Burlington, Vermont, June 23, 2003--
Howard Dean announces his candidacy for the presidency with this speech. Six years later, it still holds true.
I believed that, by running for President, I could raise the issues of health care for every American and the need to focus on early childhood development. I wanted to bring those issues to the forefront of the national debate. And I wanted to balance the budget to bring financial stability and jobs back to America.
Most importantly, I have wanted my party to stand up for what we believe in again.
Theodore Roosevelt said it best, "Every special interest is entitled to justice full, fair and complete....but not one is entitled to a vote in Congress, to a voice on the bench or to representation in any public office."
[The president] divides us by gender by attacking a woman's right to make her own health care decisions. And even by attacking young women's right to have the same athletic opportunities that young men do. He divides us by sexual orientation by supporting senators who have slandered gay Americans, and he appeals once again to the worst instincts within us, instead of that which is good in all Americans.
An America where it is not enough for me to want health care for my family but the obligation, and responsibility of every one of us as American citizens to insure that each one of us has health care for our families.
An America where it is not enough to protect my rights under the law but where it is a duty and an obligation for each of us as Americans to make sure every American is equal under the law.
We are the great grassroots campaign of the modern era, built from mouse pads, shoe leather and hope.
You have the power to fulfill Harry Truman's dream and bring health insurance to every American.
You have the power to take our country back.
There's not much I can add about a speech that still stirs me today.
Read it in full here.