Salon: The vindication of Howard Dean's 'crazy' strategy

[kpete]

Howard Dean, vindicated
The DNC chairman's "crazy" strategy of rebuilding the Democratic Party across all states helped it ride the national wave against the GOP.

By Joe Conason

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean laughs during a news conference Wednesday in Washington.

Nov. 10, 2006 | Only weeks after the Democratic National Committee chose Howard Dean as its chairman last year, the nasty whispers began to circulate around Washington and among longtime party donors and activists in cities from New York to Los Angeles. "He's going to be a disaster," they muttered. "He can't raise any money. He doesn't know what he's doing. And what does he mean by this crazy 50-state strategy?"

Those early days must have been painful for the former Vermont governor -- still smarting back then from his presidential primary defeat and that endlessly looped "scream" video -- and he endured a barrage of snarks and snipes from the Democratic congressional leadership as well. Unfortunately for Dean, he doesn't play the Washington press corps nearly as well as do rivals like Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who ran the House Democrats' campaign committee, or Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who performed the same role in the Senate.

But this week, he is enjoying vindication far earlier than he ever expected.

Despite all the complaints and demands directed at him over the past 18 months, Dean stuck to his principles. He and his supporters in the netroots movement believed that their party needed to rebuild from the ground up in every state, including many where the party existed in name only. These Democrats prefer to think of their party as one of inclusion and unity. They openly disdain the divisive strategies of the Republicans who have so often used racial, regional and cultural differences to polarize voters.

more at:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2006/11/10/dean_dems/

[williesgirl]

1. Thanks, Gov Dean - recommended

[Katherine Brengle]

2. Thank you Howard Dean you crazy bastard! Keep on rockin' that strategery! ;)

[madmax]

4. I'm now a confirmed Deaniac

LOL Katherine!!

[exlrrp]

49. ME TOO!!

DEAN FOR PRESIDENT -- '08!!!
The man with the plan to win!!

[KittyWampus]

55. Me Too, though I always loved his smile.

[connecticut yankee]

65. I always have been

Hey -- he who laughs last!

[Mr_Spock]

3. I'm honoring Dean's strategy with my avatar!

He deserves it!

[madmax]

6. Me too. n/t

[RevolutionStartsNow]

29. Great idea! Me, too!

I pulled out an old Dean tshirt, too, which I will happily wear this weekend.

[Mr_Spock]

30. I still have his campaign pin in my sun visor

I got it when I went to see him campaigning for President back in '04.

:D

[RevolutionStartsNow]

40. I have a ton of Dean stuff

Probably about 10 shirts, plus a whole boxful of memorabilia...I went to Iowa for the Perfect Storm before the caucus, and over the time I worked on his campaign I collected a lot of great stuff. It was sad to box it all up, but this week I feel vindicated -- I was bitter about what happened to him, but everything happens for a reason, and I truly believe he was a key factor in this win, with his 50-state strategy and his fundraising efforts and his unwillingness to back down against Bush.

LOL -- I just remembered that I still have a "Flat Howard" -- it was a life-size cardboard cutout we made, for a local caucus we did here before the primaries (so people could have their picture taken with Howard!). I ended up with it, and it stayed around the house for a long time, moving from the hallway to my daughter's room to my son's room. It's a little beat up now, but I think I saw him in the garage the other day. :)

[Mortos]

5. I second that

I was fortunate enough to be part of a conference call when Dr. Dean was running for President. I supported him then and I am glad I did. He was my first choice for President and I still think he would make a good one. Thank you Dr. Dean. Thanks for your intensity and your commitment and thanks most of all for helping to release this country from the grip of the neo-con republicans.

[ClintonTyree]

47. "Intensity".....

a great word in describing Dr. Dean. Remember back to the dark days of Terry McAuliff, the smooth operator who thought schmoozing and press releases were the way to win elections.
Then Howard Dean took the helm. That was the single most important decision in bringing our party back from the brink of complete annihilation. Intensity. Howard has it and he was able to pass it on to all those who came in contact with him. Everyone who came into contact with him caught that "intensity".
Howard Dean saved our bacon. I firmly believe that without him the Democratic party would have been relegated to the dust-bin of history. He would have made a great President. I supported him with every penny I could muster at the time. I believed in him then, I believe in him now and I believe in him for the future of our party.
Howard Dean is the guy I'd most like to, "sit down and have a beer with", not some spoiled frat-boy who is so used to getting his own way and having people bailing him out all of the time that he's lost touch with reality.
Howard Dean. Past, Present and Future. He's THE MAN! :woohoo: :yourock: :woohoo:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

56. you mean Rahm, the self-described genius?

you betcha.

