Howard Dean, elected to chair the Democratic National Committee this spring, is traveling throughout the United States in an effort to rebuild the local and state Democratic Party structures, particularly in the South and Midwest. Making his way to Wisconsin, Dean stopped in Milwaukee before heading west to Madison, appearing at a Democratic Party fundraiser at the Orpheum Theatre on State Street this evening.

As with all such tours, the focus is on the next round of biennial elections in 2006, in which incumbent Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, and U.S. Senator Herb Kohl are up for reelection, along with all eight U.S. Representatives and the state legislature. Given Doyle's perceived weakness, particularly among the Democratic base in the two cities, one of the major focuses of the fundraiser was to help build excitement for Doyle, sixteen months out from the election.

A description of the fundraiser and photos of Dean's stop at the Orpheum appear below the fold.

Though Dean's appearance focused on the future of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, a major theme touched on by several speakers was the legacy of Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was honored this afternoon at a memorial service in the Capitol Rotunda. Nelson, best known as the founder of Earth Day, passed away on July 3. The name mentioned most often after Nelson was that of Karl Rove, Bush's top advisor who exposed the identity of covert U.S intelligence operative Valerie Plame to the press as political retribution to her husband, Amb. Joseph Wilson.

Joe Wineke, the new chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, opened the event by asking the crowd if any of them attended the memorial service for Sen. Gaylord Nelson earlier in the day. A smattering of hands went up in the audience.

After speaking about Nelson's legacy as a Wisconsin Democrat, Wineke turned to the party's future, arguing that Wisconsin Dems need to go on the offensive. "Karl Rove, if he stays out of jail, doesn't represent us," Wineke said, subsequently listing off John Gard, "Scottie" Walker, Mark Green, and other high profile Wisconsin Republicans as unrepresentative of mainstream Wisconsin values.

Wineke recalled the 1994 elections, in which Democratic candidates were routed nationwide by a resurgent Gingriched GOP, and expressed his hopes for a complementary reversal in 2006. Focusing on the First and Eighth Congressional Districts, Wineke said that they were both very winnable seats for Democratic candidates.

Following Wineke, Second District Democratic Party chair Margaret McIntyre introduced Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, who received a standing ovation.

Lawton invoked Gaylord Nelson's memory as well, and spoke extensively about his legacy promoting conservation. Much of her speech focused on this theme, even when discussing the corner Bush's Brain painted himself into, saying "they might just put Karl Rove on the Endangered Species List."

Lawton subsequently introduced Gov. Doyle, who likewise received a standing ovation.

Like the preceding speakers, Doyle opened by discussing Gaylord Nelson and his legacy. Doyle also defended his record as governor to the audience. "I can make things better by using an extensive veto, perfected by Republican governors; now it's our turn," Doyle said. He was clearly working to bolster enthusiasm amongst the Democratic base for his reelection bid next year.

Before introducing Dean, Doyle closed by returning to Gaylord Nelson, telling the audience about Nelson's work as a state legislator who introduced a bill to desegregate the Wisconsin National Guard after his experiences serving in World War Two.

Doyle's biggest applause line came when he ridiculed the common inability of right-wing pundits and politicians to take criticism the way they dish it out. He mocked their complaints; "oh my God, this isn't fair," he joked, assuming the role of a thin-skinned conservative.

When Doyle introduced Dean, the crowd reacted enthusiastically, cheering loudly as Dean walked to the microphone.

Dean thanked the crowd for attending, mentioning that the turnout was so large that the fundraiser had to be moved from the lobby of the Orpheum to the main theater. Dean guessed that the about 1200 person capacity main floor was two-thirds full.

Moving into his speech, Dean talked about his work trying to build the Democratic Party across the country, noting a stop in Mississippi. He said that the Dems need to fight in all states, particularly in the Mississippis and Kansases, not just in the Wisconsins and Michigans.

An early theme was fiscal responsibility, with Dean stating that the Democratic platform "looks like a 1970s Republican Party platform" with regards to balanced budgets. He emphatically stated one of his regular points – "you can't trust a Republican with your money" – repeating that they "borrow and spend" and "borrow and waste."

Dean also ridiculed Republican pretentions to limited government. "The Republican Party talks about making government just small enough to fit in the bedroom of the nursinghome of Terry Schiavo," he said.

Turd Blossom was not forgotten, either. Dean challenged George Bush on Karl Rove, asking him; "Who do you value more, Mr. President? Do you value intelligence operatives working for the United States, or do you value political operatives from Texas?"

Referring to Bush's pledge two years ago to fire the source of the Plame leak, Dean said, "We will hold you to your word, Mr. President," exclaiming that "honesty in government is a moral value."

Dean addressed Bush and the Republicans' weakness at upholding national security, stating that nukes in North Korea and Iran were a more serious problem than "a third-rate tinpot dictator" in Iraq, that building renewable energy to decrease dependence on foreign oil is essential to security, and that a balanced budget is necessary considering the amount of U.S. debt held by China and Saudi Arabia.

The final portion of Dean's speech focused on "values," the battered concept that's become the biggest ball on the tether in backlash-era American politics. "Our values system is better than the Republican values system," Dean stated. He asserted that "voters are smart, much smarter than Republicans think they are" while discussing the importance of moral values are an issue, particularly among lower-income and rural voters.

"We need to start talking to people who worry about their children, nor from here, but from here," Dean said, pointing from his head to his heart. He stressed that Democratic candidates and activists should refrain from reciting a litany of policy prescriptions in response to voters' concerns. Dean said, "this administration is outstanding at exploiting peoples' fears, and there is no fear more serious than losing control of one's family and children."

Dean exhorted the audience that "we can win as Democrats. We do not need to be like Republicans to do it. The only way we can win is to stand up for what we believe in."

Closing, Dean plugged Doyle again, who walked on to the floor, and together they held up clasped hands before the audience.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk was also present, though she did not address the audience. Falk spoke with Dane101, though, and she shared her thoughts about Dean's stop in Madison. "I was an early Howard Dean supporter, so it's great to have him back in Wisconsin and be the head of the national Democratic Party. One of his great strengths is that he brings people back who have been turned off to politics, and rekindles their hope," Falk said.

Meanwhile, WIBA right-wing talker Vicki McKenna broadcast her show at the State Bar & Grill in the late afternoon and early evening, hosting a Wisconsin GOP-promoted counter-event to Dean's appearance a block down State Street. Attracting a small crowd on the bottom floor of the tavern's five levels, McKenna hosted an event devoted to typically agitated conservative reaction to Dean; scream this, gaffe that. For someone so gleefully presented as detrimental to the prospects of the Democratic Party, however, the fact that various conservative activists expend considerable time and energy caricaturing Dean betrays their concern over his skills as a partisan.

Further coverage of the fundraiser is available from the Wisconsin State Journal and Wispolitics.com.

The photos include: State Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, and Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk converse before the speech; Lawton awaits her introduction; Lawton speaks to fundraiser attendees; Gov. Jim Doyle applauds Lawton preceeding his speech; Doyle speaks to attendees; DNC Chair Howard Dean is introduced; Dean and Doyle at the mic; Dean speaks to attendees (and the clustered media); as seen from stage left, Dean speaks to attendees; Dean surrounded by activists and media following his speech; Dean speaks with a fundraiser attendee; finally, Dean poses post-speech with two fans wearing his 2004 campaign t-shirts. The photo at bottom is WIBA-AM right-wing talker Vicki McKenna (At left) and a couple of Republican activists outside the State Bar & Grill, where she held an on-air counter-event.