vote' argument is meaningless in a contest that mixes primaries and caucuses... that isn't even worth getting into here. The nomination is over. Hillary is supporting Obama. It is time to decide which of the two remaining candidates is better for the country. I'll give you a hint: Its not the guy that has surrounded himself with the architects of our current economic and foreign policy disasters and pledged to continue Bush's failed policies.

by protothad on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 07:08:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That makes no sense (none / 0)

Seriously if it is a big deal all he needs to do is pick Hillary.

If its not that level of important to him then yes we will stay home and vote McCain.

As such all the polling data in the world doesn't tell you what will happen if a large part of those "Ex Hillary now Obama voters" stay home. IE you can't know if you have enough margin to tell us to F-Off even if you do the polling...

Again if its not important enough to Obama then it won't be important to me as I vote McCain.

by dtaylor2 on Sun Jul 20, 2008 at 02:01:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 1)

Given what Republicans are trying to do to the Supreme Court we're almost at the point where marginal differences between Dem candidates don't matter all that much. Thought this was no where better illustrated than with the FISA bill. The Republicans now probably have four courts on the Supreme Court for the position that the executive branch can intercept communications between the US and rest of the world w/o any authorization of Congress (and if they get one more that's the whole ballgame, a Republican president wouldn't need any FISA bill). Abortion rights are like this. Gay marriage is like this. Same is true for separation of church and state. Really, everything.

by IncognitoErgoSum on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:30:40 PM EST

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 1)

I read your diary.

Then I read the comments.

Then I threw up in my mouth, just a bit.

This is a very good diary that makes an excellent, crucial point.

It's mind-boggling that some people absolutely unable to grasp the point of what you're written.

January 20 & sricki join with The engels in love!

by January 20 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:39:13 PM EST

It's simple. really... (2.00 / 1)

The "PUMA" McTrolls are so self-centered & narcissistic that they can't understand the thought of putting their country first. Sure, they claim "country before party"... But when it comes to a decision like this that's right for BOTH, they refuse to put aside their own egos & do the right thing. I'm so done with these frauds. They do NOT represent Hillary Clinton and they do NOT speak for us real Hillary Clinton Democrats that stand with Hillary in supporting Barack Obama.

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:45:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's simple. really... (2.00 / 1)

I know, I know, I know.

But in this case it's not that they're sticking to their usual fantasies, it's that they don't even seem to comprehend the very simple, heartfelt (and surely heart-wrenching for the diarist) point he's making. They took the advantage to yammer on and on about their position without even addressing - or acknowledging - the simple point of this diary.

We get it already: hundreds of people who had intended on voting for HRC this cycle will now boycott, disrupt, and in a variety of ways, actively work against HRC's party, and her ideals, policies, and interests. They're mightily aggrieved & this is their way of lashing back. And that, my friend, has something to do with the lesson of this diary.

January 20 & sricki join with The engels in love!

by January 20 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 02:55:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (2.00 / 2)

It's kinda sad when you here people who were all out Clinton supprters who intend to either vote for McCain or participate in anti-Obama rhetoric, when Hillary herself has said how important it is to have a Democrat in the WH in 2009 and Bill's statement about how the Democratic Party comes first.

It may have started as a revolt based on HRC and the primary, but now, IMO, it has just turned into a selfish ploy and a complete joke.

A useless "Community Organizer" from Pennsylvania as noted by Republicans, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin

by hootie4170 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 03:17:13 PM EST

Re: Confessions of a Deaniac (1.00 / 1)

The political circumstances in 2004 and 2008 are vastly different. Also you admit your reason for not voting was not a good one.

People have to decide for themselves what to do if they feel marginalized or disenfranchised by the party. Some may regret not voting as you stated. However for others not voting may be as healing as when you voted in 2006.

"No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her." - Susan B. Anthony

by feelfree on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:15:52 PM EST

And yours is? (none / 0)

Gimme a break. How is Hillary helped by not voting or voting McBush? How is this nation helped by not voting or voting McBush? Your "argument" makes no sense. Find another way to earn your McCain Points.

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:38:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And yours is? (none / 0)

Do you have an argument or are you an extremely angry individual? Or is your role to rail at people who don't share your view of right?

Your advice appears to be to those who have been marginalized by the party is do nothing.

Hillary Clinton does not benefit regardless of how I vote in November. She has politely encouraged her supporters to support the presumptive nominee. Most have said yes and others have said no. I haven't heard her railing at those who don't share her point of view. So why are you?

