The other day I told a friend that I had contributed to the Dean campaign. She snorted and said, "What are you going to do next, vote for Nader?" implying that support for Dean was support for the spoiler.

I reminded her of the circumstances leading up to the 1992 election. In the summer of 1991, Bill Clinton was about as likely a president as...well, let's just say not very likely: he had little name recognition and was thought to be lacking in the national experience to make it to Washington, much less to make it IN Washington; and let's not forget his personal achilles heel. As late as New Year's Day of 1992, I had never considered Clinton a major player. But I saw him speak to a group of Charleston, SC, Dems that day, I turned to my dad and said, "This guy's going to be president." Now, I don't claim to always call the winner (cf. the 2000 selection), but I think my instincts were good then, and I think they're good now.

I don't imagine that I'll agree with Gov. Dean on every issue or that the campaign will be without disappointments. But when I look at the alternative to enthusiastically supporting Dean, I don't like what I see. I believe that with our support Dean can win. And I believe that the way Dean is seeking and receiving support--not just from corporate donors or from PACs but from real, live people--gives us an opportunity to hold our president accountable as the people have not been able to do in quite a long time.

Here's to the possibilities!

Amazing, I'm off to donate what ever else I can today, then running out to help setup @ the Roxy for tonights event

this is really great...Boy,it must be really exciting to be at headquarters....

thanks everybody..!!

Quick go read today's The Note http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/TheNote/TheNote.html

Some of the quotes from other campaigns are hysterical. Denial is more than a river through the Beltway.

I just made my 3rd contribution this month and I am dedicating it to my partner Mark L. Today's his birthday and I can't think of a better present!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

It's weird, but I feel like I walked into the middle of the Jerry Lewis Telethon.....

Just make sure the Gov doesn't sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' tonight.

I too am 'bat-addicted'!!!!!! Let's go for lucky 7!

The transparency and immediacy of the Dean campaign fundraising numbers are astonishing.

Not only is it whipping up the troops to materially support the campaign, it is emblematic of the openness regarding governance and financing that is so desperately needed in our country today.

Can you imagine if people were edcuated upon, and showed such an interest in, the spending priorities of Washington? If the Congressional pork budget was updated daily on an ever-expanding graphic of a pig? If the shrinking budget for police, firemen and schools was refreshed hourly as a sucking drain? The foundations of both parties entrenched in Washignton would shake to the ground.

Fortunately, I know the Dean campaign stands for fiscal responsilibty and has good use for my dolllars; taking back the White House. I'm off to swing my personal credit card bat for the team.

The GOP is running scared. They know Howard Dean is the ONLY candidate that has a chance of beating George Bush.

The Democratic Leadership is scared because they know that Howard Dean owes them NOTHING!

This is truly "People-Powered Howard"

Last Monday, Howard Dean told us "You have the power!"

And so he was right. We have become a nation of sheep or have been dazed by what has happened in Washington.

Dean has reawakened us to our own power. We CAN change our destiny with Howard Dean leading the charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$ 7,000,000 by days end is the battle cry!

Wah hoo! I just made my first ever campaign donation and I gave it to Dean. No candidate has ever gotten me excited enough to give money. :-) I could only afford $50 (rent time), but I intend to give more next month and I wanted to get something in before the end of the quarter.

When Doonesbury is onto you, you've hit the big time!
I'm hoping that folks in this campaign are ready for things to get nasty--we're too big to be dismissed by laughter any more.

is this before matching fund?

How much of the total will be matched by the federal gov't? Since the average contribution size is so low, it has to be a huge amount.

You go, Mr. Dean. We of the VRWC are pulling for you to get the Dem nomination (if the three faves ahead of you don't make it). Here's our fave list:
1. Kucinich
2. Mosley Braun
3. Sharpton
4. Dean
5. Edwards
6. Kerry
7. Graham
8. Gephardt
9. Lieberman
I'm afraid Moonbeam Kucinich will be gone by the time the Georgia primaries are held, as will Mosley Braun. It now appears likely that Dean will be fighting with brother Al for my VRWC Dem primary crossover vote, if you and Al are still around. So you go, Howie baby! Sorry, no $$$ from me at this time, but if it gets close with one of the electable guys, I may toss a few Benjamin Franklins your way.
BTW, saw you on MTP. Great job! Haven't seen as much bobbing and weaving since the last featherweight title fight.

>Howard Dean will personally call 5 donors, >selected randomly, who contribute on the >Internet today. (Be sure to enter your phone >number when you contribute.)

I didn't see a box for entering my phone number?!?

Boycott Eckerd Pharmacy chain and CVS Pharmacy chain.

Concerning the repeal of HR 1 and S 1 I ask people to boycott CVS Pharmacies and also Eckerd Pharmacies. Eckerd Pharmacies, a Division of JC Penney gives money to the Republican Party. CVS exists in 20 states throughout the country and Eckerd Drugs exists in 49 states. People should boycott CVS and Eckerd Drugs around the country and tell CVS and Eckerd Drugs that they will not buy from CVS or Eckerd Drugs until they can get the Republicans to repeal HR 1 and S 1 and get the Republicans to enact a real prescription drug plan that covers 80 percent of prescription drugs as part of Medicare Part B with no extra premium and no extra deductibles and with no gaps in coverage and with no means testing.

