Dean’s surge helps Vermont Democratic Party [View All]

[Rose Siding]

MONTPELIER — State Democrats are cashing in, both literally and figuratively, on Howard Dean’s national surge to help them rebuild the state party’s fortunes.

This week, in particular, is demonstrating how much the Dean phenomenon is helping invigorate the state party and draw new people into supporting it.

Dean himself is headlining an event today on Burlington’s Lake Champlain waterfront at which state Senate Democrats hope to raise at least $50,000.

At the same time, many town Democratic committees across the state will be holding their biennial reorganizations, a sometimes mundane process that also has been infused with enthusiasm from Dean supporters.

“The reality is that Howard’s presence in the race has energized Vermonters, and many of those folks are also saying, ‘Hey, what can I do to help the (state) Democratic Party,” said Democratic Chairman Scudder Parker.

http://timesargus.nybor.com/Regional_News/Story/71643.html