Well, for once I get to break news instead of link to it. Mathew Gross, burning the midnight oil in Burlington, just got off the phone with Kate who is on the road with Governor Dean. Blogger’s down, so Kate couldn’t post this herself. She asked if there’s a way to get the word out. Mathew IM’d me, and here you go…
Get this: three thousand, two hundred people rallied for Governor Dean tonight – in President Bush’s home state. This was a low-dollar fundraiser for Governor Dean alone. And it was all organized by local volunteers. The campaign was expecting around three hundred – and instead, more than three thousand people showed up at Plaza Saltillo in Austin. Reports have it that every local TV network was there, and Governor Dean stayed to do a number of interviews.
Let’s be real clear: 3200 people. In President Bush’s home state capital. Six months before the primaries.
Video will be coming to HowardDean.tv soon. Stay tuned.
Thanks for helping us get the word out, Rick!
ReplyDeleteThis was a truly amazing night. 10:30 pm, end of a very long day, just spooled up Trippi's email about the 23rd... and all of a sudden Burlington HQ just starts to hum with excitement as word filters in about what is happening in Austin. 3,200 people! It's hard to put perspective on just how massive an event that is, and how such a turnout is simply unheard of.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteIn Minnesota, we were patting ourselves on the back for pulling together a rally for Gov. Dean that drew 550 people with less than a week's notice.
But Texas for Dean has clearly raised the bar with this event. This is simply incredible. I mean, this is the largest rally of for any candidate since Gov. Dean broke the previous record in Seattle -- 1200.
These rallies are a great way to convert people to Dean. They're electrifying.
Is 3200 people really that many? Click my website for my perspective.
ReplyDeleteCarl with a K, we're talking about an event that was a) not announced in the local media AT ALL, b) was only expected to draw 300 persons, and c) was located in enemy territory. To get over TEN TIMES the expected turnout: Yeah, they did good!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, Austin's the most non-Nazi part of Texas. It's not really Bush's home turf - Houston is. If a Dean meetup can bring in a few thousand folks in Houston, under the same conditions as the Austin meetup, then we can truly say that we're making inroads into enemy territory!
just FYI, dean's appearance made all the local news stations up here in Dallas-Ft Worth!
ReplyDeleteI rode with 3 others as we drove nearly 200 miles from Dallas to Austin to witness the Deanthusiasm in person. It was awesome! The most energizing experience I've had as a political devotee. The Governor had me fighting back tears when he told the story of the 80-year old veteran who thanked him for his support of the Civil Union Law.
ReplyDeleteThe turnout surprised the local organizers. We showed up about 90 minutes early and there were at least 50-70 volunteers already on-hand to organize, set-up, and get ready for the crowd. But no one could have predicted the plaza would get packed from stage to the back fountain like it did. They stood there in the hot, humid Austin night for 2+ hours and their cheers and applause did not falter as the night wore on.
Way to go Glen! Way to go Texas! Let's do the same in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus, Bryan, Waco, etc!
It is wonderful to hear about the building support for Howard Dean. I think he is inspiring the sleeping majority in this country who has lost hope and left the political process (sadly of which I am one), which allowed Bush to win the election. His message and values are inspiring me and others to take action to try to change America back to what it is supposed to be. I hope his support reaches critical mass and he is able to challenge for the presidential election.
ReplyDeleteAustin isn't really enemy territory. Huge Nader support in the past for one thing. Lots of left liberals here. Demographically speaking, it bears little resemblance to the rest of Texas. Of course, there will be support in larger urban centers as well.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I'm really sorry I missed the gathering. This Dean thing is starting to look interesting.