Howard Dean at Democracy Fest Sunday....summary with pictures.

[madfloridian]

I rounded up some stuff about Howard Dean's annual speech at Democracy Fest in NH this week-end.

http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/4181



Chairman Howard Dean is welcomed by the crowd at DemocracyFest Sunday evening in Manchester.

Several pages of pictures from Democracy Fest, the ones of Howard Dean are on this page and the next one.

http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/jsneirson/sets/72157600336122225/?page=2

Getting ready to speak.



Surrounded afterwards by Deaniacs and old friends from DFA



Green Mountain Daily blog has some comments about his speech.
Green Mountain Daily

Dean, of course, entered with rock star fanfare. After referring to the event as a "family reunion," Dean began his balancing act of playing his role as chief Democratic Party cheerleader, while acknowledging, and even validating, the concerns and frustrations of liberal Democrats who play the role of his constituency. He acknowledged openly that the Democratic victories of last year constituted "probational employment," and after praising Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid, commented that a "fair amount of you are disappointed ahe voting a couple weeks ago in Congress."

Dean's response was to validate, but to remind attendees that Harry Reid starts out every Iraq vote with only 49 votes, given Tim Johnson's temporary incapacity and Joe Lieberman's delusional intransigence.

I believe the comments about Lieberman were made by the blogger, not Dean.

For those looking for some of Dean's famous (or infamous) take-no-prisoners rhetoric, they got a taste during his discussion of the filibustered immigration bill. While acknowleding the bills shortcomings, he placed it's failure squarely on the shoulders of the far right, stating "what we don't need is a lot of racist hysteria about immigration" based on fears of immigrants because they "don't look like you" or that they may "change the character of your town."

Dean, in contrast, praised the majority of immigrants as hard workers, calling them "the best of the best" and asking "why wouldn't we want people like that in the United States of America?" Tying the frustrations around immigration legislation and the Iraq vote together, he stated that it was time to "get rid of the stranglehold the right wing has on the US Senate."

It was a very positive speech and Dean did what Dean does so well; lay out his own anger and frustration but channel it positively and optimistically into a rallying cry. Whatever you think of the man or his politics, you'd be fooling yourself to deny this oratorical talent he's honed on the national stage.

Here are few more notes I found in the comments at the DFA blog made by Monica.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/

We're not asking for amnesty. Enforce the immigration laws. Control borders. No racist hysteria about immigration.

"We tried to make a lot of compromises" Once again the right wing of the
Republican party nixed the bill. We need to get rid of the strangle hold of the right wing and we're going to do it in this state next year.

Thanks us for the journey to two-way campaign. The way you win is to talk
to everybody, starting NOW. Asking people for votes is a sign of respect.

Go door to door and ask for every single vote. We need to get to know
folks. Dem message has been carried by Rush and O'Reilly.
New generation in every community, including the evangelical community.
Get people to church by talking about hope--not beating up on people.

Bought time on Christian radio the last ten days before election. Delivered by the weather man. No ordinary Americans should be ignored (Rush and O'Reilly excepted)

Right wing is more focused on power than on what's right for America.

I notice the blogger at Green Mountain daily said he will be posting an interview with Governor Dean later. I will update when I see it.

[madfloridian]

1. Update: odum's interview with Dean from GMD...

I said I would post it when I found it. It is a nice interview.

http://greenmountaindaily.com/frontPage.do

was wondering if the job had aged the Governor, given it's demands as well as the grief he has received from friend and foe alike, but Dean looked fit, rested, healthy and relaxed, which suggests to me that the job is a good fit.

...."odum: Have your critics warmed up to the 50 state strategy yet?

Dean: Oh yeah, I think it's pretty much been absorbed. It's now called the (looks at aide) what's it called? The "enhanced field" or something like that. Because of course they would never call it the 50 state strategy...

odum: (chuckle) That's great.

..."odum: Recently - I dont know if you've been engaged in Vermont, but, the Vermont Legislature has received a lot of criticism from all sides on its priorities and product. I'm wondering What sort of general advice you would give to legislative leaders to retake control of the debate...?

Dean: I think the legislature's done a great job. What they need is a really aggressive message program. Jim Douglas has, what, fourteen people on the media staff? I had one! YOu know, they're being out-spun, but their work product is terrific. I mean, I think this is a great Legislature that they've got. There hasn't actually been much that's come out of the Governor's office in terms of intitiatives that've gotten passed. The Legislature's passed most of the stuff, and the Legislature's driving the boat

[madfloridian]

2. Internet and netroots campaigning: “I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

http://vermontdailybriefing.com/?p=662

"On the Internet and netroots campaigning: “I think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

Precisely. And in a moment of supreme focus, Odum forces Dean to actually write down the time and date of next month’s Political BBQ and Hamburger Summit. Well struck, as they say in England."

[xxqqqzme]

3. I talked w/ 2 people @ DFA HQs yesterday.

They said Howard didn't disappoint. I get to see him tomorrow night in LA. The 50 state strategy has been adopted as the 58 county strategy here in CA & that from a state chair that is NOT a Howard Dean fan.

[madfloridian]

4. Here's a video I posted in the video forum

Thought you might be interested.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x34140

He really is on the road. Reno last night for a JJ dinner. Tires me out to think about all that travel.

[hippiechick]

5. Sigh. I still adore the Good Dr.

:applause: Keep on kickin' ass, doc! :toast: