5 thoughts on “An Open Letter to all of the Democratic Candidates for President”

1. Hi Mark,

   I agree that it would be

   really bad if this trend you mention continues, but at present I don’t think your concerns are that grounded as far as our candidates

   are concerned. Supporters will be supporters. They get carried away some times.

   What concerns me is that our primary will be a sham

   directed by the media. The media is picking and choosing which candidates get free publicity and which ones most people never hear of. I

   don’t feel that it is Dean’s fault that he is the media Darling, but it makes the rest of us a little suspicious of him. I suppose it

   may breed a little envy too, but mostly we wonder why the press wants Dean so badly. I think most of the attacks on Dean are due to this

   obvious favoritism and the resentment it is causing.

   There are 9 candidates! There have been no primarys, and the responsibility of

   the Media is to inform the public of ALL NINE choices so that they can make an informed decision. Instead they are trying to decide our

   election for us and they have no right to do that.

   The Democrat party, ALL NINE candidates, their supporters, and especially all

   undecided Democrats Need to demand equal time for all candidates and that we get coverage of debates, speaches and other announcments

   that are appropriate. Fruther there need to be impartial spots paid for by the Democrat party in which the candidates and their basic

   platforms are shown. If we need a united front lets give it to them, even if the Democrat party has to pay for it. People have a right to

   choose based on facts and platforms, not media manipulation.

2. FC-

   Thanks for

   the thoughtful reply.

   “People have a right to choose based on facts and platforms, not media manipulation.”

   I agree. It’s too bad

   the debates haven’t really been debates. And, it is too bad that the media intrudes even there — think about Ted Koppel, et.al.

   I

   find the media itself less infuriating than the Radical Right that calls the media “too liberal” even as the media becomes more and more

   a corporate (& government) tool. God bless the Internet (for a few more years)!

   peace!
   mjh

3. Mark,

   I will start by saying that I support John Edwards. I am fully committed to helping him win the nomination AND Presidency in

   any way I can. I will also say that until the first part of October, I supported Howard Dean.

   Why did I switch my support? I

   cannot give you one concrete reason but for some reason it happened. I am VERY glad I did.

   Senator Edwards has stayed above the

   bickering that has overtaken this race. Only once have I seen him get even slightly upset with another candidate–He came down on Gov.

   Dean for his comments about the Confederate Flag. I feel that was an appropriate response to the comment Dean made.

   John Edwards is

   the ONLY candidate ‘selling himself as himself.’ He has not changed positions due to fear of media backlash or attacks from other

   candidates. He is firm in his beliefs.

   John Edwards is working to pull the whole country together through empowerment and hope, not

   “vicious sparring.” I encourage you to read the text of Senator Edwards’ speech “In Defense of Optimism.” It can be found at

   http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=436
   This speech outlines hope for our country and proves that John Edwards is committed and

   able to defeat President Bush.

   Thank you for your site and ideas! I agree that Bush MUST go in 2004.

4. Karey-

   Thanks for your comments and the recommended reading (I will read it).

   My ‘open letter’

   was directed at ALL of the candidates and was not meant as a personal attack on Edwards (and I know you and FC know this). I’m just

   explaining that, in one sense, I should have skipped Edwards’ site. On the other hand, I’m glad I’ve learned more about Edwards and

   his supporters.

   There is one thing that unites us: Bush must go!

   peace!
   mjh

5. Mike,

   What is up with the media anyway. I mean I can see what the religious right means, in that Television talk shows, and even

   situation comedy they not only push a very liberal set of morals but forcably shoves gay rights down people’s throats in a very

   irritating way that doesn’t represent the quiet majority of the Gay community. I feel compassionate towards gays, but the media is going

   too far and makes traditional people feel repressed and alienated. I don’t think they are helping gays at all, by forcing people to be

   parrots of politically correct ideals without giving them a chance to dialog, and weigh things out for themselves. Historicly speaking

   forcing a powerful unnatural swing in moral or social values, often has serious reprocussions. A sort of swing back effect. Fruther TV

   programing actually attacks Christ himself at times. This is not only offensive to the Christian right but universally to spiritual

   people, who regard Christ. Even the Hare’ Khrishna’s are offended by this kind of attack.

   At the same time on news and politically

   driven shows they show obvious favoritism to Republicans. Remember how they hounded Clinton about Monica, Whitewater and other Garbage,

   but they hesitate to call out Bush and instead conceal his secrets.

   Do you understand this both sides against the middle approach. I

   have been trying to understand what they are up to. Why support Gay rights, Atheism, and Republican Politicians? I really don’t

   understand their agenda. I just know they have one.

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