Democrats are reaching out to the population and urging more people to support and vote for left-wingers as both the state and nationwide elections approach.
This was the message when Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, spoke and met with Memphians at a packed Hunt-Phelan Home on Beale Street.
"Our plan is to restore the Democratic Party and make sure the Democratic Party is ran by you," Dean said. "We want regular Americans to run the Democratic Party."
Dean said Republicans have discarded people with different values and have run the nation with a series of dishonesty and stealing. He said the control should return to the people.
"Individuals and families should be left to make their own decision, not the government," Dean said.
Dean also discussed several declining issues such as the national budget, education, healthcare, foreign policy and the privacy of Americans and criticized Republicans for mishandling all of them.
"We need a balanced budget," he said. "There are 36 countries out there with a balanced budget.
"We ought to learn from them. Not one Republican president has balanced the budget in 40 years."
Dean also said Republicans have gambled away millions of dollars which could have been contributed to education and healthcare.
"Imagine what $50 million would do for Shelby County Schools," he said.
However, Dean said if Democrats were to dominate the White House and Congress, that would be the answer to the nation's conflicts and would restore the power to the people.
"We're going to run this country the way it was supposed to be run," he said.
However, Dean said pointing fingers at Republicans is not enough for a party that has underperformed in the past two elections.
Dean said his main goal was to reach out and grab the people who did not vote and erase any confusion on votes. He also demanded Memphians for a pledge.
"Pledge monthly about $10 or $20 or whatever you can afford. That money will come back," he said. "I want you to reach out and grab the people who didn't vote for us.
"Reject the devices of rhetoric and the things this president has done."
Mike Freeman, an adjunct professor in the department of history, said he has been optimistic about the entire situation.
"I think there is a lot of disenchantment on the statewide and national level," he said. "Dean was right about speaking to the people."
Freeman agreed with the return to a Democratic Congress and said it was in the people's best interest.
"The Tennessee Democratic Party is fighting every single day," said Bob Tuke, the state chairman. "He's (Dean) the personal strength of the party."
