Howard Dean will become the second Democratic presidential candidate to visit East Lansing when he speaks at 11:30 a.m. today in the Kellogg Center.
The strong scent of permanent marker hung in the air Wednesday night as supporters of Dean gathered in the auditorium of the center, drafting signs to welcome the former Vermont governor to campus.
About 15 supporters, mainly comprised of MSU Students for Dean members, met to plaster official campaign signs around the auditorium while making a few of their own.
Molly Messinger took a break from coloring a green and purple sign reading "The Dr. is In" to explain why she supports Dean.
"I really agree with his stance on the issues," the interdisciplinary studies in social science junior said. "Him coming here is a huge indicator that he cares about delivering his message."
Messinger added that she has not been disheartened by Dean's second-place finish behind U.S. Sen. John Kerry in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday.
"I think a lot of people put too much emphasis on New Hampshire," she said. "It's still anybody's game."
Not far from Messinger, Sally Wallace sat with her two sons, Michael, 15, and Carlos, 11, making a sign of her own: "Hockey Moms For Howard." The 43-year-old Okemos resident had learned about the preparatory event through the Lansing Dean Office, where she volunteers.
Wallace joked that her affinity for Dean had rubbed off on her sons.
"I caught Michael watching Dean on C-SPAN the other day," she said, smiling. "One good thing that's come out of this is one degree of political sophistication for him."
But not all Democrats are as enthusiastic about Dean.
Dan Buttrey, coordinator of MSU Students for John Edwards, said he feels Dean doesn't have a sturdy chance of beating President Bush in the November general election.
"He doesn't appeal to me," Buttrey said. "Edwards' policies have been more detailed, and I think the way he communicates with people is better for a general election."
Dean originally was scheduled to visit MSU in October, but staffers of his Lansing campaign office said he had to cancel due to schedule conflicts.
The only other Democratic presidential candidate to visit East Lansing is Dennis Kucinich, who spoke at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, in December.
There are no set dates for other Democratic candidates to visit the area, but according to campaign spokespeople, Kerry, U.S. Sen. John Edwards and retired Gen. Wesley Clark are expected to make stops in Michigan before the Democratic caucuses on Feb. 7.
Although Dean will be speaking during a popular class time, some of his student supporters have not been dissuaded. Many said they're skipping class today to see Dean on campus.
International relations junior Michael Griffith even made up a doctor's note for Dean, a former physician, to sign. It declared that Griffith is "sick of the Bush Administration" and read "prescription: Take our country back."
Staff writer Alessa Thomas contributed to this report.
Dirk VanderHart can be reached at vande227@msu.edu.
