What we stand for:

· Real sec= urity -- we will protect Americans at home by getting serious about homeland secu= rity, and address the real threats abroad by capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and focusing on actual (not imagined) nuclear proliferation. We w= ill be prepared for the threats of tomorrow, and we will always tell the truth = to our troops and the American people.

· Honest leadership and open government -- we will end t= he criminal Republican culture of corruption and restore a sense of responsibi= lity to elected office, and we will pass fundamental reforms that make government more honest, open, and accountable to the American people than ever before.=

· Economic prosperity and educational excellence -- we will keep good jobs from leaving and ensure that every job in America= is a fair deal. We will balance the budget, ensure that the tax code is simple and fa= ir, and invest in education to ensure that every American has an equal opportun= ity to succeed.

· A health care system that works for everyone -- we wil= l join every other industrialized country by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care. We will change a corrupt, inefficient system into o= ne that makes sure the world's wealthiest country is also the healthiest.

· Energy independence -- we will reduce our reliance on foreign oil by investing in cleaner and more efficient technology. We will treat energy independence as what it is -- not only a conservation issue, but an economic and national security issue.

· Retireme= nt security -- we will strengthen Social Security and make sure that a retirem= ent with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American.

When Republicans engage in spinning, distracting, distorting and dividing us, do= n't be fooled.
You know the reality. When Republicans hurl insults and lies, we must be re= ady to stand up and speak the truth in response -- and to make sure our friends= and neighbors are not afraid to do the same.

We cannot= sit back and let them attack us and the values and ideals we hold dear. That's why we are investing millio= ns of dollars and countless volunteer hours to build the Democratic Party.
We're building a year-round, 50-state party capable of winning elections for every level of office. Buildi= ng our party everywhere isn't only about electing more Democrats. It's about bring= ing people back into the political process and ensuring that we have at least o= ne political party representative of, and responsible to, the people.

These are= not short-term investments, and we will only create lasting change if every sin= gle one of us takes responsibility for speaking out and organizing in our local community. =

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.