...I'm okay with being REALITY-based.




Monday, June 23, 2003
      ( 2:56 PM )
 
The Race is On

Howard Dean has officially launched his campaign. I couldn't see it because I'm at work, but the speech looks good. From the descriptions (especially from the Dean fans in his blog's comments) everyone seems to feel that he came off energetic and smart. NPR first reported that he spoke to a crowd of "hundreds" but from other reports it sounds more like it was in the 1,000's. The most engaging part of his speech was the populist message of "power" in the hands of the voters.

NTodd has a great replay of it from a Vermonter's view, which is really worth reading. CNN reports a crowd of 2,500:

A former governor in a race dominated by
congressional Democrats, Dean has gotten off to
a surprisingly strong start despite a lack of money
and meager support from party insiders.

The key has been his opposition to the U.S.-led
war against Iraq -- a position that galvanized
liberal voters who believe that Democratic leaders
are kowtowing to Bush.

In a call to disenchanted voters of all political
stripes, Dean said, "You have the power to rid
Washington of all the politics of money."

I have heard that Gov. Dean didn't do as well on his Meet the Press segment on Sunday, but I didn't see it. So far, however, it looks like he's off to a good start. Hopefully he will get a lot more exposure and fundraising mileage out of his campaign now.

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