Putting some Dispassionate science into politics, think about this.  Last election, Al Gore received more votes than any man in history for President of the United States -- 50,999,897.  At last count, John Kerry has him beat by over 4.5 million with 55,546,066 and by the time all the votes are counted (and they will be) it could be a 5 million vote slaughter.  Bill Clinton couldn't touch these numbers, or unfortunately Bush's 60 million.

Fantastic!  Everyone, every last one of us can stand tall.  And when the snarky wingers mock and gloat, spit in their eye and let them know that we are never going away, never going to stop shouting from the rooftops when we see injustice, corruption and inequity.  Kos and Chris Bowers as MyDD are ready to hang Terry McAulliffe from a lamppost and think Howard Dean is a "no brainier" for DNC chair. 

Think again guys.  McAulliffe delivered more than anyone's dreams and Howard Dean couldn't deliver a decent second in a single primary.  We got beat by the worst president in history who only knows how to play politics, not lead a great nation -- and everyone knows it who hasn't drunk the Kool Aide. 

The GOP aren't better leaders with better ideas.  They've been feeding on fear and ignorance for a generation.  It worked again, in spades.  But we can't become what we aren't or advocate what we know is merely an appeal to the lowest common denominator; the worst in us, not the best. 

Taegan Goddard gives us this Thought of the Day

"When you trade your values for the hope of winning, you end up losing and having no values -- so you keep losing."  -- Howard Dean

It's called integrity.  I've yet to see any from our current President and it is in short supply throughout the GOP.  It's the fight itself, election results certainly count but the actual progress in making this lump of rock better for even those than don't know any better is the real goal, and that struggle goes on no matter who is in power.  Indeed, we have to work that much harder now.  But most of all, we must remember the Bard's advice: "To thine own self be true."

There's a lot of talk about who we will put up next.  Kerry called John Edwards and "extraordinary leader" and for his part, Senator Edwards promised not to give up the fight for all we care about. Outstanding.  Much talk has centered around Hillary Clinton next time around which is interesting, but mere speculation.  We have a shooting star in Senator (sounds nice doesn't it) Barack Obama, and he has the promise of being a light far into our future.

Keeping Bob Schrum away from our candidate has a certain appeal though.

But lest we forget.  John Kerry, an authentic hero, a great American, an icon for forward thinking men and women throughout the world, is the guy that got more votes than any human being save one.  He's my guy, and I will follow his lead until he tells me to follow someone else.

Unless of course I change my mind -- Hey look, they got ice cream! Maybe I'll try that bland vanilla flavor everybody seems to like. Nyaa.)