On the Campaign Trail with Governor Dean

Governor Dean made his way to Toledo, Ohio for a GOTV rally with Ohio Democrats and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. I made the short trip from Columbus to Toledo, to attend the event at a local VFW hall. The event was part rally, part luncheon - with home cooked food scattered alongside a variety of Democratic literature, stickers and doorhangers. The crowd was a mix of young activists and seasoned veterans, all of whom were loudly cheering on the local Democratic candidates. A few children sat on laps of their parents and grandparents, too young to vote, but not too young to proudly display stickers with the Strickland/Fisher, Sherrod Brown or Marcy Katur logos.

Governor Dean was introduced by the Congresswoman, and he spoke about the hard work we had to do over the next 4 days in order to elect a Democratic majority in Congress and in the Senate. He talked about the difference between the two parties and the ugly tactics of the GOP, who work to divide, instead of unite, Americans. Governor Dean proudly talked about the priorities of a Democratic Congress - including passing ethics reform, raising the minimum wage and passing and funding all of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. He also deviated a bit from his speech, and talked for a while about the importance of investing in healthcare for all Americans, focusing specifically on the very youngest children.

After the event Governor Dean was surrounded by the crowd. He talked with them one-on-one and posed for pictures, all the while making sure to encourage every person he spoke with to keep up the hard work as we approach Election Day.

While Governor Dean was busy, I had a chance to briefly talk with one local county Chairman who offered his thanks to the DNC for support the Democratic National Committee has given local Democratic parties. I was happy to hear that he was supportive of the 50-State Strategy, and that our efforts were being felt at the local level, but I quickly told him that no thanks were necessary - because the real hard work was being done by people like him, in county parties all across America. That is where true grassroots politics takes shape, and where people can make the biggest difference. Showing up, talking to everyone - from your neighbors, to your dry cleaner, to the person behind you in the grocery store - and asking for their votes, is the heart of the 50-State Strategy. And the people, like this Chairman and his local Democrats, are the ones who are really doing the hard work that is paying off.

I'm now about an hour north of Toledo, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at one of the Michigan Democratic Party's coordinated campaign offices. Governor Dean will be here shortly to kick-off yet another GOTV event. After sending in this update to the internet team back in DC, I'm going to get on the phones and make some GOTV calls to Michigan voters! With just 4 days left until Election Day, there is no time to waste!

You can do the same thing for your local Democrats. All you have to do is show up at your local campaign office and volunteer!

More from the Michigan rallies later today...

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