Dreamy Dean.

Last night I watched a documentary special on HBO titled "Diary of a Political Tourist." http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/diaryofapoliticaltourist/
It was fantastic! I highly recommending Tivo-ing it, now! However, it reminded me of my last two years of bopping in and out of political activities where I fell in love with the idea of Howard Dean. I now feel the need for another Dean scream. It began about two years ago, or so, when I attended an event at the house of a friend out in Weston where I first met Howard Dean. His speech had me hooked. I believed in him and I still do. (My messenger bag still has his button, and my winter hat, is still for Dean). I wish I could write him in, and I would, if it wasn't so damn close...fuck! Anyway, after this event, I attended a bunch more (thanks to Tom, a great supporter) in various places throughout MA and New England. I remember the real beginning of this political season, way back in January, right before the primaries where I went with some people to rural NH (or Concord, rural enough, ha) to do some foot work for him. Tom and I along with some others went door to door trying to get votes for Dean, talking to people, leaving pamphlets everywhere. But the most fun was standing in the middle of town with a huge number of people holding signs in the freezing cold and screaming for Dean. At this point, John Kerry seemed like a total loser and basically had no following. It seemed like NH (and the primary) was a piece of cake. Even though we had to take 20 minute breaks in a warm car, it was one of the most exciting things I have done in the last year. I felt like I was a part of the American system, even though it is deeply flawed. I blame the media among others. That night, after a dinner with Dean and his main supporters and campaign leaders, Tom and I drove down to Manchester (our sleeveless shirts covered in Dean stickers) to go out to a gay bar to get more support for Dean. It worked, or so we thought. After watching this documentary last night, I cried. Yes, I cried. I remembered how great it felt to believe in someone or something. Dean was my dream candidate and still is. (I think Kerry is good and electable but not dreamy). Everyone that I knew loved him, and still does. But looking back upon it all has left a tear in my eye. I still wonder why a great candidate like him with as much money as he had (more than Kerry for a long period of time), with more support than any other candidates, and more buzz; how it was all lost. I hope in my future I can feel this again. For a candidate and for my country. And just look at this picture of him when he was young. Come on people!