HOWARD DEAN SPEAKS

Statement released tonight on statehouse victories in NJ and VA:

"The resounding victories tonight by Jon Corzine and Tim Kaine have sent a powerful message that when Democrats stand up for what we believe in, we win. They showed that the values and priorities of the Democratic Party are the values and priorities of the American people.

"Jon Corzine and Tim Kaine were strong candidates who offered vision and leadership based on the shared values and priorities of the voters of New Jersey and Virginia. They worked hard to earn the trust and the votes of the people in their states by not taking a single vote or voter for granted.

"Also tonight, voters all across the country delivered a resounding message: Americans are tired of the politics of hate and divisiveness, and voted for strong Democratic candidates who offered true leadership for their states and communities. These candidates showed exactly what our party is going to do to stand up and win in 2006."

It will be up to Chairman Dean to build on these successes around this time next year. The special election victories for Ben Chandler and Stephanie Herseth in 2003/early2004 did not translate into Bush's ouster or Congress changing hands, so there are no guarantees.