Funny, funny stuff from today's SLATE and William Saletan -- "Kerry Ousts Voters in Iowa, New Hampshire."

I'll admit it -- I'm a Democratic Party man. Worked for the Clinton Administration proudly for the whole eight years. I gave Kerry a look early in this process as the man who could beat Bush. He had the CV, the service, the potential for ideas and (I thought), the political skills. I've got friends working for him even now (if they don't get fired or quit soon). The quasi-drama of the last couple of months, and especially this past week, has solidly convinced me that he is indeed not The Guy. I'd look at Edwards and maybe even Gephardt over Kerry if it came down to it. But I think that's a moot point in light of the Dean endorsements from the SEIU/AFSCME today, which have hammered one more final nail in the Gephardt campaign's coffin. In fact, I suspect when Dean gets the nomination here in a few months, you'll be able to look back at this period in time and identify it as a dramatic turning point towards that end.

I am digressing. Check out the funny 'news clipping' from SLATE, J. I really think you'll get a bang out of it.

Here's the link. More ouchies for Kerry.

Today I realized that I am deeply pessimistic. Even though all the papers said that Dean was going to get AFSCME, it wasn't until McEntee (sp?) actually said the words on my little streaming media player that I believed. I half expected today to be the major 'screw you' toying with Dean from the media or something. Even though, logically, I knew that if Trippi weren't sure, he'd have been releasing stuff right and left indicating that nothing was certain, still I worried.

So, I won't believe Dean's going to get the nomination until he's got the nomination. I am still deeply paranoid that all the Nervous Nellies in the party (with mouthpieces like Kevin Drum and Josh Marshall) will cut his legs out from underneath him somehow.

In the meantime, I've started putting Dean stickers in with my bills when I pay them. Every little bit of outreach helps, I figure.

Well, J, I read your posting, there, a couple of times and I don't mind telling, you: I'm so woefully disheartened. My spirit is heavy with the turmoil of my political party. Maybe I'm just tired.

You've got to remember, J, that this isn't about a fight within the Democratic Party. Oh, we can jab and punch at each other.
"Kerry's weak..."
"Kucinich is crazy..."
"Dean's a jerk..."
"Gephardt is establishment..."
But in the end, we're all Democrats and someone is going to have to wake up and realize that outside is a beast that has grown into something nearly incomprehesible.

Yes, Dean supporters, I cheer for you. I really do. You're running from the outside, and you're winning and it must feel so good. I vaguely remember what it was like to feel that way. But the real winning comes in a confidence you must show and show early. Save the paranoia for those who deserve it. Impeachment Republicans in 1998. Bush and his party in 2000. Darryl Issa and his party in California just a few months ago. Katherine Harris and her party in Florida in 2002. It's very simple -- these folks don't like an election result, they'll overturn it. Or they'll take it to court. Or they will hammer on your character until you are done.

Harness your pessimism (and, anger?) for them, J. They'll deserve it. Until then, I'll take sad comfort in the self-destruction of the other candidates, and the continued rise of Dr. Dean. And I look forward to voting for him when the primary comes our way.