Oregon Public Broadcasting

Howard Dean made a quick stop in Oregon Sunday night. April Baer reports.

Four years ago Howard Dean was campaigning for President. This year, he's in a different role, as Democratic party chairman.

Dean urged a crowd of Democratic party volunteers in Portland to work hard to get ballots returned.

Howard Dean: "You know, I think, that the turnout is down in Oregon. You are going to go out and ask people--all of whom have gotten ballots--to make sure they drop those ballots off, because it's a little late for them to mail it."

Dean's been making get-out-the-vote stops all around the country this week. 

As party chairman, he devised a plan to put Democratic volunteers in all fifty states--a break with the party's recent  practice of concentrating resources in the battleground states.

Many observers believe that's part of what has made Barack Obama and other Democrats competitive in the West this year.