As campaigning for the 2004 presidential election moves forward, a group of Penn students are doing all they can to help Howard Dean get the Democratic nomination.
Penn for Dean, a chapter of Generation Dean, a national group of student supporters, held its first meeting of the year last night, attracting approximately 25 people. The group was founded last year by College sophomore Conor Lamb.
Dean, Vermont's former governor and one of 10 Democrats who hope to be on next year's presidential ballot, is currently a frontrunner in the race.
His group of supporters at Penn say they hope to help ensure his popularity on Penn's campus, as well as Philadelphia.
We hope to "make the Philly region Dean country," Lamb said.
The students plan on doing this by participating in a number of events, including this Saturday's city-wide "College Day on the Parkway."
Members of the group, working side by side with Philly for Dean, will "be out there, handing out literature and promoting Dean," said College senior Cristen Butler, who interned with Dean this summer in Vermont.
Next Thursday, the group will also go on a bus trip to New York to a pre-debate rally. This trip is organized by Philly for Dean and is a "great way to get in contact" with other supporters, said Lamb.
Throughout the semester, Penn for Dean will also participate in "meet-ups," which occur the first Wednesday of every month. Organized by Philly for Dean, at least one of these meetings of supporters will be held at Penn.
Penn for Dean also has fall break plans that are a little different from most students. The group plans to carpool to New Hampshire and participate in "door-to-door" campaigning for Dean.
In addition, the group will also be working with the College Democrats in order to reach and impact the largest number of people possible, including students at St. Joseph's, Temple and Drexel universities.
College junior and College Democrats President Richard Eisenberg said that his organization hopes to help form groups in support of each of the Democratic presidential candidates. Thus far, though, Penn for Dean is the only one that has been established.
Lamb said he is optimistic about the group and Dean's campaign.
After campaigning all summer it is "looking a lot more realistic... that he has a chance at the nomination," Lamb said.
"A lot of people are getting involved who have never been involved in politics before," Lamb added. "That's why Dean is doing so well."
He noted the "excitement that [Dean] brings to the campaign" and his "in your face" personality.
"I just think he brings a lot of new ideas and a new way of campaigning," Lamb added.
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