Spring Break
Dean's grassroots initiative
Noah Cohen
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
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Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean announced a grassroots effort to educate Americans about the Democratic Party during an Oct. 30 press conference with college journalists in Drexel University's Main Building hours before the presidential primary debate.
The plan, known as "Neighbor to Neighbor," works by having supporters knock on 25 doors three times a year in hopes of building a relationship with prospective democratic voters, Dean said.
Dean described the plan as a chance to "let [residents] know that we are not anything like what those folks [media] say," referring to right-wing media figures including Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage.
In describing the plan, Dean pointed to O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Savage as examples of "hateful media."
"The way to counteract what I call hate radio is to show up," Dean said.
"If you don't show up in an area, you let a Bill O'Reilly tell them [voters] what Democrats are," DNC spokesman Damien LaVera said.
LaVera pointed to Fox News programs and republican "misinformation campaigns" as the forces neighbor to neighbor hopes to counteract.
The effort will begin Nov. 3 with over 700 house parties followed by training sessions across the county according to LaVera.
"Neighbor to Neighbor" is part of the DNC's "50 State" strategy to mobilize groups on the local level to elect Democratic candidates into office. Dean started the initiative when he took charge of the DNC in February 2005.
In addition to railing against the right-wing media, Dean spoke harshly about the Republican Party and Bush Administration policy. He said the Republican Party lacks the ethnic and gender diversity seen among Democratic candidates, citing Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as Gov. Bill Richardson.
"This year our ticket reflects to the greatest extent in our history what our party looks like," Dean said.
In 2006, 61 percent of voters under 30 cast their ballot for Democrats. According to Dean, this had much to do with the party's diverse candidates.
The plan, known as "Neighbor to Neighbor," works by having supporters knock on 25 doors three times a year in hopes of building a relationship with prospective democratic voters, Dean said.
Dean described the plan as a chance to "let [residents] know that we are not anything like what those folks [media] say," referring to right-wing media figures including Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage.
In describing the plan, Dean pointed to O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Savage as examples of "hateful media."
"The way to counteract what I call hate radio is to show up," Dean said.
"If you don't show up in an area, you let a Bill O'Reilly tell them [voters] what Democrats are," DNC spokesman Damien LaVera said.
LaVera pointed to Fox News programs and republican "misinformation campaigns" as the forces neighbor to neighbor hopes to counteract.
The effort will begin Nov. 3 with over 700 house parties followed by training sessions across the county according to LaVera.
"Neighbor to Neighbor" is part of the DNC's "50 State" strategy to mobilize groups on the local level to elect Democratic candidates into office. Dean started the initiative when he took charge of the DNC in February 2005.
In addition to railing against the right-wing media, Dean spoke harshly about the Republican Party and Bush Administration policy. He said the Republican Party lacks the ethnic and gender diversity seen among Democratic candidates, citing Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as Gov. Bill Richardson.
"This year our ticket reflects to the greatest extent in our history what our party looks like," Dean said.
In 2006, 61 percent of voters under 30 cast their ballot for Democrats. According to Dean, this had much to do with the party's diverse candidates.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Marcia Moody
posted 11/02/07 @ 11:24 PM EST
Howard Dean as Chairman of the Democratic Party has done more to revive and restore credibility to the Party than anyone in the past 50 years. His 50 State Strategy is what got Democrats elected up and down the ticket in November 2006. (Continued…)
Corey P.
Corey Payraudeau
posted 11/06/07 @ 3:22 AM EST
This article is so full of opinion it should be in the op-ed section.
I hope the triangle can manage to have reporting that reports both sides of the story. (Continued…)
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