Tampa Bay/St Pete/Sarasota area.....10,292 for Dean Meet-Up.

[madfloridian]

I think I figured this out correctly at the national Meet-up. This does not include more inland counties where we are which also have active groups. This is the figure signed up for Meet-up.

The reason I decided to check this out was because of this article in the St. Petersburg Times.
It is about Hernando County Meet Up just being formed. Very interesting and heartwarming.

Dean Meet-Ups mobilizing Democrats

The man who organized the Spring Hill meet-up, Rick Henry, is somewhat an exemplar of the centrist type that Dean is attracting in Hernando County. Several people at the meet-up described themselves as former Republicans or conservative Democrats who did not agree with Dean's entire platform.

"I don't agree with everything, but I feel very comfortable with Dean, and I began to realize what an effective campaign he's putting together," said Bob Morse of Spring Hill...."

This is an interesting member:
SNIP...""The average American is afraid to speak his mind," said Charles Wingrove, a former Alaska state legislator who passed around a recent copy of the Nation, a magazine known for its feisty investigative work and liberal commentary. "They're afraid of being called unpatriotic."

[Bill of Rights]

1. My GOD

that's a lot of people. I'm impressed.

[madfloridian]

2. Tampa is the home of Cent Com, so surprising.

It is a good number. I checked my figures twice.

[Hoppin_Mad]

3. Thanks -

I have met several people at Dean meetups who are still repubs, but fed up with Chimpy.

There is even a republicans for Dean site !

Too far left ?

Pshaw !

[madfloridian]

4. Found this part interesting, some DEC members and local candidates

are coming to the meeting there. They had to shush a candidate and say let's concentrateo on Dean.

SNIP..."Political activist Joe Lemieux also attended the December meet-up, speaking loudly and often. He said he supports Dean, but also used the opportunity to campaign for his own candidacy for the County Commission - at least until Gil Williams, another DEC member, interrupted Lemieux to steer conversation back to electing Dean.

Garrison Urette, a statewide organizer for Dean, said what has happened in Hernando County is not uncommon. The Dean meet-ups are so popular that local groups and Democratic candidates have used them to spread their own messages...."

[Scott Lee]

6. Yesterday there were several furious defenders of Clark and Kerry

trying to argue that point (about there being no crossover support from repubs for Dean). Thanks for backing that up.

[madfloridian]

5. The Donkey Express mentioned here, have not heard of it before.

SNIP...""There were people I had not seen before who were very enthusiastic about Dean but who hadn't participated in (Democratic) activities," said Steve Zeledon, who used to be a DEC officer but has recently thrust his energy into the Donkey Express, a new Democratic group.

In fact, Zeledon said his purpose for attending the Dean meeting was to solicit membership for the Donkey Express, which started a few months ago. Zeledon has yet to commit to any single Democratic presidential candidate.

Here is an article about the The Donkey Express:
Club is Regrouping Democrats

SNIP.."Unlike the DEC, which can only have a maximum of four members from any voting precinct, the Donkey Express will be able to open its ranks to all who have a taste for party politics.

The organization's mission is broad: to register more Democrats, get them to vote and to encourage qualified candidates to seek office.

"It will be an open forum," Hernandez said. "Any well-intended Democrat that seeks the same goals as we are is welcome."

[madfloridian]

7. A kick for big numbers and to show the demographics of supporters.

"The man who organized the Spring Hill meet-up, Rick Henry, is somewhat an exemplar of the centrist type that Dean is attracting in Hernando County. Several people at the meet-up described themselves as former Republicans or conservative Democrats who did not agree with Dean's entire platform.
Henry moved to Florida as a Republican in the Air Force. He campaigned for Bob Dole during the 1996 presidential election. Henry, 37, switched to the Democratic Party a few years ago, embracing its more liberal stance on social issues. However, had Sen. John McCain won the Republican nomination in 2000, Henry said, he might have voted Republican...."

I have been saying this along, that we were attracting a varied group of people. We have some very liberal, moderates, and the more conservative. None of us agree with all of the stances, but the fairness and rightness of what he says draws people.