An evening with Howard Dean

[RevolutionStartsNow]

Okay, I'm pretty tired, but just got back from the Dean fundraiser in San Jose, with about 1200 other people. Brilliant speech -- a bit delayed, because he was preparing his response to Bush's speech, but brilliant.

One thing that struck me was how at ease he is with the crowd -- all the stiffness that he shows in interviews or debates just isn't there. At one point he had the crowd all fired up, very intense, and he stopped for a second and just laughed so naturally, as if it suddenly occurred to him, "I am having the best time..."

Needless to say, the highlight was actually meeting him and shaking his hand. We positioned ourselves in an area where it seemed he would be coming out, and chatted up the volunteers nearby. There was another mom there with her young girl, she seemed to be about 9 years old, all decked out in Dean gear, and they were taking care of both of us moms-with-cute-daughters, to make sure we got a chance to get a photo. When he came out, the best I could manage was "Thank you!" but I did get these great shots with my daughter Stephanie.




After his speech, he came back into the crowd and talked to people. He seems to love doing that.

Meeting Joe Trippi was cool, too. He was so nice to Stephanie, and offered to have his picture taken with her.



We just got home about an hour ago, but I'm not sure we will ever come down. Just amazing that my daughter got to meet this man who could and should be president.

[pruner]

1. what type of fundraiser was it?

any idea how much was raised?

[AP]

3. 200K they said on the news.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. It was at San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's house

Lots of local politicos there, endorsing Dean. There was a $1000 fundraiser inside, not sure how much they raised but I bet it was plenty.

Outside it was a "Garden Party", $100 per head, with food and drinks and a good time for all! Someone said there were 1200 people; it sold out quickly. So just with us outside people, they raised as much as $120,000 (not sure on the # of people, it was packed!)

[RevolutionStartsNow]

5. Article from SJ Mercury News about the event

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/6718560.htm

[FluxRostrum]

8. Dean on Drugs

F+
http://www.granitestaters.com/guide/dean.html

[MercutioATC]

12. hehehe...nice try

This has been discussed ad nauseum here. Nice attempt at a shot, though....

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. I chose to ignore that

...but I am glad he bumped my thread with the pictures of my daughter. :) I love the one with Joe Trippi.

[madfloridian]

2. Cute gal, great pics of Dean and Trippi.

I loved this quote:
"One thing that struck me was how at ease he is with the crowd -- all the stiffness that he shows in interviews or debates just isn't there. At one point he had the crowd all fired up, very intense, and he stopped for a second and just laughed so naturally, as if it suddenly occurred to him, "I am having the best time..."

He looks like it, too.

I am so jealous.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. Thanks for the report

and great pictures! What a beautiful daughter, and that fabulous red hair!

Unfortunately, we had a schedule conflict for this weekend so we couldn't go but I was anxious to read a first-hand account.

Thanks again!

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. Sorry you missed it, Taz...

It was truly great.

He does love to talk to people, get into the crowd. He wasn't just walking through and shaking hands, he was stopping and having conversations. It was cool. Joe Trippi was the same way.

[Ripley]

9. Lucky You and Daughter!

I wish I could meet him, but the closest he's coming to my home is Atlanta next week and it's $100/a head and a 3 hour drive (plus I lose an hour in time zone change) and I can't swing it.

Thanks for sharing! :bounce:

[UnapologeticLiberal]

10. When was he in San Jose?

He was in College Park, MD last night, and then on U-Street in DC for a fundraiser! I was at both...was the San Jose thing earlier in the day?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

11. Sunday night

Saturday he was in SF addressing the SEIU and Sunday he did this fundraiser at Zoe Lofgren's house.

There were well over 1000 people there and we were quite lucky to get close enough to chat with him and take photos.

My advice to anyone going to see him: take a kid with you. The staff loved us. :)