DFA Training with Howard Dean (pictures)

DFA does some wonderful things, and their training just rocks. They were in Kansas this weekend. And Howard Dean was the special speaker at lunch yesterday.













After an invigorating morning, Dr Dean came in to a standing ovation. He had a lot of wonderful things to say, especially about campaigning. He said the GOP runs better campaigns, because they are able to march lockstep. But the Democrats govern better, because they don't march lockstep. Democrats care more about the people, who are the government.



Dr Dean said the way to frame the GOP is to remind voters that the GOP complains a lot but we need to ask them what they have done. They tear down government, while Democrats build it up.



Then he talked about the fringe issues, like gay marriage. He said the Republicans aren't interested in banning gay marriage. He knows that because he had just gone through the 'Larry Craig Memorial Bathroom' in the Minneapolis Airport.

:rofl:

He also said the Republicans will never remind anyone that the first American soldier wounded in Iraq was a gay man.

He called the GOP focus on gay marriage and abortion the Slobodan Milošević approach to politics because they are asking voters to vote on hate and anger. It backfired on Milošević and it will eventually backfire on Republicans.



When it was time to ask questions, someone asked him about holding the previous administration accountable for torture and war crimes. Dean said he thought Obama was right to not pursue war crimes because that would have made him look vengeful. But Dean thinks accountability is important and Obama should have appointed a special prosecutor. Dean's choice would be Fitzpatrick.

I asked him about Obama's education policies and reported that here -> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=219x23786

Then our KS Young Dems asked Dr Dean to draw the winning raffle ticket for their fundraiser. The prize was a framed copy of the front page of the NY Times the day following the November, 2008 election. It was signed by both Barack and Michelle Obama.



This is our awesome YD President Colin Curtis and Dr Dean:







If you have the chance to attend DFA training I would highly recommend it. It's an intense weekend but just packed with great information for anyone who is interested in running for office or working on a campaign.

Here is more info on DFA training -> http://www.democracyforamerica.com/training

The one slide lists the date as April 18, 2008. Oops?

And thought, what the hell was Howard Dean doing there?

:D

He is just amazing.

Thanks for sharing