Dean in Topeka, draws good crowd of 800 in conservative area.

[madfloridian]

A crowd of 800 and apparent enthusiasm, not bad in Topeka, I hear.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/10985567.htm
TOPEKA, Kan. - "True to his word that he would take his party's message to conservative bastions, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean rallied a crowd Thursday in Kansas, a state that has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1964.

"Democracy will fail if it's not nurtured. I'm asking you to run for the school board, I'm asking you to run for the city council, I'm asking you to run for library trustee," Dean told a Washburn University audience of about 800. "Work in somebody's campaign, three hours a week, if that's all you can do."

SNIP..."Dean criticized Bush's plan to create personal investment accounts as part of Social Security, saying: "I don't believe the way to fix Social Security is to have Wall Street run it so that it can be invested in Enron and Tyco and MCI."

On another topic, Dean said that continued federal budget deficits are a problem because foreign investors, including the Chinese, hold much of the debt. How would you like to have people you have a disagreement with holding the paper on your house?" he said."

"Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who was elected in a 2002 race marked by tensions between moderate and conservative Republicans, hadn't planned to attend any of Dean's events...."

[Downtown Hound]

1. So far, Dean's doing all the right things.

[Gloria]

2. Excellent imagery by Dean!!!

eom

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Glad to hear this

I wonder if those numbers are real? Anybody here attend the event to verify? Dean is doing great with the crowds. :D

[madfloridian]

4. He is brave to go to all those places.

I think Monday he and Pelosi are in Las Vegas, or maybe the week-end for an AFL-CIO convention.

I don't know how he keeps up the pace.

[Carolab]

5. He's a Scorpio. When they are committed, the energy is boundless. n/t

[madfloridian]

6. Comments from Dean's press person, Laura Gross, at the DNC blog.

http://www.democrats.org/blog/index.html
"A standing ovation in Kansas!
I was with Gov. Dean last night when a standing ovation greeted him in Topeka, Kansas. Yes — a standing ovation in Kansas! The governor was at Washburn University speaking to a large group of students and Topeka citizens as part of the "Red, White and Blue Tour."

He spoke about getting involved in politics — not just voting, but volunteering on a campaign, donating money — even if it's just a few dollars — and not giving up in even the most Republican districts. He said that Democrats need to "show up" or else they will never win. After all, how can they win, if they don't try? And, he is obviously taking a dose of his own medicine by "showing up" in Kansas.

It's great he's in Kansas today — primaries for local races like mayor, city council and school board take place next week.

I can't wait for tomorrow — a fundraiser with 1,000 people in Lawrence — the tickets were $5 per person and it sold out in 2 1/2 hours."

Posted by Laura Gross @ 08:41 AM

You can leave your own comments under her notes, or in the Open Thread at the top of the page.

[Padraig18]

7. I heard that all 800 tickets sold in 2 hours.

America is hungry for a new message, even in Kansas!

:thumbsup: