To me, you can't compare the presidential campaigns of 2004 to the one happening now. In 2004 we were in the midst of war. Even though people didn't like Bush, many rationalized it as being too dangerous or too potentially complicating to switch presidents in the middle of such international crisis. I know this because I have friends in the army, even some who were deployed in Iraq, who swore they hated Bush BUT felt that for the aforementioned reasons, he should remain president. Also, you forget that the Democrats had their own roundabout media powerhouses like P. Diddy, Paris Hilton, and the such, campaigning for the youngsters to "rock the vote," which while claiming non-partisanship were largely lobbying for the Democrats by insinuating the threat of the draft if Bush were to remain president. While I love Hillary Clinton and want her to win, I think the combined fact that she's a woman and her liberal record will make her presidential campaign reminiscent of the "grassroots" movement that you reference, more so than someone like Edwards, who has enough exposure and general liberal-conservative appeal to win the presidency. Obreahny O'Brien
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:10:30 -0800Subject: Re: [videoblogging] Re: John Edwards to Run for President (announcement on YouTube) I'm curious as to how you believe that these things will pull out a winagainst an opponent whose primary weapon is the echo chamber, guaranteeingthat, for every assertion you make, there will be an army of people onevery media outlet imaginable all saying the exact same contradiction towhatever Edwards/Clinton/Whoever says. Kerry often dug his own grave in2004, but it's also very true that he was smothered out in the media--every one of his merits became sidelined, niggled, and confused; every oneof his blunders instantly became a gaping flaw (think about the "flipflopper" label he earned).The grassroots is great for taking Congress, but not a Presidency. Istill remember in 2004 as I marched in the streets for Kerry (even thoughI didn't really like him) and found that our assembled grassroots powerpaled in comparison to the regimented and well-funded power the Bush 2004campaign had. We had our signs, chants, hope, and energy. They had theirsigns, chants, hope, and energy...and several "party wagon" vehicles...anda DJ...and threw major parties that got young people registered and hypedup for Bush...and...and...My sincere belief is that 2008 will be a battle of insiders. Anyone whois overly grassroots is going to find themself in a fourth and long.--Rhett.http://www.weatherlight.com/freetime> By talking plain and simple, by fighting back when he's right, by> offering clear solutions to issues, by not gettign side tracked, by> addressing issues, by being human, by not just telling us what is> wrong without also telling us what is right, understanding that> people want and need to feel valued, that they want to feel like they> are part of the solution, that teir voice can be heard.....by> harnessing the power of this new media to reach out to a group of> people who feel they have no voice and are being left behind...>> Heath> http://batmangeek7.blogspot.com>> --- In [email protected], "J. Rhett Aultman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:>>>> The fundamental question I have is how he'd handle another Rove-run>> campaign. Both he and Kerry basically let a Rove campaign smother> them>> in punches and mud last time, and knowledge of the world doesn't> protect>> you from Mr. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.>>>> -->> Rhett.>> http://www.weatherlight.com/freetime>>>> Robert Scoble wrote:>>>> >Might be, but it's clear he spent the past four years beefing up> his knowledge of the world too, visiting dozens of countries.>> >>> >Robert>> >>> >>> > ----- Original Message ----->> > From: J. Rhett Aultman>> > To: [email protected]>> > Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 6:43 AM>> > Subject: Re: [videoblogging] John Edwards to Run for President> (announcement on YouTube)>> >>> >>> > He won't tank Dean-style, but he ran four years ago, giving his> enemies>> > plenty of time and opportunity to find all his weak spots. An> Edwards>> > campaign is, in my mind, walking wounded already.>> >>> > -->> > Rhett.>> > http://www.weatherlight.com/freetime>> >>> > Joey Profit wrote:>> >>> > >John Edwards harnessing the internets. I wonder if he'll tank> like Howard Dean.>> > >>> > >--Joey>> > >>> > >On 27/12/06, andrew michael baron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:>> > >>> > >>> > >>Today Joanne, Chuck and I are out in New Orleans.>> > >>>> > >>We just filmed John Edwards' first announcement that he is> running>> > >>for president.>> > >>>> > >>I just uploaded the video to John Edwards' YouTube account.>> > >>>> > >><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?> v=1etlZaf6zUw">http://youtube.com/>> > >>watch?v=1etlZaf6zUw</a>>> > >>>> > >>(BTW, it may look like a photo op, but Edwards has been> working out>> > >>here all day and has been providing major support since last> year>> > >>when Katrina hit).>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >Yahoo! Groups Links>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >Yahoo! Groups Links>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>>>>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links>>>> _________________________________________________________________ Try amazing new 3D maps http://maps.live.com/?wip=51 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
