enlarge Jack Milton/Staff Photographer

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks at a Portland rally Thursday, July 10, 2008.

Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, led a rally in Portland on Thursday aimed at encouraging all Democrats, especially young voters, to participate in the general election in November.

Dean, a 2004 presidential candidate, said this year's election will be pivotal, not just in Maine, but for the nation.

Several state Democratic candidates, including 1st Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree, attended Thursday's rally, which was held at One Longfellow Square, an arts and banquet venue at Congress and State streets.

"This country is ready for change, a big, big change," Dean told a gathering of roughly 100 people. "(Republican nominee) John McCain represents the policies of the past."

Dean called on Democrats to get out and vote.

Voter apathy could lead to defeat in November, he said. Young voters could swing the election in the Democrat's favor, he said.

Dean cited the war in Iraq and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's pledge to bring troops home in 16 months. Dean said Republicans would keep those troops in the Middle East for years, possibly decades.

"We need our troops to come home because we need that money here at home," Dean said.

Maine's Republican Party responded to Dean's appearance with a prepared statement.

Party Chairman Mark Ellis said, "Mainers want to hear from Howard Dean and Chellie Pingree why they support candidates like Barack Obama, who voted for tax increases nearly 100 times during his short tenure in the U.S. Senate, supports a tax increase on Maine families making as little as $32,000 a year, and has no real solutions for our nation's current energy crisis."

Ellis added, "Obama's costly policies will crush Maine families and Maine small businesses trying to make ends meet in these tough economic times."

Officials with the Maine Democratic Party said Dean is scheduled to spend today in Maine.

Democratic Party spokesman Arden Manning said Dean will kick off a voter registration drive in Waterville at 9 a.m. before traveling to Lewiston's Kennedy Park neighborhood.

Blair Latoff, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, in an e-mailed response, said, "Howard Dean's screaming rants are sadly typical of the old-style politics that Barack Obama's surrogates are pushing on the American people.

"If Barack Obama could stay committed to a policy position long enough for Howard Dean to rant about his own candidate, he probably wouldn't be forced to constantly mislead voters about John McCain's honorable service."

Dean also urged Democrats to knock on the doors of at least 25 neighbors.

He said that face-to-face interaction could encourage undecided voters to vote for Democratic candidates.

Dean said the next president "must restore the moral authority and credibility of America in the world This country lost its moral authority during the George Bush presidency."

Pingree welcomed Dean's appearance.

"It's a way of building some enthusiasm particularly when a lot of people are on vacation," she said.

"Despite the summer doldrums and heat, the campaigns are starting early this year," added Democrat Janet Mills, a state representative from Farmington.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com