http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=6906348"Pocatello hosted a special guest Wednesday afternoon at the Idaho Democratic 4th Annual Richard Stallings event.
The event is their major fundraiser and the guest speaker today was Howard Dean.
Dean is the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a former presidential candidate. Last year was a good year for Democrats in Bannock County, winning 11 of 12 contested races last November. With such impressive results, the Democratic National Committee took notice, sending Dean to this fundraiser.
Other than Dean, Democratic office holders in this area also spoke about the importance of Democratic beliefs and held a moment of silence for the two fallen soldiers from Pocatello. Dean focused much of his speech on bringing troops home from Iraq, the national budget, the minimum wage increase, and the extension of a children's health insurance - issues he says affect everyone, all the time - not just around elections.
Howard Dean, DNC Chairman: "We're going to campaign everywhere in Idaho - not just in the counties we think we're going to win, but everywhere, because the truth is the Western values are Democratic values and American values are Democratic values. Our values, our strength. I think the American people know that being strong and tough is not just talking tough at election time and go over to carve a turkey with the troops. It is actually funding things that will make America safer. And in order to defend America, you have to be tough and smart."
This visit was part of Dean's 50-state strategy, where he focuses most of his time trying to convert Republican states. His next stops include Montana and Wyoming."