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[arcos]

In Dean, some backers see hope for Texas' ailing Democratic Party

Dean's grass roots growing in Texas

On a Saturday morning in April, Glen Maxey, based at a folding table stocked with Howard Dean campaign materials, worked the hallway near the hotel conference room where the State Democratic Executive Committee was meeting.

On that day, long before Dean's campaign became the buzz of the presidential race, Maxey had the twinkling eye of a man convinced he was on the leading edge of a wave.

The next step for Maxey was convincing other folks.

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Win or lose -- Clinton or Dukakis -- Maxey sees Dean as a no-lose candidate for Texas Democrats.

"This is the real thing," Maxey said. "The kicker for me about Howard Dean is, I want to see the Democratic Party revived in Texas. What I see in Howard Dean is a catalyst for reviving an institution.

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http://www.statesman.com/asection/content/auto/epaper/editions/monday/news_f3943b9f374352670099.html