Dean Delegate Report

Hi folks, this is Mona Blaber, a New Mexico Dean at-large delegate, back from the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

If you watched on TV, you probably got a good sense of what we felt in the Fleet Center: It was thrilling. The energy, excitement and enthusiasm the convention generated will last a long time in me and most everyone who attended, and hopefully also in people all across the country who were watching.

Many of us feel frustrated at times that the Democratic Party goes too far to the right at the expense of our values, but it was clear in Boston that those who call ourselves "progressives" make up a huge part of the party -- more than we probably realize. The convention was a celebration of the Democratic ideals that mean so much to us: social justice, equal rights and a sense of responsibility for everyone's welfare, not just our own.

Of course, we know that politicians often neglect the thorniest parts of those issues when not speaking to an arena full of Democrats. But there were so many people there from "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" and so much enthusiasm for those issues from all facets of the party that I left with a lot of hope that, if we can help return Congress and the White House to Democrats, many of our progressive causes that have been swept under the rug will see the light of day again.

Dean's Meeting With His Delegates
One important event you didn't see on television was Howard Dean's meeting with his delegates on Monday, the day before his speech to the convention. The convention address, where he got the longest opening ovation of any speaker, was shorter and not as powerful as what he told his delegates.

At that meeting, Howard Dean found the place in our hearts that made us work so passionately for him and inspired us to use that same passion for John Kerry and for every cause we take up.

While many of us former Dean supporters have already moved on to helping Kerry in some capacity, we might be finding it hard to generate the same level of enthusiasm. But by allying himself with Kerry, by telling us that Kerry listens to him and therefore listens to us, by pointing out that Kerry really does represent those basic Democratic ideals we hold so dear and will bring America much closer to those ideals than George Bush ever could want to, Howard Dean activated that enthusiasm and energy in us again. It was an emotional meeting, and I think everyone left excited to work for Kerry -- and for candidates at every level who will listen to us because they care about many of the same things we do and because we used that Dean network and energy to support them.

Many Dean delegates also spoke at that meeting. Several people thanked him for transforming lives and for making people feel that an individual could make a difference again and be part of something meaningful.

We might not have gotten the result we wanted for Howard Dean's campaign, but we did make a huge impact. One of Gov. Dean's greatest contributions was the huge pool of people his candidacy stirred to action. It may take years or just a few months, but that network of people can make a big difference and continue to increase in power. In New Mexico, we're using our networks to help connect former Dean supporters with the issues and candidates they care most about, and we're showing our strength to the local Democratic Party, ACT and other groups and advocacy organizations through our impressive volunteer base.

With each candidate or each issue that succeeds with our help, we increase our voice and influence. Howard Dean remains a representative for the values this group shares, and the strength of our own participation will make clear to everyone how many people care about those values and how hard we will work for them.

What we've done so far is impressive, but our impact and influence as a group can grow and take shape if we continue to work hard together.

That's the message Howard Dean shared with us in Boston, and from everything I witnessed there, I believe he's got a point.

Mona Blaber