Last Thursday I had breakfast with DNC Chairman Howard Dean in Birmingham, Alabama. Actually, I don’t think Gov. Dean ate a bite, but the other 160 of us enjoyed pastries, juice and coffee or tea. We also enjoyed hearing the Chairman’s take on the state of the Democratic Party and the direction he thinks it is moving.
My notes are in the extended text, with Dean’s words in quotation marks. WARNING for those of you with dial-up connections, there are several photos.
Cross posted from Left In Alabama.
Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham (looking happy at left) introduced Dean by saying that he is “a chairman’s chairman” because he “understands what we have to deal with.” Turnham also remarked that “Alabama is turning blue and it is an incredible time to be in the leadership of the Democratic Party.” He mentioned the 50 State Strategy and what a difference it makes to have support from the DNC, citing their investment in Sam Jones’ successful campaign to become the first black mayor of Mobile in 2005.
Gov. Dean started off by saying that we are “going to turn Alabama around,” mentioning the Senate seat now held by Jeff Sessions and some favorable polling Turnham had showed him. He talked about the importance and growth of the Democratic grassroots (the proceeds from this event are going to the DNC's State Partnership Program).
He said 2006 was a very good year for Democrats, citing the following:
Democrats won a majority in the U. S. House
Democrats won a majority in the U. S. Senate
Democrats now hold a majority of state legislatures
Democrats now hold the majority of state governorships
70,000 more Alabamians voted straight Democratic ticket than straight Republican ticket in 2006
Democrat Sue Bell Cobb became the first woman Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (huge applause at the mention of Sue Bell)
Jim Folsom handily won the Alabama Lt. Governorship
Dean (left) said the Democratic “message is breaking thru to people, even in Alabama, where 53% of people now disapprove” of the president’s management of the war. “The people of Alabama are ready for a change and the Democratic party is ready to lead that change.”
Dean then said a few things that seemed to be directed to Congress as much as to the Democrats in the room:
“If we don’t make every effort to force this president to change course we may find ourselves in the minority again.”
“If we don’t pass meaningful ethics legislation today we may find ourselves in the minority party again.”
“Do what the American public elected us to do: End the war in Iraq and bring our troops home with honor.”
“Supporting the troops means supporting them when they’re over there and supporting them when they get back home.”
He said Democrats in Congress have accomplished a number of goals since January, including legislation to increase the minimum wage, shifting the focus of national security back toward the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and making college more affordable. He said the Democratic Congress is working to “Restore the American Dream” and make it possible for poor and middle class people to send their kids to college.
“The Democratic Congress will no longer give the President the blank check Republicans gave him” regarding the hiring and firing of U. S. Attorneys and conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
He then talked about how Democratic candidates should interact with voters, mentioning the book What’s the Matter with Kansas, and the apparent contradiction of people voting against their self-interest. Dean said “Don’t tell people what their interest is. Listen to people to find out what their interest really is.” Then he brought up a “new generation of evangelicals” who are saying
“What about the poor?
What about Darfur?
What about the environment?”
and said these are people who are starting to think about voting Democratic again. He said “In 2009 there will be a Democratic president for all America, those who agree with us and those who disagree with us.”
He listed some reasons people vote for a candidate:
What they think of you
What kind of person you are
They don’t vote for you because of “18 page position papers.”
He listed some Democratic Values:
Fairness - (this is a “built in advantage for us”) Everyone should have a chance to “make a living and work hard and have a chance to succeed.” Workers should not see their kids left behind. Democrats don’t believe in giveaways but in programs to enable people.
Toughness – This is “not sending 135,000 troops to a country they don’t belong in and treating them like dirt when they come home.” Democrats believe in being “tough and smart to defend our country.”
Fiscal Responsibility - Ordinary people understand that “if they don’t balance the budget they will lose their home.” The Republicans have been deficit spending and are sending the bill to their children and grandchildren. Democrats understand that you “cannot borrow from the next generation simply to ensure electoral success.”
He finished up by saying that “Democrats can win anywhere in this country and we should not be afraid to ask people for their votes.” He said it is important that we treat people with respect and ask them to vote for us.
Of course, the crowd gave him a standing ovation when he finished (also when he first came into the room and when Turnham introduced him) and he shook a lot of hands and posed for photographs on the way out, but I don’t think he gave any media interviews.
Several things really pleased me about this event, above and beyond the speaker:
- There were many younger folks in the crowd. Some were Young Democrats or College Democrats, but some were not members of any group, just young people interested in the Democratic Party.
- There was a Precinct Organizer Volunteer Card at every place on the tables asking people to sign up to be either a Precinct Captain or a Precinct Volunteer. This relates back to showing people respect by asking them to help the Democratic party.
- They didn’t spend a huge amount on a lavish spread. We all joked about $50 not being enough to get gravy with the biscuits, but we really weren’t there for the food. This was a fundraiser to help the DNC State Partnership Program and I’ll bet at least 80% of the admission price went to that purpose, which is right and proper.
- That Howard Dean spoke at a low dollar event at all. He was also speaking at a $1000 a plate luncheon the same day. I’m glad the Democratic party thinks that it needs both the big ticket supporters and the less affluent and is willing to talk and listen to people in both groups.
Finally, here are some other links to reports on this same event:
At Sack Sessions
At Birmingham Blues
At Bessemer Opinions
The Birmingham News
Photos:
The room was filled and they had to bring in some more tables just before the event started.
Many people in the crowd wanted to be photographed with Gov. Dean and he graciously obliged. He was obviously pleased with the warm welcome.
Gov. Dean has just been given a "Bright Blue Dot" Hat and sticker.
Several of the young Democrats in attendance. There were quite a few young women there as well. They didn't mix afterwards. I don't know what's up with that.