Boxer, Dean's spirit take center stage

[stickdog]

http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10669~1899646,00.html

SAN JOSE -- U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and presidential contender Howard Dean -- the former thronged by admiring supporters, the latter locked in a political bloodbath more than a thousand miles away -- seemed the most popular figures at the state Democratic Party's convention Saturday.

"Make no mistake -- the far right is coming after me," Boxer warned delegates, adding she doesn't fear conservative criticisms. And Dean -- busy with last-minute campaigning before Monday night's influential Iowa caucuses -- seemed present in spirit as Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Secretary of State Kevin Shelley announced their endorsements of him, bringing forth a blizzard of "Dean for America" signs from the cheering delegates.

Lockyer castigated what he said are Bush administration attacks upon California: raids on medical marijuana patients and providers, civil rights infringements under the USA Patriot Act, lousy forest policies and so forth. President Bush "needs to have his butt kicked around the block" by a truth-teller, Lockyer said, and that person is Dean.

Shelley said the nomination race is "hotly contested, as it should be," but the best way to beat Bush is to nominate "a fighter, not a follower." Boxer and Dean -- or any other presidential candidate, for that matter -- seemed easy to anoint at Saturday's convention.

[David__77]

1. Glad to see Lockyer endorsing a Democrat!

...after his misguided (to say the least!) endorsement of the current governor.

[Zinnola]

2. Lockyer better endorse Dean

after our Governator out here in CA. I am hoping Boxer will endorse Dean also. She is one of the few Senators I respect and will work for.

[shanti]

3. i don't know what to think about this

lockyer supported the gropenator for governor! :grr:

[hellhathnofury]

4. Lockyer is setting himself up for 06.

Slimey bastard.