I have friends who continue to be for Kucinich. Rather than antagonizing them or pandering to them, Dean has simply stated his points to them, and is waiting for them to come around, waiting for them to hear the voices of their fellow Democrats.

This is the best, most respectful way to treat Kucinich. Let him and his have their hearing. Let Democrats make their decision. And then, let's all unite.

I wonder, though, if we have plans in place to scale once the nomination gets in our grasp. Right now we serve about 500,000. Can we serve 10 million or more?

That's the technology challenge. We can't be just a collection of Web sites. We have to become the equivalent of AOL.
Dana Blankenhorn | Email | Homepage | 11.07.03 - 10:26 am | #

OK first off, let's see if we can distinguish between pandering and seeking votes. I can remember when Tsongas accused Clinton of pandering to old people... well Tsongas was wrong, Clinton wasn't lying, and the old people trashed Tsongas.

And Second, can we look at this whole issue in the context of other events this week? Specifically two Dem governorships going to the Republicans? And what about California? This is a crisis.
wellbasically | Email | Homepage | 11.07.03 - 12:05 pm | #

wellbasically, i agree that we are in a crisis. i feel that the elections of rethugs in miss & kentucky were a nice validation of dean's point, which was that we MUST start building a coalition in the south.

and yes, pandering and seeking votes are two different monsters. from my observation, it seems like the political dialogue in this country has gone to shit, so every time a candidate tries to reach out and get votes, he/she is accused of pandering.
anna | Email | Homepage | 11.07.03 - 1:03 pm | #

Seems to me, pandering is telling a particular group just what everyone thinks they would like to hear, when your record shows no real interest in or support for that group's needs. That's a far cry from attempting to feel out what that group has in common with other groups, so they can be brought into a coalition without giving up the whole farm to get their votes. That's expanding your base. That's what the Gov. was trying to do with the flag comment, before he got bludgeoned on the back of the head with it by Al & John & John & Joe. But those guys only know how to do the old-style special interest politics, because that's the Washington way.

This campaign feels a whole lot different than that. I think Dean has a real talent for tunneling right under everyone's superficial concerns, and coming up with the things that working people can agree on.
tencentlife | Email | Homepage | 11.07.03 - 8:02 pm | #

I think Dean has a real talent for looking like a pissed off white guy.
Dr Dean | Email | Homepage | 11.07.03 - 9:35 pm | #