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Coffee to Go
Part IV:
These are mostly die-hards who came out on this frigid night, people festooned in Dean buttons, playing "Vote Dean," their own version of "Go Fish," with Howard Dean cards. Among them are a host of excuses why Dean lost Iowa and then tipped over the edge in that concession speech.
"No offense, but the media has blown this so far out of proportion," says student Tamra Bogart, giving the most common explanation.
"I never really understood the caucus," says Elaine Barrett. "Everyone can change their mind at the last minute. How can you ever know who really won?"
"I thought it was wonderful," says Dave Beck about the speech. "He was passionate, enthusiastic. He says what he believes."
Kathleen O'Donnell, also a Dean volunteer, mentions a video circulating among Deanies where the scream is put in context because you can hear how raucous the crowd is. Out in the audience as everyone waits, a new chant is born: "We all scream for Howard Dean."
Dean is energized by the crowd; the hoarseness of last week is gone. He doesn't seem chastened: "We're going to have some fun at the president's expense," he says, his usual opening line, then adds, "but also say what we're going to do instead," his only nod to sobriety. He jokes about the concession speech, performing a mock-stuffy version, buttoning his coat as he talks.
By the end he is getting applause for lines clearly not meant as applause lines: "We want to globalize the rights of working people." He ends on his usual message of empowerment: "People say, 'We believe in you, Howard Dean,' but I don't want you to believe in me; I want you to believe in yourselves."
After the speech O'Donnell is elated. "The tide is turning for Dean," she says. "I think he's back on top."
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