we will never give up
“Dean infused (and is likely still infusing) a better and more open discourse among all the candidates and among Democratic leaders. He has channeled the
anger (yes, it is anger) with the Bush administration about the war, individual freedoms, taxation, public policy, etc., etc., into a much more up-front discussion. The other candidates are openly countering Bush
policies and in their rebuttals to the State of the Union — I believe that Nancy Pelosi and Tom Daschle echoed Dean-infused sentiments about the address and the administration itself that they might not have raised 6
months ago when everyone was still cow-towing to the administration. In other words, Dean and his supporters have raised the debate to one that is suddenly in the national collective currency. This is no small thing –
whether or not Dean wins the nomination, he and his supporters will have achieved something that is perhaps greater and more valuable.”Anne Baber Wallis, Professor, University of Iowa
Kerry and Edwards over Dean
Most of our neighbors went for Kerry in the caucus. The feeling was that Kerry will be able to correct mismanaged military intervention but of course we only need such a correction because of Bush adventuring. Edwards got a boost when Gebhardt preference caucus participants crossed over to Edwards.
The Dean supporters were predominately first time caucus participants and young. This contingent and its energizing candidate probably accounts for the immense turnout more than twice the highest projection. Johnson county high projection was 6,000 caucus attendance. In 57 precincts we had awsome turnout well over 12,000.
Howard Dean will continue. He has set the stage for the displacement of Bush.
MLK day and Iowa Caucus day
Dr. King’s struggle was one of engagement. Activism. Participation. “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict,” said King. (from Craig)
Howard Dean had his last rally before the caucus here in Iowa City. Joyce and I were on the stage with other precinct captains. The fire department closed the door after the first 1,800 packed the room. The Storm volunteers (from other states) dutifully left to enable more Iowans to get in.
The furvor and cheers were well beyond reality. It was difficult to hear the Governor on stage, but we all knew much of the content by heart and chanted along with our favorite passages. After his speech he went down into the crowd. He was attracted to those with a handicap and deliberately grasped them on both shoulders. We saw the expressions of everyone he greeted. It was like a live feed from a Gospel.