I was originally just going to post this as a comment, but I decided it deserves its own article.

I just got an email through the Colorado for Dean mailing list from Mike Miles, the democratic front runner to contest the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Mike Miles endorsed and campaigned for Dean, and is now reaching out to Dean supporters to keep up the fight to take our country back.

His website design leaves something to be desired, but his positions on the issues look reasonable. (i.e. Mostly in line with the Dean philosophy, but with some personal variances here and there.)

Points of importance:

• Iraq War. Opposed. Wants to repair our alliances with the world community that have been damaged by the Bush doctrine, and put Iraq under U.N. control.
• Patriot Act. Opposed. "While we have legitimate security concerns, the threat of terrorism cannot justify abrogation of fundamental rights. Our civil liberties are not forfeit during times of crisis. Indeed, it is during times of crisis that we need them most. Thus the Patriot Act goes too far, and I will work to repeal the portions of the Patriot Act that are unconstitutional or undermine fundamental freedoms." [/me cheers.]
• Health Care. Supports implementing a universal single payer system. (This differs from Dean's more centrist position to reform the current system by filling in many of the gaps, rather than a complete overhaul. For the record, I personally am on the fence with regard to this issue.)
• Public Education. Being a former teacher and principal, he has some experience in this area. Opposes the No Child Left Behind act, and believes that making teaching a more financially attractive position would go a long way to improving the education system.
• Abortion. Pro-choice. Duh.
• Gay Marriage. Believes "marriage" as such should be left up to churches, but that the state should grant equality to all under law through civil union legislation.
• Affirmative Action. Supports it as a way to make up for much of the subtle discrimination that continues to happen in the U.S. I disagree with Miles (and Dean) on this issue, it's not a big enough sticking point to keep me from supporting them.
• Jobs. Wants to tweak the tax system to favor companies that employ workers in the United States instead of outsourcing overseas. Also supports government funding to hire people to improve the power grid, alternative energy sources, the transportation system, and technology infrastructure.
• Immigration. Supports expanding legal immigration programs, and granting legal status to undocumented workers who can prove they have worked here for 5 years without commiting any felonies.

What's missing? I don't see anything on his site about getting the federal deficit under control, or balancing the budget, which was a cornerstone of the Dean campaign, so I don't know what his position is on this issue.

Also, there is not a word on issues such as IP, the DMCA, and copyright reform, which are important to me. But then again, Dean himself never came out with an official statement on these either.

This Rocky Mountain News article talks a little bit about him, his life story, and his positions.

Given what I've seen so far, on balance, I would be inclined to vote for this guy, especially when contrasted with his incumbent opponent's stances. Mike Miles for Colorado Senate! May the Dean legacy live on in other elected offices across the nation.