[Upfront]

71. Agree

I agree with all you said and have been with Howard from the start. He was the first one, that I heard, to call the war wrong even before we started it. I still stand with Dean and he can speak for me anytime!

[populistdriven]

7. Bush is Sad

Because Howard Dean stole his Halo!



rate it up!
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/pl/110206howarddean/im:/061108/photos_ts/2006_11_08t140942_342x450_us_usa_elections

[Maven]

9. HA!

What a great find. :thumbsup:

[krkaufman]

37. ha!! way too funny. Now *that* will pi** little Shrubbie off. n/t

[freefall]

48. I rated the photo on Yahoo as you requested, bushmeat.

And thank you Howard Dean!!!

:yourock:

Peace,

freefall

[immoderate]

8. I'm glad Conason wrote that. Thanks kpete for posting.

--IMM

[ReadTomPaine]

10. Good piece by Joe Conason!

We need more in the Democratic leadership like Dean, no question.

[NNN0LHI]

11. Look who's laughing now n/t

[Coexist]

12. We love you! And you KILLED on The Daily Show.

"grin of a shit-eating variety."

I am so happy for you.

[Infomaniac]

13. Thank you Governor Dean and Happy Birthday!

Some early birthday wishes for the man who deserves credit for making this election a happy one for all of us. Next Friday, November 17th, on your 58th birthday, I'll be sure to lift my glass to you.

[On the Road]

14. Howard Has Changed the Course of US History

and possibly the world. The direction of the party under McAuliffe was a loser for another generation. The Republicans were pushing every envelope they could and no one was stopping it. It took a widespread revolution with a broad base of support. I just wish he hadn't ruled out a run in 08.

[Emit]

15. Our efforts where I live were a product of Dean's

plan to rebuild from the ground up -- here in Nevada, the infrastructure of the Dem party in the North was pretty slim and disorganized in years past. In 2004, they were in over their heads. This year, we were much better prepared, having started with paid staff much earlier in the election cycle to prepare for '06. The paid staff were influential in attempting to build a huge grassroots structure of volunteers who worked for well over a year before the '06 election. And, while we did not succeed with electing any of our National candidates to the House or Senate, we gave the GOP here a run for their money, and we won many state positions, including SOS, my Districts State Assembly (and others), Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Controller.

Our voter data-base was improved upon which proved invaluable for our efforts over the last year or more. I can't say enough how important that decision was.

I stand by what he did -- I lived it first hand and it is the only way that we can remain competitive for '08 and beyond.

[aquart]

19. Those state positions are going to be vital in two years.

Congratulations!

[krkaufman]

38. Thanks for your post. Great information. n/t

[sybylla]

52. Same here

It's because of Howard Dean's field organizers that over 90% of our state house races had a Dem running. This year we took control of one house and gave our Dem governor a solid, veto-proof majority. If we lose the field organizers, I shudder to think where we'll be.

In contrast, two years ago, over a third of state house races were unopposed.

Thank you, Howard Dean!

[walk softly]

82. Make no mistake,

we need to grow the talent in our state and counties. There is no way we'll all have trained staff with us until 2008. That thought shouldn't be frightening - volunteers across the country worked hand in hand with staff in this election and in that process became experts. It will be up to the State parties, District Central Committees, County Committees, and Precinct teams to continue the job that just started this election. We need to focus on our grassroots, identify candidates, maintain support for the volunteers with training in the tools we use such as the VAN, get precinct teams together for social activities and sponsor Young Democrats whenever possible. In Dubuque County where almost a thousand 18 year olds registered to vote as No Party in 2006, the Dubuque County Democrats initiated a scholarship award at all seven of the county high schools. In addition, we're offering individual scholarships to things like Wellstone Camps which cover everything from candidate to GOTV and recruiting classes. There are similar trainings offered by State Parties and other groups. I'm looking forward to 2008 - every year, every election we need to learn and grow and hopefully support will be available in some form, but WE are the Democratic Party and we're just getting started.

