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Why I'm a Democrat

This was in the Featured Video slot in the sidebar yesterday. Normally I'm inclined to leave video - even really good video - there. But this sermon from Joe is just too good. Amen.


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August 1st, 2008 12:11pm
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thx

Submitted by Joe Felice on Fri, 2008-08-01 15:47.

Thanks very much Mike. The video is an entry in the DNC's YouTube contest. The party will pick 5 finalists, and then the public will vote. Winning video is played at the convention.

I made it with an eye to slipping netroots values and netroots candidates into the Denver program. If I make it to the finals, hopefully I can count on their support.

The video is great Joe

Submitted by Kevin Bondelli on Sat, 2008-08-02 19:05.

I shared it on Facebook and all of a sudden I see my friends sharing it too. That's a pretty good sign. I'm loving the videos.

Eh.

Submitted by mshappen on Mon, 2008-08-04 23:04.

I like the videos on the whole; Joe's delivery is compelling - but this one doesn't really sell me on becoming a Democrat.

The delivery is good, but at the end of the video, I feel like I am just hearing from a wishy-washy, near-30-something hipster about why he's a Democrat - and as far as I can tell, it's because Democrats AREN'T Republicans. That's not necessarily bad, as I have a lot of friends who are in the same boat. Hell - I'm in a similar boat right now. These stories, however, don't sell me on becoming a part of the party. They sell me on becoming part of the party right now to dig ourselves out of this mess.

How is that a different or more compelling story than any other former Green Party candidate whose lack of civic/government understanding then has led to less-of-two-evil party alignment now?

--
Alex Steed
w. www.alexsteed.com

What it sells

Submitted by Michael Connery on Tue, 2008-08-05 12:08.

I agree that Joes delivery is always great, which is what make so many of his videos compelling.

On the question of "does it sell me" on the Democratic Party, well yeah it kinda does. And I say this as a New Yorker who also voted Nader in 2000, and always votes for candidates on the Working Families line in NYC to support third parties.

I guess I feel like all that third party, outsider activism hasn't amounted to a hill of beans in all my years, first as a political junkie and then as an activist. There are encouraging signs within the party structure and in the kinds of candidates we are fielding.

I'm not always sold on the Democratic Party for what it does and I don't support anyone who labels themselves a Democrat, but at this point I believe in the Democratic Party as a vehicle for people like us to make changes happen. And that's a worthwhile enough reason to join.

Let me ask you this, what WOULD sell you on the Party?

I guess ...

Submitted by mshappen on Mon, 2008-08-04 23:17.

... what I mean is that these are the same reason I am VOTING Democrat - but they're not reasons that compel me to say that I AM a Democrat.

--
Alex Steed
w. www.alexsteed.com

I appreciate the feedback,

Submitted by Joe Felice on Tue, 2008-08-05 11:58.

I appreciate the feedback, Alex, but I actually feel that way about most of the other submissions to this contest, which asks, "Why are you a Democrat in 2008?"

Most of them say "after 8 years of war/economy/environment we need to put an end to Republican administrations", whereas I list the people and values that are rising in the party and embracing the role that we should play.

I think they've earned it more than previous incarnations of the party, and if the movement stabilizes I hope it earns your proud identification as well. Cheers.