Presidential hopeful and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean became the first Democratic presidential candidate to campaign in Madison for the November 2004 election Sunday.
The rally, which was part of Dean's four-day, seven-city \Raise the Roots"" tour, was designed to ""engage and empower young Americans,"" an image that was supported by several thousand students and adults who turned out to listen to Dean's speech in front of the Kohl Center.
Dean began his speech by thanking everyone who had brought non-perishable food items to the rally.
According to Dean, the non-perishable food items were being sent to families of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 538 members who had been on strike against the Tyson Food plant since Feb. 28.
Dean continued his speech by speaking to ""Generation Dean,"" which he described as people between the ages of 18 and 30 who were going to be the next generation to inherit ""a failing economy and the largest deficit in history.""
The former governor also spoke about the rising deficit, large corporations, early prevention for children in high-risk situations, the environment, plans for universal health care and the war in Iraq.
""Universal health insurance should be available to every man, woman and child. There should be no more second-class citizens in the U.S.,"" Dean said.
According to a volunteer at the rally, Dean's stance on health care brought her onto his bandwagon.
""I just want a change in leadership, and Dean will provide this,"" another volunteer said.
Dean's stance on the war in Iraq drew much of the attention to the rally. Dean attacked Bush for purportedly lying about Iraq's involvement with Sept. 11.
""I am prepared to send troops anywhere on the planet if they threaten America, but I will never send our troops without telling the truth about why we are going,"" he said.
However, some skeptics in the crowd questioned Dean's motives.
""Dean is tapping into anti-Bush feelings, but he has said that he wants to send more troops to Iraq,"" said Kevin Prosen, International Socialist Organization member. ""He also claims to be a supporter of local businesses, yet he openly supports the [World Trade Organization]. He's full of contradictions.""
A group of about 10 UW-Madison College Republicans touted protest signs in favor of Bush.
