By Matthew Chavez
Daily Lobo
Howard Dean rallied enthusiastic supporters at the fairgrounds Friday night with a theme that has been central to his campaign for president - the empowerment of the American public.
Following energized introductions from Mayor Martin Chavez, Gov. Bill Richardson and former New Mexico Gov. Tony Anaya among others, Dean took the stage with a roar of applause urging him on.
Starting the night with what has been his campaign's unifying message, Dean assured the crowd he will stand up for the American public when nobody else will and fulfill his stated objectives if elected to the presidency.
"The biggest lie told by people like me to people like you at election time is, 'If you vote for me, I'm going to solve all your problems,'" Dean said. The truth, he continued, is "that the power to change this country is in your hands."
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What sets him apart from his opponents, Dean said, is he will defend the interests of ordinary Americans.
"Every one of these guys - and the president is the worst offender - is raising most of their money from people who write them $1,000 and $2,000 checks," he said. "If you make me president of the United States, I won't owe anybody but you."
Dean's remarks emphasized what he said were exemplary decisions during his terms as Vermont Governor when he says he fulfilled his election-time promises despite the political costs. He contrasted those moments with what he called the "nonsense" of candidates who make promises that later go unfulfilled.
"We cannot continue to have politicians in this country who promise everything and then forget about it after the election," Dean told the audience of more than 400 supporters.
He attributed the source of widespread voter apathy - more than half of all Americans decline to vote in national elections - to public distrust resulting from politicians who make excessive promises aiming to strengthen their candidacy.
"These guys talk about balancing the budget," Dean said. "They've never done it. These guys talk about delivering health care - they've never done it. But in my state, everyone under 18 has health care."
In addition to his Democratic opponents, the public should look skeptically at President Bush's promises, Dean said.
"Not one Republican president has balanced the budget in 34 years - you cannot trust right-wing Republicans with your money," he said.
When asked how his plans for university students differ from his opponents, Dean said, "First of all, I keep my word - I don't just promise them things at election time. Second of all, I'll balance the budget, which means they won't inherit all that debt. Third of all, I have a renewable energy plan that works. And fourth, I have a college tuition plan that gives (students) $10,000 a year for four years in grants and loans where they never pay more than 10 percent a year for 10 years to pay the loan back."
