One of the hottest topics now seems to be "the downfall of Dean." Whenever I mention to someone that I worked on the campaign, they immediately try to engage me in a conversation about why he lost. Why the initial popularity? Why did they end up voting for Kerry in the end? Everything from looks to rhetoric to wives is debated. People generally spend half of these conversations talking about the bias of the media and the lack of responsiveness of both the Republican and Democratic parties to citizens. Gloom prevails.
I have a different perspective. I spent the day of the Wisconsin primary phone banking Wisconsin voters. My job was to convince undecided voters to vote for Dean and agree to spread the word that Dean is the best man for the job. Most people didn't want to talk for very long, but I came across an occasional few who wanted to chat about the problems affecting them as middle-class, hard working Americans. I addressed their problems by proving to them that Dean would take a strong stance on the issues of particular importance to them. Much to my surprise, I convinced some people to vote for Dean.
So it's over, yet it's not over. My first Democratic hopeful is not going to win the nomination, but his message has started a grassroots movement. Dean For America will be active for a long time.