[Wetzelbill]

16. I don't care what anybody says

Howard Dean is something special. Those same media clowns who were anointing him the Dem nominee for six months before Iowa have been bashing him ever since he lost. They acted like it was the death of the Democratic party when that man became the DNC chair. Howard Dean thinks big and dreams big. He only got on the national stage because he had the stones to just go out and go for it. I heard him speak twice in person. I was not a Dean voter, but I will tell you this, that man makes you want to go out and change the whole world. I knew he'd be a great chairman. He went out and tried to do what all the status quo people thought was stupid.

Well, look where we are now. Howard Dean deserves a substantial amount of credit for it.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

41. "Makes you want to go out and change the whole world"

Thanks, wetzelbill, that sums it right up for me!

I felt the same way when I found Dean. He brought me back to political activism after years of apathy, and suddenly I was going to Meetups every week, writing tons of letters, traveling to Iowa, knocking on doors in a huge snowstorm, and later working for Kerry and traveling to Ohio in 2004. And I know my story is only 1 of thousands of similar ones. And each one of us who was inspired by Dean inspired someone else, and the effect rippled through the country...Just like he said it would.

When the DNC called me right after the 2004 election and asked for money, I said, "Not unless you make Dean the chair." I sent money as soon as he got the job.

When I watched him on Jon Stewart yesterday, all of my respect for him came pouring back...

[Cha]

85. Wasn't that the best clip

on Jon Stewart's? Jon apologizing to Dean for dissing his "door knocker" strategy and then Jon invited him to scream and saying he wouldn't replay it over and over again. And Dean comes up with, "BOOYA!!"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2952832

[RevolutionStartsNow]

93. It was hilarious!

I love Dean's smile, not the forced one he's sometimes used, but that real genuine huge smile he gets -- I've seen it in person, and it's infectious. I'm so proud of him...

[Land Shark]

17. Proud to have been a delegate for dean in state conventions 2004!

[WatchWhatISay]

58. And I'm proud to have been a Dean Texas Ranger back in the summer of 2003

Before the media took him out.

But they couldn't pull it off this time!

[madfloridian]

18. Howard Dean wants money for his birthday...for the DNC

He will be 58. Most people who were subjected to the humiliation he suffered in 04 would have just left the arena. But he didn't. I remember the lectures he gave us at the DFA site and through emails. Never give up and support your party. Now we are organizing all over the country for DFA and working with the DNC local groups.

My husband and I would have left the party over the Iraq war vote. No one was standing up for the truth.

We will give a little extra to the DNC to say Happy Birthday.

[Cha]

86. One year I sent him a birthday

card in the mail..I was so happy with the way he was working for us out there across America!

Edit~ And on Stewart's the other night Dean thanked us!

[2Design]

20. donated $20.06 for Dean to help him continue his winning

50 state strategy - voted for him in the primary - glad to see him glow - he deserves every bit of it

[Rockstone]

21. Has Dean earned the Presidency?

He is very centrist. He now has familiarity. I like what he says and he says it well. He has balls and he knows how to use them.

[oasis]

22. Credit where credit is due.

:toast: to Howard Dean for a fabulous job on laying the groundwork for our victory.

[hasssan1]

23. Thank you Howard Dean , YOU ARE A GREAT AMERICAN

Howard Dean is a great American. God bless you and Thank you for all your hard work.

[wisteria]

24. As a monthly donor of the DNC, I am thrilled at Dean's efforts but

at the same time I am outraged that the DLC wing & the blue dogs are taking all the credit for our wins. No mention of Gov. Dean, no mention of Senator kerry's efforts - nothing-zip-zero. They happily take our money and make empty promises then ignore us.

[zyguh]

25. Does anyone still have that "Dean scream" sounbyte because

I want to get the news footage of the election and add that clip. It would be freaking awesome.....

