A message from Howard Dean

[question everything]

(apologies if was posted, the search function is not)

Montana, one of the reddest states, has a new Democratic governor.

First-time candidates for state legislatures from Hawaii to Connecticut beat incumbent Republicans. And a record number of us voted to change course -- more Americans voted against George Bush than any sitting president in history.

Today is not an ending.

Regardless of the outcome yesterday, we have begun to revive our democracy. While we did not get the result we wanted in the presidential race, we laid the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leaders.

Democracy for America trained thousands of organizers and brought new leadership into the political process. And down the ballot, in state after state, we elected Dean Dozen candidates who will be the rising stars of the Democratic Party in years ahead.

Tens of millions of us are disappointed today because we put so much of ourselves into this election. We donated money, we talked to friends, we knocked on doors. We invested ourselves in the political process.

That process does not end today. These are not short-term investments. We will only create lasting change if that sense of obligation and responsibility becomes a permanent part of our lives.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

We will not be silent.

Thank you for everything you did for our cause in this election. But we are not stopping here.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

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And, I might add, Minnesota DFL had a net gain of 13 seats in the state assembly, making it now 68 Republicans and 66 DFLers.

[seraph]

1. KICK (nt)

:kick:

[eleonora]

2. ok, what's n/t?

[Abelman]

3. See, that's why!

He should be chairman of the DNC. He knows how to rally a base, he knows how to campaign, and he knows how to stay positive.

[madfloridian]

4. It is ok to post this again....it is very inspiring.

So was the conference call last night to meet-ups.

[napi21]

5. Dean is absolutely right! That's the way the Pubs built their

power structure of today. They started getting pubs elected to city councils, then mayors, state reps and sens, governors, then on to Fed. seats. It took then 30+ years to do it, and we're seeing the results now!

We are not starting quite as far down as they were back then so it shouldn't take as long for us to get back, but we can't take our eye off the prize! Stick with Howard's ideas. For being a newby in politics, he really knows what he's doing.

[cali]

7. Howard Dean is NOT a newbie in politics

He was a state legislator, Lt Gov and Gov for 11 years. He is one of the savviest and experienced pols on the landscape.

[sugarcookie]

6. Ok...now I am crying again

I needed this...I wanted to hear from someone/anyone today. I'm glad it was Dean. We can always count on Dean to keep lifting us up.

edit: to add text

[Puglover]

8. Minneapolis here...

it pleases me to no end that Pawlenty has egg on his face right now.

[Sugarbleus]

9. Bless you Howard Dean....BUT

this is a pep talk to keep people from retreating away from the political process and to keep the democratic party in the game. This is a good thing and I agree................HOWEVER, what about the people who have been left behind now? The most vulnerable people who were CLINGING by a thread for a Dem win? Those who are on the brink of despair and need RIGHT NOW????

I don't give a hoot WHO's running in 08...I and others need help RIGHT NOW.

WHO or what is going to do battle for us against the Bush freight train coming down the tracks RIGHT NOW?

I can't take APPEASMENTS to the grocery or receive healthcare with that.