We owe a lot of our success, as a party and a movement, to Howard Dean. As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean led the way (equipped with a 50 state strategy that he was the main architect of) and helped elect a Democratic majority in the House, Senate and also led to the election of President Barack Obama.
Of course, the discussion about health care is important. But the political aspect of this is huge. Getting Howard Dean's endorsement is something that will hold a lot of weight with a lot of people, including the likes of myself who already support Gillibrand. Dean endorsing Gillibrand is a huge endorsement for Gillibrand and while she has received many endorsements from Democratic Party leaders and elected officials, having the backing of Howard Dean will help rally more and more progressives in support of Gillibrand.
Here is the text of the endorsement:
Well I want to thank Kirsten for the time she gave to do the interview. I asked her to do the interview because I'm considering endorsements in the United States Senate race in New York. So I'll tell you one very quick story about Kirsten Gillibrand.
She was elected in 2006, and I spent four years in Washington - and a lot of people in Washington say a lot of things and usually don't do anything about it. She came in about two and a half year ago when she was a representative and told me when I was chairman of the DNC that she wanted to do something for women through the Women's Leadership Forum. And I thought to myself, this is really great, but I'll bet it'll never happen.
She's the only person in four years that came to me, made a promise, and then brought six of her women colleagues in the House then, to raise money for the Democratic National Committee so we could have this big majority in the House and this big majority in the Senate.
And today, she's satisfied me that she knows how to use that majority in order to get things done. So I'm pleased to endorse Kirsten Gillibrand for the United States Senate for her re-election.
The endorsement is big, but the discussion Dean and Gillibrand had about health care really shows just how progressive Gillibrand is on the issue. For all the criticisms that she has wavered on issues from the past to the present, her support of a public option is something that she had stood by during her time in the Senate. She hasn't backed down from that, which is admirable and, well, progressive.
This is a great night for Gillibrand. Getting Dean's backing could be the most important endorsement she has received to date. Dean is well respected among those in the Democratic Party, the progressive movement and the netroots/grassroots. This endorsement will hold weight among all of those groups.
8:46: Extolling the 50-state strategy- says we are going to win Alaska and Virginia, talks about the special elections we've won in deep red districts this year. Personally, I thought the 50SS would take at least 10 years to bear fruit, but I guess having the right candidate helps out a lot.
We were told literally minutes before it occurred that DNC Chairman Howard Dean would be speaking at a rally outside of Netroots Nation. That rally featured many supporters (I would say 100 people at the very least). Here's one photo:
Of course, Dean will be giving tonight's opening keynote inside Netroots Nation. I am looking forward to that AND the air conditioning that comes with it. Here in Austin the temperature is 94 degrees as of 1 p.m. CDT. So the indoors is the preferred place to be right now.
As for other "famous people" sightings, I just saw Markos walking around. Rick Noriega's wife Melissa Noriega, a Houston City Councilwoman, introduced Dean when he spoke at the rally.
I will have more on Dean and either pictures or video from his speech tonight up later.
Rochester Turning has video of Town of Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel announcing that she will not go forward with her Senate candidacy which opened things up for Rick Dollinger to become the designated candidate in the 56th Senate District.
One of the impressive candidates I encountered was Joanne Winslow, who announced her candidacy in the 7th Judicial District last month. She is incredibly smart and has an impeccable resume. In person, she is an amazing person and is a terrific speaker.
Something I must mention is the ovation Eric Massa received when he was officially designated. It wasn't only a standing ovation, but it was a roaring ovation. There is a lot to like about Eric Massa. A lot of people in NY-29 are looking forward to Massa being their representative come January 2009.
Overall, another terrific event put on by the Monroe County Democrats who have an excellent organization and staff. Howard Dean certainly added an extra level of excitement about this event and Dean delivered. His speech was inspiring and showed that this country missed out on a man who would have made a great and passionate president.
(Note: Pardon my camera work throughout. There were a few times where people gave Gov. Dean a standing ovation and I had to adjust accordingly.)
This is the whole speech broken up into two parts. The first video is over five minutes long and the second video is over nine minutes long. It was a great speech. I'll have a full write-up on the event later.
Governor Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, will be in Rochester tomorrow for a reception benefiting NY-29 Democratic candidate Eric Massa and to attend the Monroe County Democratic Committee's designating caucus.
Massa's race with Rep. Randy Kuhl has been declared a toss up by Roll Call and Roll Call has also named Kuhl one of the top ten most vulnerable members of Congress.
Dean will surely be a draw at both events. His work as chairman of the Democratic Party has been nothing short of great and his 50 state strategy has left a mark throughout the country. We saw that strategy at work in Mississippi last night and we have even seen it here in New York, with Massa's race being a prime example. As a party, we now have faith that we can win anywhere. Last night's win in MS-01 proved that. The wins in Louisiana and in Illinois proves that this strategy works.
Dean has led our party to strong victories throughout the country and it is not a coincidence that in 2006, we took back the Congress. Dean played a key role in that and will continue to play a key role in our successes come November.
Here we are three and a half years later and we are preparing to turn control of ostensibly solid republican Stephentown over to Democrats. Good things start with just those first few steps.
Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals of Democracy for America (you may know it as DFA), the group founded by Howard Dean. We're proud to have TAP folks as members.
DFNYC has continually petitioned electeds to end the war, and spoken out for withholding funds. A totally volunteer, non-profit political action committee, DFNYC works for fiscally responsible, socially PROGRESSIVE candidates to WIN, at ALL levels of government.
Because of yesterday's terrible vote, Democracy for NYC is NOT caving. In point of fact, we are CHARGED. Read on.
