You can hear the full interview at NPR.
You can read more about Rep. Honda biography and role as DNC Vice Chair on his biography page.

As DNC vice-chair of voter registration and participation, I am honored and humbled to be here sharing this historic moment with you, on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's “I Have a Dream” speech, as we nominate the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

As I look around this arena, I am awed by the incredible diversity of the Democratic Party.

This stadium looks like America.

What impresses me most is that we have all come together, united in our efforts to help Barack Obama and Joe Biden win the White House.

Though this is a celebration of our party and our nominee, let's not forget that there are still millions more that must be registered to vote, thousands of doors to knock on, countless rumors to counter, and most importantly, a country to reclaim.

But our hard work will be rewarded.

When Barack Obama is president and Democrats strengthen our majorities all across the country, we will have three things that we have sorely needed after the past eight miserable years: change, hope, and a great Democrat in the White House.

I stand before you as a woman who has seen how this opportunity can lift people up. And when I see Barack Obama and Joe Biden, I see the same decency and values that my hard-working parents taught me.

I see the wonderful promise of America, and I see the opportunity of a lifetime to bring about the change we need.

I’m a Democrat because I believe in the power of opportunity.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden will fight, so that all Americans can pursue their dreams. And that’s change we can all believe in.

One of my proudest moments was when I received keys to my first classroom. It was high quality public education that allowed this son of strawberry sharecroppers, raised in the Japanese American internment camps of World War II, to grow up to become a Peace Corps volunteer, a Vice Chair of the DNC, and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Education is the gateway to the American dream. Barack knows first-hand that immigrant families – Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, African and others – can attain the American dream through a quality, equitable education, and hard work. Barack's story of promise and opportunity proves that education can be the great equalizer. Sadly, over the past eight years, the misguided Bush/McCain priorities have bled our schools' resources dry, shutting down that gateway to success, and hijacking our children's capacity to achieve the American dream.

We are now at a crossroads. We can either continue on a path of failed policies with John McCain, or, for the change we need, we can elect Barack Obama president. America is in dire need of leadership. Barack knows that education leads to innovation, a critical engine of our economy. His ability and his vision will help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to obtain a quality education. Barack will fight for our children's future.

Rather than burning through billions of dollars on failed foreign policies and an open-ended war, Barack knows that the real war to be fought is for the education of our children, the future of America’s economic health. He is committed to developing the teachers of tomorrow from among the brightest in our classrooms today and preparing, retaining and rewarding every teacher in America for their service.

In 1965, President Kennedy’s call to service led me to build schools in El Salvador. Now, though my hair is gray, I am inspired again. With Barack Obama and Joe Biden as our ticket – yes, there is hope for the change we need!

Thank you, Senator Obama, for unlocking the imagination and idealism of all generations of Americans, including our Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Thank you for inspiring us to be a critical part of your journey to victory this November. And thank you for your commitment to education, for knowing the strength of America’s tomorrow lies in the classrooms of today.

Congressman Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair, kicked-off the October 7th national organizing day by campaigning with New Jersey 7th congressional candidate, Linda Stender. The day started with the Congressman and Assemblywoman greeting members of Plumbers Local 24, who they joined for a labor walk. After the walk, Honda and Stender participated in a brief training with canvassers, which was lead by one of the campaign's Field Organizers.

Neighbor-to-neighbor, spreading the Democratic message, one door at a time.

Honda and Stender, along with local canvassers, walked door-to-door, visiting homes and businesses in Edison, Roselle Park, Woodbridge and Elizabeth, sharing the Democratic message of a new direction for America with voters throughout the district. They also attended an Asian Trade Show and Chinese Festival, where Congressman Honda, who chairs the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus, and Stender spoke about how improving the economy and educational opportunities would benefit Asian-Americans, New Jersey, and all of America.

Congressman Honda also joined numerous other Democratic Party leaders and elected officials who campaigned for Senatorial candidate Bob Menendez that weekend.

Senator Bob Menendez addresses a crowd of supporters.

Senator Bob Menendez was at a huge rally with organized labor leaders and Demcoratic supporters before heading out on his own canvass.

More New Jersey Grassroots Stories from The 50-State Turnout Kick-off over at Blue Jersey here andhere.

People often ask me why I have chosen to spend my summer following Frances Strickland around rural Ohio. She is hitting the roadways daily and I have been fortunate to come along for the ride for about 1000 miles. In addition to enjoying her wonderful company and feeling a part of an important campaign, I have had a chance to see parts of Ohio that I haven't seen for years. But, most important I have found that the trips give me things to think about."

I usually hate to admit that I actually live "inside the Beltway." My house literally is in a neighborhood in Maryland that is adjacent to the Beltway and I have lived here for 23 years. My local news is in the Washington Post and my local TV and radio are very Washington-centered. My family roots for the Washington Redskins and the Nationals even though we also admit that we are Indians, Browns, Ohio State football and University of Cincinnati basketball fans.

