"One year to go: DNC will focus on Iraq in '08, Dean says in Denver"

Rocky Mountain News (CO):

The war in Iraq will be a major issue during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, DNC chairman Howard Dean told several hundred people at the west entrance to the Pepsi Center this afternoon.

"Every single one of the Republicans running for president thinks we ought to stay in Iraq, maybe for as long as 50 years," said Dean. "Every Democrat thinks we ought not to be there."

The gathering was held to mark the one-year countdown to the 2008 convention.

"The road to the White House goes through the west. That's why we're in Denver," Dean told the crowd. "We can win these states, but we have to work hard to do so."

Dean appeared with Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Denver 2008 host committee president Elbra Wedgeworth. Congressman Ed Perlmuter and much of the Democratic leadership in the state legislature also attended.

Dean said the Democrats would be seeking volunteers to help with the convention and will sponsor a series of forums this fall to begin reaching out to the community.