Dean fires up Connecticut Democrats

[cal04]

His speech interrupted several times by applause, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean delivered the party's game plan for unifying Democrats and winning back the White House on Sunday. "This is a national race. This is about what happens to America," said the former Vermont governor and 2004 Democratic presidential hopeful. "The (Republicans) don't get to say what the playing field is anymore."

His appearance drew about 175 people to New Haven's Belvedere hotel for a state Democratic fund-raiser. Dean has undertaken the task of recasting the party's image, making it one of values, community and reform. Unlike his well-publicized rant at a campaign stop during the 2004 run, Dean was mild but measured on Sunday. Getting the message out, he said, was paramount.

"We want our country back. We are all in this together," he said. "We are tired of a president who thinks it's OK to divide people to win the presidency."
Dean identified several goals for the party that included balancing the budget, a renewable energy policy and national health insurance. "We need jobs in this country and we can't have it without health insurance," Dean said.

Reproductive rights and separation of church and state also figure prominently on the party's platform. "We need to speak to people on our terms. We are not a pro-abortion party. The issue is whether a woman gets to decide or whether Tom DeLay or (President) Bush decides for them," he said. "We have great religious plurality in this country but we also ought to make sure that science is science, not religion," Dean said. He was referring to the current dispute now in federal court in Pennsylvania over whether a school district can teach evolution and intelligent design, representing them as theories.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--dean-democrats1009oct09,0,5583327.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut

[awoke_in_2003]

1. God,

how I love Howard. You go Dude.

[Cappadonna]

2. Only problem is that CT is still stuck with Holy Joe............

So Long as CT Dems (my Home state, go Huskies :) ) have the albatross of Joe Lieberman on their necks, they'll never be able to shake up things a at the state or local level.

If Dean really had guts, he would call Holy Joe to the mat for total sellout of progressives.

[madfloridian]

3. Here is a really nice write-up and picture.

Aldon Hynes' daughter had a picture taken with Dean during the campaign a year or so ago. She was kissing his cheek. Here she is again now, meeting him for the 3rd time, I think.

http://shadowbfa.blogspot.com/2005/10/fiona-has-all-luck.html