Howard Dean talks Democratic plans at Harvard Law School.

Though Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean is not known for being publicity-shy, a speech by the former Vermont governor at Harvard Law School Saturday was closed to the press.

Dean laid out a strategy for Democratic victories in 2006 and 2008 elections, according to students in attendance. Although Dean addressed the media’s perception that Democrats have no plan or message, students in attendance said, the media itself was barred from the speech. Markus R.T. Kolic ’09, one of four undergraduates admitted to the event by lottery, wrote in an e-mail that he was impressed that Dean had a clear plan.

“The 6-point plan was less important for its content, which was fairly generic Democratic talking points (improving the health care system, etc.) than for the simple fact that it existed,” Kolic wrote. “Dean prefaced it by talking about the widespread media perception that Democrats have no message and proceeded to counter it by listing, rapid-fire, six clear points.”

Dean told a packed audience in Austin Hall at HLS, “Don’t let anybody tell you Democrats don’t have a message” to audience applause, according to Kolic.

“He was very decisive,” said Indira Phukan ’09. “He didn’t hesitate to criticize the Republicans, but he didn’t hesitate to criticize the Democrats either.”