http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2006/01/25/news/lake_county/8542f6d4b45a1c1c86257101000ee092.txtFew Democratic Party national figures have visited Northwest Indiana since Sen. Robert F. Kennedy bellied up to Hammond's Yankee bar in 1968 during his doomed presidential campaign.
Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee chairman, will end that dry spell with a rally at 6 p.m. Thursday at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30, Hobart.
Admission is a $50 contribution to the state and county party. Dean also will be at a smaller reception at 5 p.m. for supporters at the $500 level or higher.
"It shows the national party is giving not only the state of Indiana, but the Lake County Democratic Party some respect," Rudy Clay, county Democratic chairman, said Tuesday.