I'm first and foremost a Deaniac. But Dean is no longer actively competing for the nomination. On the other hand, i'm also a reformer at heart, and Dean is still leading a reform movement. I have the Power. How do i use it most effectively?
Unlike many Deaniacs, i see substantial differences between Edwards and Kerry. I don't love Edwards, but i do like him. My dislike for Kerry hovers somewhere between contempt and disgust. (for a reference point, compare Edwards' consistent position against a constitutional amendment on gay marriage versus Kerry's waffling non-position on the issue)
In the world of vague generalizations, Dean is a reformer, Edwards is a populist, and Kerry is an Establishment liberal. I see no contradiction between reformers and populists - it seems a natural alliance. However, reformers and the Establishment are natural enemies.
If Kerry gets the nomination, there will NOT be a seat at the table for the Deaniacs. Bringing delegates to the convention in hopes of influence is wishful thinking. Once again, it'll be Sit Down and Shut Up. Dean won't be VP, and he won't be the head of the DNC. A cabinet post would be a waste of his real talent - organizing Democrats. A Kerry nomination is a no-win situation for reformers - either he wins and we're locked out for eight years, or he loses and we get four more years of Bush.
On the other hand, if Deaniacs come out in droves for Edwards - with our money and our organization - we stand a good chance of getting real power with an Edwards nomination. An Edwards-Dean ticket really does sound marvelous. Or Dean could become DNC chair.
I'm not completely convinced that backing Edwards is the thing to do yet. But i'm getting there.