Howard Dean told supporters, “We are not done,” despite placing a distant third in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday.
Trailing far behind both Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) and Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), Dean won only 18 percent of the votes in Wisconsin. He did not capture the majority of the student vote either.
“I know some of you are disappointed because we did not do what we had hoped we would do in Wisconsin,” Dean said to a packed crowd of supporters at the Concourse Hotel at his campaign’s return party.
Dean, however, argued that those who joined his fight to change the Democratic Party must “never give up,” regardless of his winless campaign’s most disappointing setback yet.
“You have already written the Democratic Party platform,” Dean said, telling his campaign’s supporters they have changed America’s political culture. “Finally, Democrats in Washington realize they can stand up to the most right-wing president [of] my lifetime.”
Dean now heads back home to Vermont to reassess his campaign strategy after losing in Wisconsin, the state he previously labeled as a must-win for his candidacy.
“He has time in Vermont planned over the next couple days. He is going to meet with his campaign staff and supporters to determine the next step,” said Mike Spahn, Dean’s Wisconsin spokesman.
In his speech, Dean emphasized the work yet to be done in the fight to change the Democratic Party, and said, “The transformation we have wrought is one of convenience not conviction.” The former Vermont governor told supporters they must continue to push Democrats to stand up against President Bush’s policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the war in Iraq.
Dean thanked the crowd for their support in Wisconsin, the state where he poured the greater part of his time and resources over the past two weeks in an attempt to gain momentum into Super Tuesday by a win.
“I want to thank the people of Wisconsin; I have had a really great 10 days here,” Dean said.
To a crowd composed in large part by young voters, Dean also emphasized the effect young people had on his campaign, saying one-fourth of his financial donors were under the age of 30. Wisconsin Attorney General and chair of Dean’s Wisconsin campaign Peggy Lautenschlager said Dean should be commended for the attention he gave to the student vote.
“[Dean] is a man who has embraced the youth of America, so they got out to vote tonight,” she said.
UW junior and Dean supporter Ken MacKenzie said he thinks Dean accomplished what he set out to do in the primary race — frame the political discourse of the Democratic Party.
“His effort was not in vain. He framed the issues and policies covered by all the major candidates,” MacKenzie said.
Although Dean’s candidacy is officially still in the running, many of his supporters are beginning to confront the possibility Dean’s days may be numbered.
“I don’t think it would be the right choice to pull out,” UW freshman and Dean supporter Bill Anderson said. “If he pulls out, I’m going Green.”
