Past events | Speakers
Governor Howard Dean – February 17th
We are pleased to invite TCG sponsors and their guests only for an opportunity to meet Governor Howard Dean for lunch February 17, 12:15-2:00 about “Issues and Trends influencing US Governance and Politics in the New Year.”
The doctor and former six-term Governor of Vermont burst on the national scene as a candidate for President in 2004 channeling early opposition to the war in Iraq and a new type of populism. Although he ultimately lost the Democratic nomination, he pioneered grassroots outreach and fundraising through the internet. Dean went on to serve as Chairman of the Democratic Party and continue grassroots organizing through Democracy for America. Dean’s frank and experienced voice will provide candor and insight about the year ahead in politics. Venue provided with RSVP.
To RSVP, please e-mail rsvp@thecommongood.net, go to our site www.thecommongood.net or phone us at 212−599−7040. If you are not a member of The Common Good and would like information on joining, please e-mail info@thecommongood.net.
ABOUT HOWARD DEAN
Howard Brush Dean III (born November 17, 1948) is an American politician and physician from Vermont. He served six terms as the 79th Governor of Vermont and ran unsuccessfully for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009. Although his U.S. Presidential campaign was unsuccessful, Dean is regarded as a pioneer in raising the profile of Internet-based fundraising and grassroots organizing.
Before entering politics, Dean earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978. Dean was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1982 and was elected lieutenant governor in 1986. Both were part-time positions that enabled him to continue practicing medicine. In 1991, Dean became governor of Vermont when Richard A. Snelling died in office. Dean was subsequently elected to five two-year terms, serving from 1991 to 2003, making him the second longest-serving governor in Vermont history, after Thomas Chittenden (1778–1789 and 1790–1797). Dean served as chairman of the National Governors Association from 1994 to 1995; during his term, Vermont paid off much of its public debt and had a balanced budget 11 times, lowering income taxes twice. Dean also oversaw the expansion of the “Dr. Dynasaur” program, which ensures universal health care for children and pregnant women in the state. He is a noted staunch supporter of universal health care.
An early front-runner for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, Dean denounced the 2003 invasion of Iraq and called on Democrats to oppose the Bush administration. Dean showed fundraising ability, and was a pioneer of political fundraising via the Internet; however, he lost the nomination to Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Dean formed the organization Democracy for America and later was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee in February 2005. As chairman of the party, Dean created and employed the 50 State Strategy that attempted to make Democrats competitive in normally conservative states often dismissed in the past as “solid red.” The success of the strategy became apparent after the 2006 midterm elections, where Democrats took back the House and picked up seats in the Senate from normally Republican states such as Missouri and Montana. In the 2008 election, Barack Obama used the 50 state strategy as the backbone of his candidacy.
Dean was named chairman emeritus of the DNC upon his retirement. He was mentioned as a possible candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Surgeon General under the Obama administration. He currently holds no elected office or official position in the Democratic party.
