Dean visits with lawmakers at Vermont State House. [View All]

[madfloridian]

Dean visits Statehouse to talk with lawmakers

MONTPELIER — Former Gov. Howard Dean returned to Montpelier on Thursday to talk to lawmakers, including some he once served with in the Statehouse when he was a state representative in the 1980s. But Dean, who seems less and less likely to get a job with the administration of President Barack Obama, would say little about his own plans, except that he is considering a variety of options.

Dean spoke at a Statehouse gathering for the 2009 Democracy Awards organized by Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz. He hastened to add that doing so was not an endorsement of Markowitz, who is considering a run for governor in 2010.

"I am neutral between Markowitz and Racine," Dean said. State Sen. Doug Racine, a Democrat like Markowitz, has said he is planning on running for governor. Dean, whose "50 state strategy" has been given some credit nationally for Obama's victory, declined to say what he will do next. But he did compliment Vermont voters and lawmakers.

"This is a great place to live. It is the best run state in the country," he said. "There is no place like Vermont."

Obama's victory is perhaps most important because he is the first president of a new generation, Dean said.

You did good for the party, Howie Dean. Thank you.