I think it was right around the time I hopped into the cab on my way back to the hotel from Satisfaction restaurant that it hit me. I witnessed, in North Carolina, the template for rebuilding the Democratic Party and reclaiming the country -- I suspect it happened for many of you across the country as well tonight. And the best part about it, is that it happened on a night that President Bush was supposed to bask in the glow of netwok television cameras and a host of cable channels covering the State of the Union.
Local participation at the grassroots level and small-dollar contributions via the Democracy Bonds program is how we reclaim our country for Main Street Americans, and take it back from those who dwell on K Street.
I don't know why it took me so long tonight. Sure, everyone was excited to see Governor Dean, but it only took a few conversations with dozens of North Carolinians to realize their focus in 2006 was on a handful of State Supreme Court races and a full-slate of congressional and state legislative contests. This is a state that went for George Bush by 12% in 2004, and those in attendance were not detered, they were reinvigorated.
It didn't take but a few minutes for me to realize the first part of the equation; Democrats in North Carolina are completely sold on the Democracy Bonds program as the flip-side to the fifty state strategy. Someone actually brought in six cases of bottled water for the crowd with homemade Democracy Bonds wrapping on them and left them out, free of charge.
Photo: Democracy Bonds Water Bottles (click to visit Democracy Bond page)
When Governor Dean took the stage, he brought one of the bottles with him and immediately began to speak of the program.
Video: Governor Dean Talks About Democracy Bonds
But again, this was a local event that just happened to have a bit of national attention. Much like the fundraising Governor Dean does for local parties across the state in his travels, this event too, had a tremendous local flavor. Take a look at the huge banner behind Governor Dean... This was the backdrop for all of the television and newspaper crews in attendance. This was the backdrop for the Democrats who have invested their blood, sweat, and tears over the past 15 months, never stopping after election day. This event was about those North Carolina Democrats, thanking them for their hard work in 2004, 2005, and the long road we have ahead of us in 2006 and 2008.
Photo: Durham County Democratic Party Backdrop
Keep checking back in over at the DNC blog over the next two days. I have a ton of video of not only Governor Dean addressing the crowd, but more importantly, the people of North Carolina talking about their plans to rebuild, organize, and turn the state from Wolfpack red to Carolina (or Duke) blue. Just like Precinct Chair Troy McLane of Durham.
Video: Troy McLane Discusses Local Organization
More Video and Photos:
Video: Governor Dean Takes the Stage
North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek
A Capacity Crowd
Isn't it time to
invest in a Democracy Bond?
Tim