Frost went first, and said he felt the primary issue was safety...if folks don't feel we can keep them safe, they won't vote for us, period. His wife is in the service; apparently she's very highly ranked. He then went on to touch on his last senate race, and he was defensive on this. He said he chose to fight DeLay, and although he lost, he gave it everything he had. (Frost doesn't seem to believe that running ads portraying him as a better ally to Bush than  Pete Sessions, the republican opposing Frost, might somehow not be such a great qualification for the DNC Chair) Frost said what they all pretty much said- we need a 50 state party, he would be dedicated to the grass roots, and he would be a strong spokesman for the party. Much of his speech he shouted, and I found it irritating. My general impression of him was that he was a bit defensive, and didn't have much presence, or charisma. This is a problem for him, because they  all have fairly similar messages about what they would do as DNC chair.

Next went Webb. He said many of the same things: 50 state strategy, put the DNC members to work, and he touched on diversity of representation. He was well spoken and eloquent, and put the whole package together better than the other candidates, with the exception of Howard Dean.

Which brings me to Dean. I've seen him several times in person, and today for the first time I got to meet him in person. He looked wonderful, relaxed and cheerful. His speech was by far the best today. The past two years have matured him, and he really brings it all; charm, humor, charisma as well as intelligence and a real understanding of what needs to be done. He was the only one who I felt gave real details of what he would do as chair. Best remark of the day went to Dean, when he said that the party had to stop using the Northeast as an "ATM for the party". Dean said we need to be people of conviction, and that having deep convictions and fighting for them was what this party needed to do. He was the most well received all around today, although all candidates had supporters (well, except for Roemer, but I'll get to him later).

Rosenberg was up next. He was good, made many excellent points, and pushed the point that he could build a national coalition (unlike Dean, I guess he was inferring). Simon was quite good, and has a very bright future ahead of him, but I personally felt he's not ready for prime time, yet. I have no doubt, though, that he has a very bright future in this party ahead of him. He really is everybody's favorite second choice.

Donnie Fowler was next up. This boy was fiery! He blasted the DNC, saying it seemed to mean "Do Not Change" when it should mean "Do Not Concede". He gave a real red meat speech, and I really liked what he had to say about democrats being "a party with a soul". To me, though, he's just not ready yet for the national stage. He needs more experience under his belt, but like Simon, he's a guy with a very bright future.

Leland spoke next. His pitch was that he didn't want to be the star (the "Randy Johnson", as he put it), he just wanted to be the manager (a la Joe Torre). My initial reaction was that this guy would be eaten alive by the Repubs. I just don't think he's what the party needs from its leader right now.

Lastly we had Roemer. He screwed up royally with this NY crowd when he tried to use his work with the 9/11 commission, telling the story of a 9/11 widow who only found her husbands finger with his wedding ring on. He came off as manipulative and sank like a lead balloon;  no one I spoke to afterward took kindly to his using 9/11 to gain political capital. He also drew boos and hisses when the issue of abortion came up. He said there should not be a litmus test for this party, and said something about special interest groups having too much influence. Roemer was not well received here. That said, he made some good points and has something to offer this party, just not as Chairman.

A question and answer forum followed the speeches, and it was notable only for a few things:  1)Frost was unhappy about being attacked in certain emails (they're blogs, honey) about his re-election campaign ads  2)Fowler shot back, saying when he plays basketball with his friends, they all play tough- they get fouls and sometimes they even draw blood, but when the game is over, they shake hands and stay friends (in other words, grow up Marty- this is a rough game!)  3)Roemer slammed those who don't want him to run due to his abortion position, saying we have a big tent and we need to allow people to have differences of opinion.

Dean seems to be the clear favorite, but as history teaches us- it ain't over `till the votings over. I love Dean, and he showed me again why he's my hero, but some of the other candidates impressed me too- and as Martha would say, that's a good thing.