TLM's Report On Howard Dean At The House Of Blues.

Dean at House of Blues event report…


We drove up from San Diego to West Hollywood to attend the House of Blues event. Unfortunately, after getting stuck in LA traffic for three hours, we missed the Bangles who opened the show. We arrived just in time to see the Folksmen. The place was packed, wall to wall, standing room only.



For those who do not know, and may recognize the picture of lead singer as that guy from Spinal Tap…



The Folksmen are a group that was created for the movie A Mighty Wind. Which by the way is a very funny movie. They did a couple of numbers and it was a blast.



Rob Riener was the MC for the evening and after the Folksmen he introduced Howard Dean to thunderous applause. Dean spoke for about 30 minutes. First he said that the fact we captured Saddam was great, but he stands by his position that the war in Iraq was wrong and without justification.



He talked about the fact that Bush won’t allow the nations that wouldn’t support the war to have any access to the no bid contracts. First he pointed out that it was just foolish to further alienate these allies who we need to send troops to Iraq so our boys can come home, then he pointed out how it was stupid to alienate these nations which Iraq owes significant debts. Because if Iraq is to survive as a democracy, these debts will have to be forgiven by these nations and one of the best ways to make that happen is the allow them to get rebuilding contracts in Iraq.

Then Dean asked if anybody knew the real reason these other nations were blocked from the contracting process. Someone in the audience yelled out Halliburton. Dean said, yep he’s got it, and leaned down into the crowd with the mic and asked the person to repeat it so everybody could hear. When the person said Halliburton again the crowd just exploded in applause, it was clear they were very happy to see Dean focusing on this.



Dean then explained about the fact Cheney was CEO of, and is still getting money from, Halliburton while the get massive no-bid contracts. Because, “This is the president of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations!”

There were a lot of teachers in the crowd… so Dean talked about no child left behind, and how he was disappointed so many dems voted for it. He spoke about how we can not beat Bush by voting for the Iraqi war because we’re afraid of being called unpatriotic, or by voting for some of Bush’s tax cuts, or by voting for no child left behind.



Then Dean asked, “Do you know how we’re going to Beat Bush?” And someone yelled out “KICK HIS ASS!” Dean laughed and responded to the guy by saying he’d like to say that but it wouldn’t be very politic to say that with NBC’s cameras right here, and he pointed out the NBC camera man in the front of the crowd. Dean wrapped up by saying that we will stop apologizing for being democrats, we’ll focus on the base, and we will show those people who do not vote because they think there is no difference between the democratic and republican parties, that we do stand for something and we’ll get them to the polls. Dean brought the house down with his close and it was great.






Then Big Bad Voodoo Daddies were up, and the whole band had on Dean buttons… and they started with the song “Go Daddy’O” but changed it to “Go Howard Dean!” It was a lot of fun.

Especially for the pictures. Glad you were there.

Great photos!

:-)

Gee that joint was jumpin'. Who was the photog?

There are more here...

www.geocities.com/theliberalmedia/dean.htm

For another excellent report on Dean's House of Blues event, see wtmusic's thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=919849

Thanks so much for these pictures and report! :yourock: B-)

and your summary of his speech, as well as the photos, are great. I think you would have mentioned this if it happened, but I'll ask anyway -- did you get to meet him?

Those pictures were fab - are you a photographer?

On edit: didn't read the posts, sorry, great work on the fotos

since that last time I saw him.

This is presidential?

Okay. I LOVE Howard Dean's candidacy. I have a Dean sticker, I'm Dean-linked. BUT.. would someone from the Dean "front office" tell him to stop wearing the damn white shirt and tie to EVERYTHING??? HOB is the hippest of hip.. the Folksmen, the Bangles? And Howard in that darn Wall Street/Good Doctor outfit. I know he's an active man, in an active family, and that he does dress casually. It would be great to see him loosen up a bit for events like that. You want to look like a candidate and all presidential and everything, but even a long sleeve polo shirt with khakis would have been a bit more appropriate for that crowd. Mix it up a bit Howard! B-)

I would have loved to have been there! What a cool event!

I got to meet Zephyr Teachout last night at a downtown NYC bar, but I would've preferred to be at the House of Blues.

It was such a great evening. Too bad you missed the Bangles. They kicked ass! The crowd was fabulous! the air was charged with enthusiasm. Dean was so wonderful......he speaks from the heart and really knows what he's talking about. He's REAL and authentic. This man does NOT need teleprompters....unlike certain morons we won't mention....Dean rattles off stats and information and even responds to things yelled by audience members. He actually cares about this country and the rest of the world. I'm so glad I went and I'm honored to have met the famous TLM! I met several wonderful people. If anything, I'm even more inspired to work my ass off for Dean!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wrapped it all up and that was so much fun. Dean supporters are GREAT dancers!!! WOW! What a great night!!!

Thanks again for the super pictures. :)