Howard Dean and Amy Klobuchar telling Minnesota how it is. Speaking today.

[madfloridian]

Dean Inspires Democrats

ROCHESTER, Minn. — DFL delegates heard a familiar, and beloved, voice Friday as they began their state convention.

“No matter which candidate you supported, we will respect every single voter in these primaries, and we will respect every single voter in this United States,” national Democratic Chairman Howard Dean said, because Americans “don’t want a third term for George W. Bush.”

..."Delegates gave Dean repeated and lengthy applause, at times applauding while he tried to complete a sentence, which in Dean’s case could be pretty lengthy.

The party chairman told delegates they cannot just sit on the sidelines.

“This is not up to Barack Obama to win this race; it is up to you,” he said.

Delegates sounded like they would be enthusiastic supporters of Obama, showing no signs of a split between those backing Hillary Clinton and Obama.

Here is video clip from the event.

Video clip of MN convention

More from the event, including a video also of Klobuchar speaking.

Message on the floor: Democrats unite

Dean also launched a criticism of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, calling him "badly out of touch with what the American people want."

Dean trod carefully in the first part of a 22-minute speech, with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton yet to officially announce her departure from the race. But he exhorted the party faithful to get behind the candidacy of Barack Obama.

Dean saluted Clinton for "her leadership and commitment to America," adding that "We have not seen the last of Hillary Rodham Clinton."

But he announced that "the time for disagreement is over. Every one of us has a responsibility to help bring the Democratic party together."