NMI’s Matthew Reichbach is reporting live from the Netroots Nation convention in Austin, Texas and will send in reports from the conference.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean stopped in Austin, TX on his "Register for Change" bus tour across the nation.

Dean stopped in Austin as part of the Netroots Nation convention, a convention for progressive bloggers and activists. Dean stepped off the bus to a crowd of cheering Democrats waving Democracy for America signs in the muggy Austin heat. Dean founded Democracy for America but stepped down as chairman of the group when he became head of the DNC.

Dean spoke for approximately 20 minutes to the crowd, speaking of the importance of voter registration. "I think all of you are already registered to vote," Dean told the crowd to laughter.
 

The enthusiastic crowd shouted suggestions to Dean throughout the speech, and Dean acknowledged the shouts from the crowd with a smile and laugh.

Dean was introduced by Houston City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, the wife of Democratic Texas Senate candidate Rick Noriega.

(Photo by Matthew Reichbach)