Hartford Courant Caucus: FAMILY AFFAIR (Howard Dean)

[Larkspur]

http://www.ctnow.com/news/politics/hc-caucus0926.artsep26,1,6385918.story?coll=hc-headlines-politics

Howard Dean's family was absolutely flabbergasted when the former governor of Vermont first told them back in 2000 that he was thinking about running for president of the United States. The five-term governor had little name recognition nationally, coming from one of the nation's tiniest states and risking the chance that Republicans would portray him as just another Northeastern liberal governor.

"My mom and I kind of scratched our heads a bit and said, 'What is he thinking about doing that for?'" said Jim Dean, Howard's younger brother.

Fast-forward to 2003.

Dean's candidacy has exploded to the point that he is featured on the cover of national news magazines, and his once-skeptical brother has joined the campaign full-time as a fund-raiser and cheerleader.

"I figured this would be the only chance I would ever have to do something like this in my life," Dean said. "It's been a wild ride."
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And to the chagrin of the Lieberman campaign, from the 2nd note from the Caucus section:

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And from Connecticut, this intriguing endorsement: The Connecticut Citizen Action Group is backing Dean over favorite son Joe Lieberman. CCAG has long been known as one of the state's most liberal organizations, but the group has avoided any political endorsements in Democratic presidential primaries in Connecticut since choosing Jerry Brown, the former California governor who defeated Bill Clinton here in 1992.

"Howard Dean is head and shoulders above Joe Lieberman," said Tom Swan, CCAG's executive director. "I think Joe is an apologist for the Bush administration on the war. Time and time again, Joe has let many of us down."

I know Tom Swan. Connecticut NOW bestowed our 2003 Harriet Tubman Award for Achievement in the Tireless Pursuit of Social Justice on him. Tom is a wonderful person.

[CMT]

1. Great article

thanks for the information. As for Lieberman, I think by the time the Connecticut primary rolls around he will have withdrawn from the race and Dean will win the state in the primary.

[Larkspur]

2. I hope so. I want to be a delegate for Dean to the 2004 Dem Convention

My district is the largest in Connecticut and is most likely to side with Dean, but Lieberman does have strong ties to the Norwich and New London area.

[CMT]

3. how do you become a delegate?

I may be interested in trying here in Wisconsin.

[Larkspur]

4. You need to contact your state's Dem Party

Each state Dem Party has it's own set of rules. Does Wisconsin Dem Party have its own web site? Connecticut's Dem Party posted their rules on their web site.

So you're a Wisconsin Dem. My mom said that my dad was once the Dem Party Chair for Wausau, WI. My 2 brothers were born in Wausau, WI. I was born in Chicago, IL. Small world, isn't it.

Good luck about becoming a delegate. If we both become delegates, we should contact each other and meet in Boston.