I wanted to share an inspiring story from the Gathering Storm with you, before it becomes pointless tonight about 6:30 PM CST. The caucus represents the first test of what we Dean supporters have built. After attending
Camp Wellstone this weekend (
read about Day 1 and stay tuned to
my diary for updates about my experience), I've come to see how much the Dean campaign is following the Wellstone playbook (decentralize, connect with and energize the base, massive volunteer involvement). Some of this was accidental; some of it is because Dean's field operation
is Wellstone people. Dean is no Wellstone, but I like to think that if Wellstone had run for President, his campaign would look a lot like this. And I think that Senator Harkin agrees with me.
Two weekends ago, I went down to Iowa to canvass for Howard Dean as part of the "Gatherning Storm".
After a long day of canvasing in Manly, Iowa (the town's real name, seriously), my group of Storm volunteers headed over to the Gore rally in Mason City. I wasn't expecting Senator Harkin to speak, so it was a big surprise and a treat. I've been a big fan of Harkin since his moving speech at the Wellstone Memorial in 2002.
After the rally was over, Gore and Harkin shook hands and posed for photos for a long time. I worked my way over to Harkin, waiting for a chance to speak with him. Finally, an opening appeared in the mass of adoring Iowans.
I shook his hand and said, "Senator Harkin, I saw you speak at the Wellstone Memorial. I wanted to thank you for that." Harkin replied, "It was hard for all of us." Then he said, "That's part of the reason I'm doing this. I see some of Wellstone in this Dean guy."
From Senator Harkin, that is no idle comparison! What an inspiration.