From Maine: A heartfelt thanks to Howard Dean

[ticapnews]

Last night was obviously a huge night nationally for Democrats, and that's been the big story all day (along with the uncertainty in MT and VA). However, there is another story that needs to be told. Democrats gained close to 300 seats in Legislatures all over the country. These are key not just because it helps keep poison pills (like abortion bans and gay marriage BS) off the ballot and allows Democrats to be in charge of public policy, but it helps groom the next generation of Democratic candidates for Congress and governorships.

Here in Maine we had ruled the State House by a single vote - a 74-73 plurality in a 151-seat House. Thanks to the 50-state strategy, the DNC pumped money into party organizations nationwide. That allowed the Democratic party to hire field organizers to run local campaigns and to find and equip hundreds of local offices. In 2004, we ran the GOTV effort from the living room of our town chairwoman. Yesterday, we had multiple phone banks staffed by dozens of volunteers and paid staff.

The result: The Democrats have picked up at least 18 seats and will have more than 60% of the seats in the new Legislature next January.

So, many thanks to Howard Dean. His leadership, vision and passion laid the groundwork for the success we enjoyed last night, and for the future. When Dean was elected to head the DNC I made my first donation to the organization. After seeing the effectiveness of the newly-energized DNC, it will not be my last.

[qnr]

1. I'd like to add my thanks too! n/t