Dean's army of storm chasers launch assault for presidency

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1125309,00.html

In the Des Moines headquarters of Mr Dean, his supporters have been gathering their forces - connecting over the internet and in "meet-ups", the monthly gatherings where supporters write letters and pass on strategy suggestions to paid campaign staff. This weekend, if all goes well, that energy will be channelled into what Dean organisers are calling the "Perfect Storm".

Other developments in Iowa could bring Mr Dean's political momentum to a stop. Two opinion polls this week put him in a dead heat in a four-way contest against the Missouri congressman and virtual native son, Dick Gephardt, and Senators John Kerry and John Edwards whose campaigns have experienced last-minute surges in support. After weeks in the doldrums, Mr Kerry is drawing huge crowds.

Mr Kerry, a war hero, has his own ground troops drawn from Vietnam vets, and Mr Gephardt has the industrial unions, who have pulled up in large black trucks and matching jackets.

But Mr Dean has the "storm chasers", some 2,500 volunteers who are expected to converge on Iowa at the weekend. Organisers say there has been nothing like it since the heady activist days of the 1960s and 1970s, and that the resulting force field of energy, hope and commitment is going to tip the balance in favour or Mr Dean in Monday's caucuses. None of Mr Dean's opponents can match the scale of his volunteer brigades in their orange knit hats, or the sense of commitment and urgency.

[shance]

1. Deleted message

n/t

[Bread and Roses]

2. Aside from all that,

the media knows about the subconcious. I immediately thought of 'storm trooper' ... not a good association and the media knows what they are doing.

[bitchkitty]

3. When I hear

the term "Perfect Storm". I thought of the movie.

Edited for politeness. Sorry.

[JI7]

4. the orange hats, not important but

i was just curious.i saw this on tv. i think they are giving volunteers orange hats and armbands. i know it's to identify them as part of the dean campaign. but is there any reason why they are orange ? or how that came about ?

[bitchkitty]

5. Oh, I'm sure it's something sinister. n/t

[shance]

6. Oh without a doubt!!

:)