So I met Howard Dean last night

[Melodybe]

Last night he attended the Democratic Elected Officials Appriceation Dinner, it was great we over sold the event, more people than chairs. Well over 1000 people attended.

Dean was great and gave a beautiful speech where he quoted the bible and talked about loving your neighbor. It teared me up and he got a standing ovation. He actually got 3 standing ovations during the dinner. Whoever says that MS Democrats don't love Howard Dean is a lying POS. He was also given the key to the city of Jackson and a piece of art from a local artist.

We had a group of repug protesters outside making fun of Dean, it was only about 12 people and they left when no one gave them any attention. One older gentleman I was talking to had to go inside so he would not be forced to "beat the hell out of those idiots."

Dean was so great he shook hands and talked with everyone that approached him. He took formal pictures with the all of the college Democrats (I'm in the Ole Miss pictures) and they should be up at the DNC blog soon.

It was a great evening and he is a great man.

I was a fan of Dean way back in the summer of 2003, meeting him was a high light of my life, he is my political idol and I will never forget last night.

[NYCGirl]

1. That's a wonderful report, Melodybe. I bet you're still walking on air! NT

[Melodybe]

9. I am, I even kissed him on the cheek, I couldn't help myself

[NYCGirl]

11. You lucky duck! I met him at a book signing, but I can't say

I had that pleasure. Even so, I was grinning for three days.

[madfloridian]

2. Thanks, Melody....I agree with that older gentleman.

I was just listening to the NPR report on it. He sounded like the old Howard. You were lucky to be there.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4519273

[napi21]

3. Well, I hope to have that same opportunity someday.

I have 2 of his books, and I'd give anything to have him sign them! I also was a Deaniac starting back in March 2003. Because of him, I went to meetups, wrote letters, held house parties, and even donated money...something I had NEVER done before in my 62 years!

[4morewars]

4. Excellent ! Good for You !

I met both Kerry and Edwards last year, but I have yet to meet the good doctor. I know I will eventually, though !

[BOSSHOG]

5. I'm Jealous

I live in Pearl River County and did not make it to Jackson last night but I'm very happy that Governor Dean came to MS. We can make a concerted effort and bring the state out of the darkness that seems to enshroud anything the republicans touch. If they keep on touching, ala Medicaid, we might not have to work very hard to unclutch the gop stranglehold. Its probably a good thing I wasn't there, because I'd have taken my veteran self outside and whipped some chickenhawk ass, with the cameras rolling.

[Southsideirish]

6. You are right he is a great man. I wish he had been our candidate.

[KT2000]

7. He is giving us hope

his tour is generating enthusiasm and it sure looks like he knows how to organize.
Thanks for the report - we need good news.

[cthrumatrix]

8. but but he "screams" and and is so so aloof......

[applegrove]

10. Hopefully we will all have more moments like this one you describe.

We need them. But it is up to all of us Liberals to make sure they happen.

[Cha]

12. I live vicariously

through you! That was a great report..I'm so happy for you! I can certainly relate:D

[Guaranteed]

14. Me too. I've still never met him.

Someday. :)

[Cha]

15. To "someday"!

:toast:

[madfloridian]

13. Here is a detailed write-up from Kos. It is excellent.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/2/201440/7902
Just a few of the more interesting snippets.

"Over 820 people attended this event, with the Clarion hotel ballroom packed and overflow crowds spilling into the hall. By the time the event was ending, the street leading to the hotel was chaos, with cars parked almost a half mile away."

" As the dinner started, after a warm and glowing tribute Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. gave Gov Dean a key to the capital city and told him: "You're already upsetting Republicans here in Mississippi. Keep up the good work."

The local media was there in full force, with representatives from all the state's major newspaper outlets and several local radio and television stations. A journalism class from Ole' Miss (University of Mississippi in Oxford) attended as a class project and the students fanned out across the reception hall getting interviews."

" When Gov Dean came to the podium for his speech, he was met with a standing ovation of thunderous applause. There were several rounds of standing applause during his speech, starting with Dean's opening statement: "The South will rise again, and when it does, it will have a D after its name." He criticized the national debt and said: "You cannot trust Republicans with your taxpayer dollars."

He prayed for American troops, saying even those who had criticized the war in Iraq should support soldiers and their families."