Packed Durham restaurant for Dean's pre-SOTU gathering..Pics from Tim.

[madfloridian]

More travel blogging from Tim Tagaris from the DNC. He and the Governor are in Durham, NC tonight. Interesting note: Mehlman is in NC tonight as well. Not sure where.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/governor_dean_j.php

"My pictures are uploading as I type, but I wanted to let you know how electric of an event this was at Satisfaction restaurant in North Carolina. From the moment Governor Dean was announced until he lept off the stage to head to the overflow location, the crowd rarely stopped cheering at a positive Democratic message to provide health care for all Americans, access to quality education, energy independence, cleaning out Republican corruption in Washington, D.C. and keeping American jobs in America.

What an amazing evening it has been so far. Hopefully I'll have the photos and video up by the start of the State of the Union so you have something to lift your spirits as the president addresses the nation.

Oh... Immediately after Governor Dean left the stage, the crowd attempted to pour out and head over to the overflow location across the street. Unfortunately for them, that place is filled to capacity already.

Keep checking in."

Filled to capacity, overflowing across the street.


The crowd inside the Satisfaction restaurant.


Jerry Meek, state chairman introduces.


Dean starting speech.

[dsc]

1. I kind of wish I had known he was in Durham

though I would pay bigtime for it tomorrow. I had no idea he was going to be in NC today.

[madfloridian]

2. Sorry, I posted it in the NC forum. He is there tomorrow as well..

but I don't know where.

[dsc]

3. not your fault

I should have looked. Though in reality it would have been a very late night since I get up around 530am and Durham is around a 90 minute trip.

[NCarolinawoman]

4. I read about this in the "RALEIGH NEWS AND OBSERVER".

Wish I could have made it. Looks like there may have not been room anyway.LOL! I will look for this on the local news tonight.

[madfloridian]

5. Should be interesting to see how they present it.

Looks a little crowded there.

[RevCheesehead]

6. Ah, Satisfaction!

I spent many a Wednesday night there with a group of friends after choir practice.

I can't for the life of me imagine 250 people in that place, though.

[Cha]

7. THat's where all the

Beautiful People are tonight! :D Thanks Mad!

[madfloridian]

8. Heartwarming welcome. Video clip..Turn your speakers down.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/governor_dean_i_2.php

Tim is doing a good job of keeping up on things.

It is very brief. I think I heard him say his brother (unintelligible) from the University of North Carolina in 72. Did he say graduated, and wonder if that was Charlie?

[ChiciB1]

9. Thanks For The Info!

[madfloridian]

10. Shaking hands and talking...good pic from Yahoo.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean shakes hands with supporters before speaking prior the president's State of the Union address Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at Devine's Restaurant in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

[Rose Siding]

12. What a great shot.

Thank you :)

[madfloridian]

11. Tim has a post up at Kos just now about the event.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/04917/07055

[madfloridian]

13. I sure am impressed with the NC Democrats. Look at these displays....

that they had up at this event last night. Someone is really on the ball in that state party.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/02/she_wasnt_kiddi.php

"In the entry below this one, Katy mentioned a "large display of materials" they created to help recruit new volunteers.

One thing that helped us in getting our message out last night: we created a large display of materials based on the DNC 50-State Strategy presentation used in last November's national Kick-Off events. We pulled out the heart of the presentation, made a flow chart out of the bottom-up grassroots organizing concept and highlighted some major points. We added in some photos of our volunteers, and some local volunteering needs and highlighted precinct organizing especially since we have our annual precinct meetings coming up. It was a great way to get the word out. We also had volunteers circulating through the crowds all night with clipboards holding either volunter sign-up sheets or voter registration forms. Finally, we hit the idea of Democracy Bonds hard and had plenty of sign-up sheets for them, not to mention lots of tee shirts and water bottles prnmoting the bonds as well.
I happened to snap a few photos of those materials."

Here is one sample of what you can click on to enlarge. This is amazing grassroots effort by the NC Democrats.