Clinton's Supporters Protest, Dean Speaks

The Democratic National Committee's meeting today to resolve the question of Florida and Michigan delegates opened with a call by Chairman Howard Dean for unity and a group of Hillary Clinton supporters demonstrating outside the Washington hotel where the meeting is taking place.

Dean kicked off the high-stakes meeting over the disputed Michigan and Florida primaries Saturday by calling for “healing” and “party unity,” in the wake of a primary campaign season that he said has brought out high emotions, as well as racism and sexism.
Dean said that the protracted contest between Clinton and Barack Obama has made the party and the candidates “much stronger,” but he gave a clear sign that it is time to set aside differences.

“This is not about our candidates. This is not about Barack Obama. This is not about Hillary Clinton. This is about our country,” Dean said. “Over the course of this primary there have been some very tough disagreements and some ugly moments in this campaign.

“Emotions have run very high and heated discussions have led at times to blatant sexist comments, particularly by some members of the media, and blatantly racist remarks. And we know that those comments have no place in our society and certainly no place in our party. … Your actions today will put us back on a course of party unity,” Dean said.

Share |