"The Democrats take control of the House of Representatives......EEEYAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"Your now looking at the first woman to be Speaker of the House......EEEEEYAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"

"Allen has just conceded. The Democrats have now captured the Senate as well....EEEEEYAAAAAAAAHHHHHH"

"Harry Reid, who will be Senate Majority Leader is at the podium.......EEEEYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH"

Lol.......Im so serious.....I think that would absolutely rock. Take that clip that they used to try and make fun of Dean, and turn it into a gigantic victory yell........that would be so cool!

[American Jesus]

28. You should ask the Freepers.

I'm sure they have every "remix" and distortion of the "Scream" ever recorded.

I'd run the file through a virus scanner first though :)

[mcking]

74. I never thought that scream was so bad

Even though I wasn't a Dean supporter at the time (my state has a late primary and I hadn't made up my mind yet). Then later I discovered that the "loudness" of the scream was because of electronic enhancement -- in the context of the yelling crowd, it wasn't particularly loud at all. And Dean himself is by no means a "crazy." If you've ever watched an interview with him, you'll notice he's rather reserved.

Think about it: you could loop a snippet of almost anybody's speech and make it seem ridiculous.

[IndyOp]

87. Video of Dean is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x4249

I am amazed as I watch it that, once again, I see NOTHING at inappropriate in what he said or did -- nothing.

I like the idea for your video... :hi:

[onehandle]

26. Dean wins. Rove loses. Mehlman resigns.

What do you know. Politics is fun.

[xxqqqzme]

27. The first time I heard him speak

(on CSPAN at some event), I thought I hope this guy runs for president cuz he has my vote. I started keeping track of him. I was thrilled when he announced. I became a dedicated Deaniac Meet-Up person, contributed to his campaign, even went to New Mexico to walk precincts for their primary. Went to the 'town hall' type meeting in LA, along w/ 10 other Deaniacs from OC, to beg the DNC e-board to nominate him for DNC chair.

Howard has never let me down. He keeps his eyes on the prize, explains his plan and invites you to help him. I am happy to help Howard Dean.

[Lugnut]

31. Thank you Dr Dean

I was a Deaniac from the beginning. I still am. He spoke the truth and talked about the things that were important to me. His 50 state strategy was a no-brainer and turned out to be extremely effective. :thumbsup:

[Raiden]

32. Howard Dean is my hero

He really hit a grand slam this election!!! :patriot:

[codjh9]

33. I emailed the DNC and praised the good Dr. to high heaven yesterday n/t

[The Watchman]

34. Dean struck the first blow against bush

Rove was terrified of the idea of Howard Dean as the democratic nominee, thats why he had to be torn down. It's amazing though, while this piece in salon.com gives Howard credit, none of the major media outlets are doing the same. its all Rahm Imanuel and chuck Shumer , while they both did well in their posts , Dean said fight for it all. But the media refuses to recognize or mention his victory and vendication.

Congrats Howard on a incredible victory over those who'd strip us of our freedoms and burden us forever in perpetual war.

Be vigilant.

[last1standing]

36. The M$M may "forget", but we never will.

I knew from the moment I first heard him that this was the guy to lead the Dems out of the wilderness.

Thank you Howard Dean!

[Hugin]

44. Yes, the M$M is still out there and as Right Wing as ever... (If not more so)

Still spewing talking points....

Now it's "Our beloved leader Chimpy has stooped to maybe working with the few Democrats
who won elections in their razor thin majority...."

Which tells me Dr. Dean's strategy and all of our work has been much more amazing... Because
we did it WITHOUT the M$M.

The Right Wing Propaganda catapult is still out there and the more they continue to lie... The more irrevelant they become.

[MoJoWorkin]

45. Yes, the M$M is giving credit to Rahm and Schumer

But where would they have been when those unexpected races opened up? They wanted to target, as usual. Having more money and people on the ground in ALL 50 states was/is the RIGHT idea, and Dr. Dean is a genius!

[Hugin]

46. I've been meaning to bring this up...

We all know the M$M won't.

This election has shown... It isn't always the one who spends the most
money and slings the most mud who wins. A long cherished Rovian strategy.

Of course, since the bulk media has a tremendous conflict of interest in
supporting this now disproved theory... We'll never hear it from them.

Looks like whoever is nearer the grass roots stands a better chance of
winning.

[walk softly]

84. PLEASE EXPLAIN

M $ M?