This summer, I have spent less time in my Bethesda house then I have in Ohio and other places "outside the beltway." I have been campaigning with College Democrats in St. Louis and at a senior center in Circleville. Last month, I went to a hog auction in Shelby County and to a Democratic Reunion Rally in Lima. This month I passed out stickers at a Labor Day Parade on the Ohio River in Marietta. I proudly wore my Ted Strickland shirt walking through an almost empty shopping mall in Columbus and eating a fabulous gyro at the biggest Greek festival I have ever seen in Columbus' Short North.

People might look at this and wonder, are these trips "worth it."

Let me tell you what I have learned along the way.

A steelworker in Coshocton told me about his son's experiences in Iraq. His son had spent more than 18 months in Iraq and is currently preparing to go back. This same steelworker had possibly the most anti-war message I have heard in months. He told me that his son had lost several members of his platoon. He doesn't understand why he is painting schools in Iraq instead of repairing schools in Coshocton. He doesn't see an end to the violence and he doesn't really understand why he is there in the first place.

While in Logan, Sue Ellen walked up to me and said, "Democrats should use this line over and over. Just because they say it, doesn't make it so." She was talking about everything -- the War in Iraq, the economy, the prescription drug plan, etc. She was also responding to the barrage of negative ads that Strickland's opponent had launched.

Two doctors who hosted a "meet and greet," the Weinstocks, in Bexley, showed me that you can pull together a group of people anywhere in Ohio these days and hear the same thing -- disappointment in the direction and corruption in Ohio and the country and a real longing to elevate the conversation and the response to our nation's ills. They want good schools for their children and health care for their parents.

A tour of the Columbus YWCA family homeless shelter showed me how significant the homeless population is in that city and how critically needed services are at a premium and how the economy puts more and more people at risk. The adorable children playing in the day care center could have been children anywhere, but here they were in borrowed clothes and wearing donated diapers.

A member of LULAC described the abominable conditions for Hispanics in Butler County where racial discrimination is rearing its ugly head. Some stores in Butler County have signs barring Spanish speaking inside them. The Sheriff has erected a billboard with a huge anti-immigrant message.

A waiter stopped us on the way out of a restaurant, we stood and chatted for a few minutes. He left us with one thought, "It is about the kids dying, people don't talk about that. It is about the kids dying".

Those words struck me as I walked into the Columbus Airport. Standing in line at the check in counter was a man with his arm around a woman and what appeared to be his family standing next to them. We see images like that in airports everyday. This time it was different. The man was in his fatigues and the woman's eyes were red-rimmed. I could hardly look in their direction. I didn't want to intrude but their eyes told the story. I was afraid for this young man and his family.

Now I am home. I am "inside the Beltway." I am going to sleep in my own bed for a couple of nights. But, I am going to be thinking about that young man in his fatigues and wondering where his next stop will be.

Soon enough, I'll write a light-hearted post about how I think the campaigns in Ohio are going. I'll try to recruit some volunteers, jot down some talking points for next week's appearances and raise some money for our candidates. But, tonight I know my answer.

Yes, Frances and I agree. These trips are so very important. It is all about the people you meet along the way.

The week before the event, the AAA Fund released a report on the dramatic increase in AAPI political participation in recent years. For example the report found that in the past ten years, the number of AAPI elected officials has nearly doubled, from 300 in 1996 to 555 in 2005.

Organizations like the AAA Fund are helping to fulfill the Democratic Party vision of moving the AAPI community from the table to the ticket.

Governor Dean with Ken Leong-Hong, Bel-Leong Hong, DNC APIA Caucus Chair and AAA Fund Board Member, Yeni Wong, member of DNC's Women's Leadership Forum and Founding Member of AAA Fund, and Iowa State Representative Swati Dandekar.

Governor Dean addresses AAA Fund dinner attendees.

Governor Dean speaks to Jay Goyal, Democratic nominee for Ohio State Representative in the 73rd District and Gautam Dutta, AAA Fund Board Member.

Congressman Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair and Chair of AAA Fund Honorary Board, delivers the keynote address.

"On behalf of the Democratic National Committee, we are honored to join all Americans in paying tribute to the contributions made by the 13 million Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to our nation's social, economic, and cultural identity. When it comes to public service, Democrats remain committed to working with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community to promote civic engagement and participation at every level of government, and getting more AAPI leaders elected all across the country.

"Democrats are leading the way in changing the old politics that kept minority elected officials in minority districts. The fact is, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Americans can represent Americans of every background - and in many parts of the country are already doing so. From Satveer Chaudry, who serves as State Senator in Minnesota, to Jennifer Kim who serves as Austin City Council Member in Texas, to 22-year old Nathan Shinagawa who serves as Tompkins County Legislator in New York, and all the way to Madaleine Bordallo and Eni Faleomavaega, our Pacific Islander members of Congress from Guam and America Samoa, respectively, AAPI leaders all across America and its territories are breaking new ground and representing not just the AAPI community, but the full diversity of the cities and districts they represent.

