Howard Dean spoke at a Denver rally today, acknowledging hard work ahead.

[madfloridian]

Governor Dean rallied in Denver today...

Dean in Denver



Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean jokes with supporters
during a community celebration in the Colorado Convention Center in Denver
on Thursday, April 12, 2007, to mark the 2008 Democratic National Convention
being held in Denver in the summer of 2008. Dean was on hand with other
dignitaries to kick off the effort to stage the political convention, which
will be the first held in the Mile High City since 1908. Elbra Wedgeworth,
back, the president of the Denver 2008 Host committee, looks on. (AP
Photo/David Zalubowski)

"What we want to do in Colorado is set the table for a new Democratic party," Dean said. "The kind of party that's not afraid to be in every single state."

...""We have a lot of work ahead of us," he said. "For a sustained period of time, a lot of attention will be focused on Denver."

The pro-Democratic crowd cheered several times during the 20 minute rally.

"This is the beginning of a new America," he said. "One based on hope, based on cooperation, based on honesty - we're going to start telling the truth to the American people."

There is video as well at this link. The reporter said after a few other events Dean and his group were going to hightail it out of town before the weather moved in and prevented them from leaving. So I gather Denver's got some weather coming.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=952695&cl=2375227&src=news

Also at the event was Mayor Hickenlooper.


Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, right, greets Denver
Mayor John Hickenlooper during a community celebration in the Colorado
Convention Center in Denver, Thursday, April 12, 2007, to mark the 2008
Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Denver in the summer
of 2008. Dean was on hand with other dignitaries to kick off the effort to
stage the political convention, which will be the first held in the Mile
High City since 1908. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski

[MrModerate]

1. They've got some issues to work out in Denver . . .

And the whole convention thing has me worried. Conventions seldom show a party at its best, and the underside of the political process is pretty ugly.

I hope this one is handled with some grace and artistry.

[madfloridian]

2. Dean said Denver was risky, but we could not win without takng risks.

Moving the Piggy Bank

It will take compromise, but it could have the effect of making union progress there. When you are shifting a power base, it takes time and effort.

[MrModerate]

3. Which is why I like Howard Dean and don't trust the DLC --

They seem to want to win by waving their hands and invoking magic electoral spells (a la Karl Rove), while Dean wants to win by engaging voters by getting the Dem message out to them.

On the whole, I think Dean's approach is not only more effective, but safer -- in that we don't risk selling our souls.

[madfloridian]

4. I found this short interview with Dean by a blogger there today...

http://www.squarestate.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=3668

"Governor Dean and I started off talking about his meetings with labor and the rally/celebration. He so far had two meetings with labor including one setup specifically with the head of the AFL-CIO, John Sweeney. Dean said, "Everything is going great. The facilities have been terrific." He was also delighted with the turnout and energy at the 11am public event. Dean expressed that he got a sense that people are ready for more change in Colorado.

In terms of labor Dean expressed optimism that the concerns labor groups have can be worked out. "We want the same things," for the American people, "decent wages and working conditions. On the other labor groups such as Change to Win, UNITE-HERE, and the SEIU, the DNC worked very closely with all of them in choosing Denver as the host city for the Convention and have all been on board.

Dean expressed that with Denver being the host city he sees this as an opportunity for labor groups to grow their ranks.

.....Next I asked about the continued role of the netroots in the continuing changing face of politics. Dean has been a strong supporter of the netroots and explained why they're (we're) so important. On this he commented, "they've brought politics back to the community, and it's a way for individuals to get information instead of having it spoon-fed by outfits such as Fox."

With that he had to go, and I thanked him for his time."

[Jack Sprat]

5. Complete agreement here.

I have total faith in the direction of Howard Dean. We need to take our message everywhere if we want to change this country for the better and I think that's what we need to do.

[madfloridian]

6. I was watching his December interview on BayNews9 in Tampa Bay...

They specifically asked him about Florida, and if he felt they had made or could make much leeway here. I am going to transcribe some parts by the way, just haven't gotten around to it. There is also an important part in which he says if Florida moves its primary up into February, any candidate which campaigns here will get zero delegates...

Anyway, back to Florida. He did not seem to feel very hopeful about our state yet. I know they are building the party here again, after he had to get it out of the red column.

He said though we made a little progress last November, there was a long way to go. It is a Republican governor, house and senate, strongly so. He was not very encouraging, but not giving up.

I need to get part of that transcribed. It was a 20 minute interview, very candid.

One thing...since we got the political directors, the state party is really on the ball. We get emails, notices of events, we are kept up to date. That never happened before. Such a difference. I notice our local chair often quotes Nate, the poltical director for our area. It is good to see this happening.

[Jack Sprat]

8. After moving from Pensacola

over the winter and following the November elections, I well know that we have a long way to go to restake a claim in Florida. However, Crist is not the dictator that the typical bushwhacker like Jeb was. He seems to be inclined towards making elections fair and democratic once again.

I respect and support the unions and understand their misgivings about the Denver site for the convention. I look at states like Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico and think that we can win in these states and we can organize labor in these states. It is an opportunity. The strategy of forcing the Rethugs to defend every district not only offers hope for isolated Democrats, but gives people in those areas another option and a different perspective. We are a national party and should never be reduced to being regional again.

[CK_John]

7. Will the time difference help with TV coverage on the East Coast. n/t

[madfloridian]

9. I would think it would help a lot.

Probably have a bad effect on Eastern time.