[crickets]

89. M$M: Mainstream Media

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[krkaufman]

39. Maybe DU needs to put together a "50-State Strategy" testimonials page...

... where we can collect comments from those on the front lines who benefitted from the change in approach. (Although much of the effects are yet to be directly measurable, by election victories.)

[upi402]

35. bap! bap! bap!

PINNED
:bounce:

[WaterDog]

42. Once a Deaniac

Always a Deaniac. Thank you Dr. Dean! :bounce:

I need to start going to DFA meetings again. Shame on me for stopping.

[Ino]

43. The first time I saw Dean

was on the Daily Show some time ago. I don't remember what he said, but it was true & bold -- not the usual polite dancing around words. My head snapped up and I thought WHO IS THIS?! Someone saying what needed to be said! I've loved him ever since.

[Aviation Pro]

50. Dean, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!

Who's the genius now Krapola Karl? Better go back to school and get your undergraduate degree, loser.

[The Wizard]

51. The good doctor

deserves much of the credit for providing a remedy for the poison that Ku Klux Karl has injected into the political blood stream. As we begin to recover from the bad dream imposed on us by the snakes and charlatans in the Republican party and Bush junta, we always must remember that leopards don't change their spots. The predators who tried to wreck democracy through Machiavellian strategy and Goebbels tactics will go down in history as the slime they have exposed themselves to be.
Maybe Rove will follow in his father's footsteps and take the Goering exit strategy.

[jackster]

53. Dr Drean indeed saved our butts...

I remember arguing with my repub son who thought that by choosing Dean we had chosen our executioner. He laughed over and over. He's not laughing now.

Thank you Dr. Dean. You probably had more to do with single handedly saving our democracy than anyone else.

[rhett o rick]

54. Thank you Howard, you are a true patriot. nm

[WatchWhatISay]

57. Thanks for sayin' so Joe

Most of the media is trying to keep this a real small story.

Thanks for bringing it to the fore.

[NYCGirl]

59. Have I said lately that I LOVE that man?

Thank you, Dr. Dean.

[bpj1962]

60. Money

Howard Dean did something fundamentally different then his predecessors. He forced the RNC to spend money throughout the country on candidates that for many years were considered safe. As a result people like George Allen ran out of money at the end of the campaign and they could not run new attack ads. He truly understands that elections begin at the lowest level of state government and he has rebuilt the national party along those lines. From now on every election will be contested. The other thing he has done is speak honestly and truthfully when he has made television appearances. He brings only the facts to the table and he does not let the opposition get away with making misleading or false allegations. Deans problem in 2004 was that he trying to sell a message to the american people and we were not ready to accept it at that time. We were still in the shadow of 9-11 and the war in Iraq was only a year old. I give him full credit for having the guts to stand by his beliefs and it must be truly satisfying to be proven correct. Now he must step up the intensity for 2008 and he must find a candidate that can lead us into future and who can repair the damage caused to our international reputation by this band of criminals.

[DinahMoeHum]

61. Here's one proud "Democracy Bond" holder and Meetup veteran

who joined the program after hearing of the 50-State-Strategy.

YEEEEEEAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH !!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[PassingFair]

62. WHAT I WANNA KNOW....

...is how we can EVER thank Howard Dean for all that
he has done.

He has become an inspiration to me, not just politically,
but in my everyday life. Just telling the truth, not being
ashamed to tell the truth. The people who are PAYING ATTENTION
will LISTEN to what you say and become motivated to effect
change.

LOOK at what he accomplished.


Motto on the wall at Dean's headquarters:
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -Gandhi


November 17 is Dean Day in my house!

[janx]

77. And that's EXACTLY what happened to us!

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -Gandhi

[klook]

63. Brilliant strategy, thorough execution

I am very impressed with the 50-state strategy and the way the DNC under Dean's leadership implemented it. Howard is a great guy to have on our side!

[malaise]

64. A very good article

Kudos to Howie!

[The Watchman]

66. Dean proformed a double bypass of the house + Senate

I made this two years ago from a banner for a bad CNN piece. it says more or less what I am.




Be Vigilant

[zippy890]

67. kick for Howard

:loveya:

[dogday]

68. Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

He worked his ass off to make this happen....