"No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her." - Susan B. Anthony

by feelfree on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 05:03:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And yours is? (none / 0)

No, the advice is not to 'do nothing', but you also should not actively work against your own best interests... and if you are a Clinton supporter, helping elect McCain IS working against everthing Clinton stands for.

You work to improve the party via the primary process. If you see flaws within that process, there are ways to be active within the party to fix it. The ONLY way to get the type of Democratic party you want is to be ACTIVE in the party moving it in that direction. If you think something as unfocused as 'punishing' the party by electing more neocons will somehow yield the changes you want... I suggest you think it through a bit more. It could just as easily send the party in a direction further from what you want. It will certainly send the nation down the tubes.

Need I remind you that McCain's economic advisors are the architects of our current economic fiasco?

Are you aware that his foreign policy team contains some of the worst neocon supporters of the Iraq mess?

Do you think it likely McCain will support anything like real UHC? Or is it more likely Clinton will use her leverage with Obama to get her plan adopted (it wasn't so different from Obama's in the first place).

Who do you trust to push a truly progressive energy policy? The one that has adopted the Edward's 'green jobs' policy and supports Energize America legislation, or the one that gets support from oil company lobbyists.

I could go on and on.

by protothad on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 07:45:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: And yours is? (none / 0)

I respectfully disagree. Clinton has told her volunteers to support Obama, and she told all supporters to support Barack Obama for president in Unity, NH. So, being for Clinton and all she stands for IS being for Obama.

If you support Hillary Clinton then do as she is doing: Support Barack Obama.

by Jacob Clark on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 08:23:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm not sure where we disagree (none / 0)

Yes, if you support Clinton and her goals, you should follow here lead and support Obama. I'm in 100 percent agreement on that. Did I phrase something poorly in my post that gave a different impression?

Thanks for any feedback.

by protothad on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 08:47:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

OK, I think I got what you meant. (none / 0)

Perhaps if you said it like: 'being for Clinton and ALL she stands for IS being for Obama' I might have picked up on it.

I can be a bit dense sometimes. :)

Cheers

by protothad on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 08:50:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I think I got what you meant. (none / 0)

Not dense at all. I'm just learning this site, and my comment was actually directed at someone else. Thanks for your comments, though!

If you support Hillary Clinton then do as she is doing: Support Barack Obama.

by Jacob Clark on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 11:51:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Confessions of another Deaniac (2.00 / 1)

Jacob, I felt very similar to you in 2004. I hated the Kerry campaign so much I heckled him at an event during the primaries. It took me a while, but I got over my resentment and actually went to work as a canvass organizer for Kerry.

I actually think it was harder for us to support the nominee than it is for the Hillary people now because the gulf was so huge between Dean and Kerry. Dean was against the war and the war was the biggest issue for most of us. It was really hard to fall in line with a pro-war nominee.

There were two things that ultimately won me over. First was Bush and the Republicans and their arrogance. The war and the Patriot Act and Abu Ghraib were unconscionable, so Bush was easy to fight against.

Second was Howard himself. His decision to keep the troops together and lead us on to fight for Democrats up and down the ticket was a major influence on me. In fact, I was one of the folks that took up the DFA banner in Los Angeles from hard workers like Jacob. Dean wasn't half-assed about it either, he worked really hard, which was why I was willing to work later on to help get him the chairmanship of the DNC.

One thing that made a big difference was channeling my bitterness away from the presidential race. Until the fall, I decided to volunteer for other Democratic candidates. I ran voter registration drives. I worked on congressional races, senate races, state assembly races, and later on city council and mayoral races. That way I didn't have to help a candidate who I didn't believe in, but I wasn't working at cross-purposes.

If I may, I suggest to the Hillary devotees who aren't yet comfortable with Obama, go out and find a local candidate who inspires you, someone who endorsed Hillary in the primary, and volunteer for that candidate. You'll be glad you did.

by davefordemocracy on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:22:09 PM EST

Well said, Dave! (none / 0)

And yes, this is coming from a Hillary Clinton Democrat AND a DFA member. Check out the top of our site (link in my sig line)... You'll see we've already been busy doing just that. ;-)

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:42:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Confessions of another Deaniac (none / 0)

Excellent commentary, well thought and well written.

If you support Hillary Clinton then do as she is doing: Support Barack Obama.

by Jacob Clark on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 11:48:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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