The buzz about Dean

[ProudToBeLiberal]

By Eileen McNamara, Globe Columnist, 12/3/2003

WOLFEBORO, N.H. -- Most of the sign holders along North Main Street have not seen their 30th birthdays. Most of the seat warmers inside are nostalgic for 50. But there is no apparent generation gap in the crowd that turns out to hear Howard Dean on a recent brisk late afternoon.

A room meant to hold 300 fills with nearly twice that number. They sit cross-legged in the aisles, lean two-deep against the walls. A few sport Dean buttons, but most wear the expression of hope and doubt that is the mark of an undecided presidential primary voter.

/snip/

What, after so many repetitions, could be a tired stump speech is, instead, a call to action. Dean strikes the most responsive chord when he insists that his campaign is not just about him; it is about the retirees, the students, the seasonal workers, and the unemployed in his audience. Donors who write small checks. House party hosts newly active in politics. Registered voters who might actually vote this time around. Ralph Nader voters who are ready to move beyond protest and symbolism.

/snip/

According to the US Census Bureau, 32 percent of Americans between 18 and 24 voted in 2000, compared with 68 percent of those over 65. Riding motorcycles on to late night talk shows or donning turtlenecks for "Rock the Vote" debates will not close that gap. Jobs are not just a concern of the young, any more than Social Security is just a concern of the aged, Dean says.

more..

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2003/12/03/the_buzz_about_dean/

[xxqqqzme]

1. Yeah, baby!

I think Eileen gets it. I've been in this room only it was in California.

[Fridays Child]

2. What a coincidence. I was in that room in Arizona.

That was some room. A crowd that was anticipated to fill one ballroom grew to three. The hotel manager had to keep folding back the doors between rooms and, still, the place was packed, shoulder to shoulder.

[Rose Siding]

4. "This campaign is about community"

This is the sentiment I heard in the room. The media hears the anger first so it's always good to find that the real message makes it to print.

[quaker bill]

3. Going to the meetup tonight

To see what there is to be seen.

[mistertrickster]

5. The conservatives have tried to brainwash the sheeple that "gov't is no

good" for three decades. Dean is running on the message that gov't IS the people. That's why the right wing loathes him. He might really cut into their stranglehold on power.

[goforit]

6. Come on America.........come out of the dark and see the light!!!

You......everyone can make it happen!!!!

Follow Dean!!!!

[Oreegone]

7. Yeah what a great article on Meetup night ~Inspiring

We have a wonderful crossection of society every month. It's great. At my table I had a gay couple, a republican, a grandmother, two college students a green party person and a few middle aged Democrats. Sure was fun....Hope to see you there.