Pics and write-up from the Chicago health rally today. Good speakers.

[madfloridian]

I like to read and see events like this, because in our area of Florida we never see anyone special.....they should not be writing us off, but I think they are. At least sort of.
This just looked like fun. I think we post the activities of the other former candidates as well.

Pictures from the Chicago Bridging the Gap for Health Care rally in Chicago today, plus a report from Fran at the blog:

http://www.deanphotos.com/

QUOTE:..."Reporting in from Chicago. What a beautiful day!
There was a pre-rally marching band that paraded around the park to drum up interest. There is a certain je ne c'est quoi about a sousaphone isn't there?

Many bloggers got to put names with faces for the first time. Dean folk from Rockford, Peoria, and South Bend all made the rally. One of our wonderful Dean Dozen, Christine Cegelis was there to meet people as was Lee Goodman who is running against Mark Kirk. There were Dean and DFA shirts, buttons, hats and signs everywhere. I think there may have been more Dean paraphanelia than there was for any other political figure ;).

Dean was energized and eloquent as always. Jan Shakowsky was firey and intelligent as always. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was up to his usual oratorical standard. And Illinois State Senator Miguel Del Valle really blew me away. He noted that when the Republicans controlled the legislature and governorship, Democrats would always say "Just wait until we get in power." Well they've been in power for a year and a half and not much has been accomplished. Del Valle asked "Who are we going to blame now?"

The Governor looked relaxed and happy backstage. It was great to be with fellow DFAers. When "Doctor My Eyes" was played over the loud speaker, I did get a little teary over what might have been.

Posted by franster at June 19, 2004 05:09 PM"

[madfloridian]

1. Chicago Trib article about it. Also I heard 1500 in SF area rallied.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0406200218jun20,1,2983545.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed

SNIP..."Hundreds of people calling for universal health care rallied Saturday afternoon in Lincoln Park, vowing to vote President Bush out of office in November.

Former presidential candidate Howard Dean joined Rev. Jesse Jackson and members of the Service Employees International Union to speak in favor of heath-care reform, saying about 44 million Americans lack health insurance.

"The United States of America, the most powerful and wealthy country on the face of the Earth, should be able to join the British, French, Germans, Irish, Canadians, Italians, Israelis, Dutch, Danes, Swedes--even in Costa Rica, they have health insurance, and so should we," said Dean, former governor of Vermont.

Jackson said an amendment to the Constitution was needed, calling health care "a right, not a privilege for a few."

Hundreds attended the rally, one of 133 planned nationwide by the union and other groups...."

[madfloridian]

2. Someone on the blog reports local news said SF had 12,000?

Anyone know?

[Southsideirish]

3. Jan Shakowski said 10,000 were expected to march over the

Golden Gate Bridge so maybe they had even more than they expected! Great!