[Zambero]

69. The Mean Dean Machine!

Renew the guy's contract. He done good!

[vcotts]

70. Dean's overlooked 'ROUT'

Having worked local campaigns in two states, I fully supported and cheered Dean's 50 State Strategy. And this is where it really paid off, according to the NYT, In Statehouses, Too, Democrats Post Sizable Gains.:

Democratic gains in Congress and governorships were matched on Tuesday by a surge involving state legislatures, where more than 275 seats and nine chambers switched from Republican to Democratic hands.

The victories, combined with the six new Democratic governors, have given the Democrats one-party government in 15 states, including New Hampshire for the first time since 1874, and Colorado for the first time since 1960.

No party has totally controlled as many as 15 states since the Republicans achieved that level after the 1994 election.

I have also sent messages to the Dem leadership and Dr Dean. I almost have to wonder if we want him to be accepted by the beltway group. His 'outsider' status may help with the grassroots more than having the DC crowd backing him.:crazy:

[Major Hogwash]

72. They never saw it coming.

What?

Democrats campaigning in the South?

Y'all gotta be kidding me?!?


Naw. We wasn't kidding.

[StarTurtle]

73. I was a Dean supporter when he ran for President

and I've thought the world of him ever since. He reminds me of Paul Wellstone in his passion, his integrity, and his willingness to look at issues in their depth and complexity. This victory is his, and we need to do whatever we can to remind the DLC of that, loudly and often.

Remember the Little Red Hen? Dr. Dean did all the work of making the bread, and now the DLC wants not just to help him eat it but to shove him away from the table.

[stepnw1f]

75. This is Why the DLC Attacks Dean

They know the shift in the Dem party is Populist rather than controlled by the "elite".

[Rainscents]

76. I love you Dr. Dean!!! You did it!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[myrna minx]

78. Thank you Dr. Dean. You saved our party.

You help save the USA from Bushco. :toast:

[janx]

79. "You Have the Power..."

He knew that we had the power to do it, and we did it.

[RoccoR5955]

80. Personally, I think it's ALLWAYS a great strategy...

to fight this kind of battle LOCALLY. In order to get out the vote, you have to knock on doors, and educate people. Take them to the polls, no matter WHO they are voting for. Whenever we do this, we win. When we fight amongst ourselves, and sit back and do nothing, we lose!

[grmamo]

81. Thank You Howard Dean, you are the best thing to happen to us n/t

[rucky]

83. What a fantastic photo.

I can't imagine a better DNC chair.

:yourock: , Howard

[BREMPRO]

88. Dean totally rocks!

Every time I heard him speak recently, he succinctly and vigorously articulated democratic/progressive values and ideas, crafting a vision that inspired confidence in the Democratic party, and outclassed and outfoxed the RW and MSM talking heads. He also did not hold back in attacking the corrupt party in power, clearly stated what was wrong and how the dems were going to fix things. I think people don't give him enough credit for helping lead this party to an overwhelming victory. Rahm Emanual and Chuck Schumer deserve equal credit for creating and managing this winning strategy.

[EFerrari]

90. Howard Dean is maybe the only pol I like more and more

as time rolls on.

Thanks, Howard.

:yourock:

[WyLoochka]

91. The DC Dems had

better start listening to Dr Dean a whole lot more. He is extremely smart and a great "vision," as well as "solution," type thinker and doer. He is honest, he is dedicated, he is energetic and he is relentless.

And - he has been right on just about everything for years meanhile many of them have been wrong on just about everything for years.

[Nikki Stone1]

92. Kudos to Dr. Dean!

:kick:

[Polemonium]

94. Democracy by the people works. Thanks Dean.

:applause:

[Comadreja]

95. They aren't mocking this pic anymore

But why has he been reoved as chairman?

[onecent]

96. Dr Dean is a hotty!!! n/t

[Kurovski]

97. K&R

:kick:

[GenDem]

98. Thank you Dr Dean

It makes sense to start with our neighbors in our own precincts. I am proud to have participated in the neighbor to neighbor door knocking canvas back in April, never dreaming back then that we would be celebrating such a sweeping victory today. I have saved one of those door hangers to remember the genius strategy of a great leader, Howard Dean!