FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington played host to the Democratic National Committee’s chairman Wednesday evening, in an event hosted by the UMF College Democrats.
Nearly 300 people were on hand to hear a 30 minute speech by Chairman Howard Dean, filling the room to capacity 30 minutes before even the first speaker approached the podium in the Lincoln Auditorium. Also on hand were numerous local democratic candidates for state legislature seats as well as a surprise visitor, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
“This is a generational change,” Dean told the audience, reminding them of President John F. Kennedy’s famous “passing the torch” inauguration address. “You are the next generation.”
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Dean served as the governor of Vermont and was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in 2004. He has served as the DNC chairman since 2005.
The rally comes a day before an “Early Vote” event at the campus. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a van will be available outside of the Student Union to pick up students interested in voting and take them to the Farmington Town Office, on the Farmington Falls Road. Dean stressed early voting as a good choice for students who may be too busy come Nov. 4.
“Early voting matters a lot,” Dean said, “that way if you have a quiz or an exam or need to work a double shift you’ll be all set. We’d really like you to drive down and vote early.”
“Or walk,” someone in the back of the audience called out.
“That’s even better,” Dean responded.
Dean spoke in length about what he saw as the three major differences between presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. McCain’s policies, Dean said, on the economy, the war in Iraq and on health care were all wrong.
“We cannot afford four more years of Bush/McCain economics,” Dean told the crowd.
Dean also went beyond the current race, telling students that one of his generation’s biggest mistakes was not continuing to involve themselves in politics. Involvement, he noted, went beyond voting.
“Voting gets you a ‘D’,” Dean said, “that’s barely passing. To get an ‘A’ you have to run for office. Not for governor or for congress, but for your local board of selectmen. Or help support someone else who is running. Work as a community organizer.”
“Take a little time out of your day and help out in your community.”
Allen, who is running against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, also addressed the audience before Dean arrived.
“In the last two years,” Allen said, “I’ve been across this state meeting people who are desperate for change. The question is are you ready for change? Are you ready?”
Allen attempted to tie Collins to President George W. Bush’s administration, saying he was running because he “couldn’t stand what was going on in Washington.” He cited the war in Iraq and the administration’s tax policy as examples.
He also specifically discussed an advertisement Collins’ campaign has been running recently, as he has elsewhere over the past few days. The advertisement, which touts Collins’ perfect voting record and Allen’s missed votes, was called “over-the-top, petty, ugly and offensive” by Allen.
He noted that he had a 98 percent attendance record, and that he had missed several votes due to the deaths of his parents and his wife’s cancer treatments.
“I make no apologies for standing by my family when they need me,” Allen said.
Allen ended by talking about his grandson, Charlie, noting that the boy could theoretically live to see the 22nd Century.
“He makes the future concrete to me,” Allen said.
