Dean’s surge helps Vermont Democratic Party

[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

[Cha]

1. Good for Vermont Democrats and Good for Democrats everywhere!

So Glad you are in!

[clar]

2. Great

I'd love to see Progressive Burlington Mayor jump into the Governor's race as a dem, something he's considering doing. I'd like to see the dems increase their majority in the State Senate and take back the house. This is good news for Vermont dems.

[MercutioATC]

3. But, according to Dean detractors here, Vermont Dems hate Dean....

hmmmm....seems it's not as deep a rift as we were led to believe...

[displacedvermoter]

4. Yes, they hate him, and that is why all my old hippie friends and relative

are wearing Dean buttons and have Dean bumper stickers on their cars,
and Dean signs are sprouting up in lots of places. We were in Vermont last weekend, and, frankly, I was pretty impressed. And, not only that, but a number of folks I know who are moderate Vt. Repubs (like my brother-in-law) are supporting him as well.

But it is only crazy old Vermont, so what can you expect, eh?

[Sean Reynolds]

7. They hate him so much they elected him FIVE times!

Now that's hate!

[Nicholas_J]

5. There is no evidence

Again, that DEAN himself is responsible for the fact that more DEmos are becoming engaged with politics.

Another case of Dean supporters attributing efents to him trhat are largely unrelated to him.

[displacedvermoter]

6. There's no Evidence Whatsoever that Kerry Is Inspiring the Folks in

a state very close to him, and the folks in Vermont SEEM to be inspired by him, or at least excited by one of their own -- and they do see him that way regardless of what some folks seem to keep saying.

As I've said before, Kerry is my second choice, but regardless of that, there is enthusiasm in my home state, and that is what the article is about, and, so, don't be a poop! Why not enjoy that there is a buzz about this candidate, that this buzz could be contagious, and that there is nothing wrong with such excitement. It might just lead to the defeat of a Repug governor in Vermont, and that is what we are all about, isn't it, defeating Repugs?