A diverse group of community members-jeans-clad teenage activists mingling with top county and state Democratic officials-gathered in Durham Tuesday night to hear Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean speak.
"We will stand together to make sure this country works for all of us," Dean said in his speech, addressing a number of major national issues, from the continuing energy crisis to a need for better health care.
The former Vermont governor and 2004 presidential hopeful made appearances at two downtown Durham restaurants, Satisfaction and Devine's, in front of packed crowds.
In a visit timed with President George W. Bush's annual State of the Union address, Dean came to the Bull City to galvanize local support among party members and speak out against aspects of the Republican administration.
"Clearly, I think that Dean understands that N.C. is a critical swing state," said Jerry Meek, Trinity '93 and chair of the state Democratic party. "I think his presence here today and tomorrow morning will rally Democrats and get them working to ensure success this November."
Although Satisfaction's limited space only allowed approximately 250 occupants, several Duke students were present to hear Dean's speech and provide their support for the rally.
Ben Stark, a law student and co-chair of Duke Law Democrats, was at the event to encourage attendants to register to vote.
"We heard a call-up to volunteer," he said. "And so we did."
Also volunteering at the rally, law student Paige Berges said she thought Dean had a particularly strong appeal to young voters.
"He was so popular with the college-age, under-25 crowd," she said, referring to Dean's bid for the White House. "I think it's really good, especially in a college town, to get people out here."
Dean criticized Bush's handling of healthcare and spoke strongly for a national health plan. In addition, the former governor criticized the newly appointed Supreme Court justices and called for campaign finance reform and a more efficient public education system.
Religion and moral values were also topics in Dean's remarks-demonstrative of the Democratic party's broader push to address the issue of "morality" that many voters listed as their number-one concern in the 2004 national elections.
"We will stand-up for values," Dean said. "We are all in this together."
In honor of both the recent death of Coretta Scott King and the 46th anniversary of the famous Woolworth's sit-ins in nearby Greensboro, N.C., Dean encouraged all citizens, young and old, to live in the memory of Civil Rights-era activists by getting involved in issues they care about.
"I don't care if you're 22 years old," he said. "We need you to run for office."
Although he was clearly among supporters, Dean did draw a couple of boos-when he mentioned that his brother was an alumnus of Duke's Tobacco Road neighbor, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"That's a bad thing to say when you're in Durham," he said jokingly.
Overall, however, audience members showed great enthusiasm toward Dean's remarks.
Susan Bayles, chair of the Democratic party in municipal Precinct 36, said she believed the good turnout was indicative of the increasing strength of the Democratic party in the area.
"I mean, out of the entire country, [Dean] picked Durham County," she said. "That's pretty impressive."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.