Democratic Party National Committee Chairman Howard Dean held a rally at the Majestic Theatre in Madison Tuesday, and said Democrats need to reevaluate how to win elections.

Dean, joined by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke, addressed the November elections and their party’s efforts to ensure Democratic wins at the state and national level.

According to Dean, the efforts of the Democrats need to come from a grassroots level. He encouraged individuals to speak to neighbors and co-workers on the importance of voting for the Democratic Party.

Dean said the Republicans have used such grassroots strategy, along with studies on how to precisely target Republican voters, to win elections for over 15 years. He said the Democratic Party is now taking similar action.

“The Republican Party is completely incompetent in terms of running the country, but they do know how to win elections,” Dean said.

According to Dean, these efforts will increase percentages of voters enough to influence the results in November.

Cieslewicz and Lawton addressed the debate among Democrats between Clinton and Obama. While Cieslewicz supports Obama and Lawton supports Clinton, both said debate is good so long as the party ultimately unites.

“Debate in the Democratic party is a good thing, a healthy thing because it focuses attention among Democrats. This is a good conversation to have as long as in the end, we come together to support our candidate as Democrats,” Cieslewicz said.

Lawton said both Obama and Clinton are strong candidates.

Dean said voters in the country are currently favoring Democrats on issues like the economy and the Iraq War. He said there is a contrast between the two Democratic candidates and Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

“I don’t believe the American people want John McCain as president. The only way that John McCain wins is if we are divided,” Dean said.