MeanDean Targeting North Carolina

In his first major interview since winning the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, Dr. Howard Dean told USA Today that the party needs to target blue voters on economic issues -- "people who certainly aren't being helped by Republican policies." "We need to respect voters in red states who want to vote for us, but we make it hard for them by not listening to what they have to say."

Dean has not been visible since taking over the party. Not quite accurate: he's not been nationally visible, but he's been very busy with the grassroots.

Most crucial for folks like us, he's making grants (totaling so far $465,000) to state party organizations in Missouri, North Dakota, West Virginia, and, yes, North Carolina. That's nice to hear, but let's get on with it! And we hope that money's not going to operatives hired from out of state. Give Watauga County a little of it, and we'll be glad to help train fellow Dems in canvassing and in building a party.

Blue states like North Carolina are going to have a bellyful of Bush economic policies during this Second Term. We'll need really credible candidates as alternatives, naturally. Not just "naturally" but first and foremost.