Howard Dean

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington received the endorsement Thursday of Democracy For America, the political group created by Vermont's former governor and current Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean.

"I'm honored to receive the endorsement of Democracy for America which is such a strong force for change in our party and our nation," said Symington of the endorsement.

Check back next week to view my Convention Sketchpads from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

Former Gov. Howard Dean (D) is by far the biggest winner this week. Find out why and see all of this week's Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

Former Gov. Howard Dean at the Democratic National Convention: Getty Images PhotoDENVER - During his speech to the Democratic National Convention at Invesco Field on Thursday night, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean came out swinging against U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), from the very first line of his speech.

Below is a transcript of remarks made by Democratic National Committee chair and former Gov. Howard Dean at the Democratic National Convention Thursday evening, as prepared for delivery. A video is available here.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (D) is scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention again this evening between 7 and 8 p.m. (EST), but this time in front of a much larger audience at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

The fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, with a theme of "Change You Can Believe In."

The final day's events will take place at INVESCO Field at Mile High, where over 70,000 people are expected to attend.

Featured speakers will include Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D), former Vermont Gov. and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean (D), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D), former Vice President Al Gore (D) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D).

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential nominee, is scheduled to address the convention at 10 p.m. EST.

The full schedule is below.

DENVER -- It was a good morning for U.S. Sen. Pat Leahy. At one point he stood in front of a full room of over 100 people gathered for an event in his honor. Next to him Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean was calling him a "true statesman" and "the conscience of the Senate." Leahy was appreciative of the remarks, but he just saw something he definately wanted a picture of.

So he grabbed his camera, leaned behind Dean, who was still speaking, and snapped a picture of fellow Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Grateful Dead member Mickey Hart, and Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken being friendly.

Along with them were some of the biggest names in Vermont and national Democratic politics for his political action committee's fundraiser.

DNC Chair Howard Dean: Getty Images PhotoDENVER - Democratic Committee Chairman Howard Dean starts the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, starts today and finishes August 28th. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)