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Tonight Kevin Conlon hosted a private reception for Chicago area Dean organizers as a thank you with special guest Howard Dean. The event, held at Phil Stefani’s in Chicago, attracted 79 guests including such notables as Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Alderman Joe Moore, Reverend Jim Wall, DuPage Democratic Party Chair Gayl Ferraro, Congressional Candidate and “Dean Dozen” member Christine Cegelis and many others.

While there I spoke with Debra Shore about an upcoming house party she is holding for Rob Freedman, Democratic candidate for DuPage Clerk of the Circuit Court (I’ll write up the details in an upcoming post). I also got a chance to chat with Robert Baren, State Senator Don Harmon’s Legislative Office Director, and Tom and Merle Tresser of Creative America, among others.

Howard Dean gave a small series of talks that included heavy endorsements of John Kerry, Barack Obama, Christine Cegelis and other members of the Dean Dozen. Dean talked about the energy his presidential campaign created, and its evolution into Democracy For America. He said that the volunteers needed to pace out the tremendous energy that they showed in his presidential run, because our work doesn’t end November 2, but will continue for years. Just as the Republican Party under Gingrich and Rove took a couple decades to ascend to its current dominance, so too Dean suggested we must be in it for the long-haul, though he hoped not quite as long. Dean said the Democratic Party must act as a national party, supporting candidates in southern and western states where Democrats have not done as well lately, and where the Democratic message has not always been well received. He suggested that a staple message of jobs, education and healthcare would play well everywhere, rural and urban, southern and western. Other Democratic issues, even if unpopular, should not be avoided by candidates in these areas, Dean argued, because presenting them is the way to move the country forward through gradual acceptance. While candidates may not win the first or second time, eventually the trinity of jobs, education and healthcare will win over swing and Republican voters when they are faced with the Republican alternatives. The crowd responded enthusiastically to his speech.

Driving back home with Rick Klau I remarked how great everyone looked at the event. I remember most of them looking extremely tired. Rick noticed that Dean had lost weight, and heard that Joe DeCock, a prominent Chicago organizer, was training for a marathon. While it really seems like yesterday we were in the thick of it, the R & R that people have been getting has done them well. We’re in it for the long-haul now, and some R & R is just what the doctor ordered.

If you can spare a few hours, please volunteer your time with a candidate. If you can give $10, $25, or $50 to support candidates, please do it! It’s still about taking back our country, and you get it done one candidate at a time.