"As a Party, Democrats want the AAPI community not just at the table, but also on the ticket at every level. The overwhelming majority of AAPI elected officials are Democrats, and we intend to keep it that way. Democrats have long championed the values we share with the AAPI community, including a strong work ethic, a commitment to education, and respect for families. As we commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Democrats renew our commitment to working together as we forge a future that strengthens our country, protects our democracy, and defends our civil rights for all our citizens. Together, America can do better."

Congressman Honda shared some personal insights about his own experiences growing up as a Japanese American. Staff members also had the opportunity to share a little of their own personal stories. Staff members had diverse backgrounds, came from all over the United States, and represented several different countries of origin including China, Japan, the Philippines, India, West India and Korea.

The breakfast was an enlightening experience, as we discovered two staff members whom we weren't aware were of AAPI origin -- Jacqueline Williams and Albert Morales (yes, seriously!).

DNC AAPI staff members enjoy breakfast with Congressman Mike Honda.

Attendees of DNC AAPI staff breakfast included (from left to right): Kris Cuaresma-Prim (fellow in Congressman Honda's office); Parag Mehta (Political); Melanie Wong (Finance); Natalie Chung (Administration); Albert Morales (American Majority); Jacqueline Williams (Administration); Estela Vallarta (Compliance); Chuq Yang (Technology); Miti Sathe (Finance); Brooks Banton (Finance); Shripal Shah (Communications); and Betsy Kim (American Majority).

When Susan Turnbull gives a speech on health care or Social Security, she thinks about her father's heart attack or her mother's neurological condition that confined her to a nursing home. "I'm not just selling a product," she says. "I speak as someone who has faced life-changing decisions."

As vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the 52-year-old Turnbull embodies the phrase "the personal is political." When her mother eventually died from complications after breast cancer surgery in 1992, Turnbull helped establish a task force in Maryland that issues cancer-screening guidelines in nursing homes. "The reason I have success in politics," she observes, "is because I'm like everybody else. What happens in your own life changes your viewpoint and allows you to take action."

What a great event! Kudos to State Chair Pat Waak and the entire State Party. Not only was there substantive information about state issues, but there was energy and vitality that was very contagious. From the hallway displays of 2006 candidates and independent groups like Democracy for Colorado to the buttons, bumper stickers and brochures touting Buy Blue Colorado, Democrats were out in full force.

I was particularly struck by the truly impressive legislative leaders in attendance. Former DNC Member and current Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, Andrew Romanoff was an incredible speaker who wowed the crowd. State Senate President and DLCC Chair Joan Fitzgerald showed the strength and power it took to take over both the House and Senate in Colorado. I was also proud to hear Congresswoman Diana DeGette speak eloquently about one of her key legislative initiatives - stem cell research.

At the State Party Central Committee Meeting that afternoon, I was lucky to have the opportunity to follow Senator Ken Salazar who applauded the State Party and its leadership for the aggressive program underway. Colorado won't be resting in 2005 or 2006. The wave of activity which swept the state in 2004 was just the beginning. In 2005, the State Party and its leaders are engaged in a critical effort to pass two referendums - C and D - to bring fiscal vitality back to the State.

I was especially pleased to meet the four new organizers brought onboard as part of the DNC's State Party Partnership Program. It was great to share good news with Democrats in Colorado and to see how our partnership program is truly underway.

Seeing old friends and making new friends made the day complete. But, I must say, having someone tell me that he had read my posts on Daily Kos, was possibly one of the biggest surprises!

Susan Turnbull
DNC Vice Chair

Early this month, I spent three days at the Young Democrats of America Convention in San Francisco. I met with various state delegations and was the keynote speaker at a reception hosted by the Jewish and Rural Caucuses of Young Democrats. (That was definitely an interesting combination). I challenged the YDA Women's Caucus members to take a chance and run for office. I urged the Mid-Atlantic Young Democrats to travel to work on the 2005 campaigns in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City where the influx of talent could help make the difference for a winning election. Finally, addressing the general session of the YDA Convention, I reminded the attendees that the issues before us today are the same issues that I faced as a "young democrat" -- a war, concerns about the environment and a corrrupt administration with huge ethical problems.

After the YDA event, I spoke at a leadership conference hosted by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at Camp Ramah Daron in Clayton, Georgia. More than 300 students from across the world converged on this camp for lessons in leadership. I shared the stage with a republican operative to discuss why to get involved in politics and how to assume political leadership. I also had the opportunity in a more informal setting to have an off-the-record lunch with some enthusiastic young democrats who are students on campuses from coast to coast.

What these two trips made clear is that there are lots of energized young democrats wanting to be involved and active at both the national and local level. These young democrats aren't just our future, they are today's leaders with the commitment to help make our world a better place.

As an "empty nester" it was a great energy booster for me to see so much talent which gives me hope.

Susan Turnbull
DNC Vice Chair