I also call for the congress to pass legislation to lift the taxable income cap of 80,000 dolars for which FICA tax gets computed in order to fund Social Security and Medicare better.

Pass the word to seniors groups and disabled groups as well as people generally

Let the economic civil disobedience BEGIN!

http://www.boycott-republicans.com

http://www.stolenelectioncoin.com

Looks like we caught a bored Freeper..........

A couple of weeks ago, I also made my first-ever contribution to ANY political candidate, and I'm glad to say it was for Gov. Dean. I'm waiting to see how much money is in by the end of the day - I may have to rummage pocket change and skip tomorrow's trip to Starbucks in order to help us get to the goal. ;)

I was very impressed with Dean's performance in the California LCV forum that aired yesterday morning in the L.A. area. Very focused and on-topic, and he didn't seem to feel like he needed to drone on to make his points. I was stunned a few times when he didn't even use all of his allotted 60 seconds to answer a few of the questions put to him. I thought Sens. Kerry and Lieberman would never stop talking a couple of times.

Hm, it's a deal.......I think I can squeeze out another 10 bucks this quarter.

Making it 10.06, because it's donation #6 :)

I just donated to the Dean campagin and it said to include your phone number with you donation and he'll call 5 random people who donated. Where are you suppposed to put your phone number? I didn't see a space to put it. I wanted to put my phone number down so I could be considered but I didn't see the space. If anyone knows the answer to this, it would be great. Go Dean!

Next stop, the monthly debates. The Democrats have setup monthly debates to be aired by PBS the first month, MSNBC/CSNBC the next month, and then CNN, and the fourth is still undecieded. This is where Dean gets to show the undecieded folks why he's the best man for the job of President.

After an incredible 2nd quarter of fund raising it looks like it's Dean's nomination to lose.

Dennis Miller compared the Dems to the 62 Mets, sorry Dennis, it looks more like the 69 Amazin Mets, who shook up baseball by coming out of nowhere to win the world series.

AMAZIN DEAN!!!!!!

Go, Howie, Go!!!

Come-on folks! We have to get to $7 million before the deadline. A cool $7 million would offer a nice round number for the press and serve to make this historic moment that much more momentous. Let's do it.

Jared: I had the same problem. What should we do, Matthew?

I'm going out into the streets of Boston during lunch to hand out fliers on what we're doing!!

ya know.... (she says sneakily)

if there was $2.6 million from the first quarter, it would take $7.4 to equal a cool $10 million for the half...

wouldn't that be a nice round number to report?

is 7.4 pushing it? a million dollars in 12 hours?

I just donated again. CNN is picking this up as a Cinderella story. Let's beat Joe's challenge. LET'S MAKE OUR OWN CHALLENGE OF $7 MILLION.

Go Dean Go! A Thunderclap indeed! The others are running scared today. The entire first section of ABC's The Note is dedicated to Gov. Dean. This news will dominate political headlines all week. Let's take advantage of the buzz and grow the base even larger. Resistance is futile.

The events of the past week have made me feel proud to be an American again. I'm reclaiming my flag from Fox News. I'm reclaiming my flag from those that tell me I'm unpatriotic for simply disagreeing with W. I'm sick of being called a "liberal" like its a bad word! The radical right has moved the "center" so far to the right that Reagan would have to be considered a moderate and Nixon a flaming liberal. What has happened to our country? Let's take it back folks, this week was the first step in a long struggle. Keep it up!

This rocks! You guys sure are good at keeping people motivated and excited!

A suggestion: how about a permanent message board? Would that be easier to maintain than the blog comments?

I put my work phone in the "Address 2" line, and my home phone down at the bottom in the space under the "Service Code" line.

If this keeps up, it won't be the '62 or '69 Mets. It'll be the '86 Mets, and George Bush will be playing Bill Buckner...... :-)

(Apologies in advance to any Red Sox fans out there, I know that still hurts)

"Comments are turned off on this post. Please comment on the open thread."

That's cool, but you should change your MovableType template so that it doesn't display the link to the comments if they're disabled.

I can help with this if you'd like. look@recursion.org

Jbou, you bring up Miller's comparison of the Dems to the '62 Mets. I would suggest that the accomplishments of the Bush Administration are a little less impressive than those of the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who are generally agreed upon to have reached the most impressive level of suckitude in the history of pro baseball.

Baseball and politics...I'm sitting here like Julie Andrews singing about my favorite things. :)

In life we decide on importance, eating is much less important this month than making sure that the people are heard. I hope this lets the other candidates understand that the status-quo isn't acceptable anymore. We the people want to be heard in our government. We have the power as individuals to make a difference finally we have the opportunity. I don't care what party you belong to Gov. Dean thank you for giving this countries people the opportunity to voice what they want. I just became a memeber of the Green Party because I was so disheartened with the rest. Now, here I am doing something I have never done, giving money to a candidate,and one that isn't my party. Thank you for being a spark to light this patriotic fire.
Sincerly,
Stephanie

The Dean Web Team deserve a well deserved round of applause. They've put together the most active, informative, engaging and just plain fun web site I've ever seen!

I've looked at some of the other candidates sites and to compare them to Dean's is like comparing a lump of coal to a diamond.

But then a diamond come from coal and Dean has endured, from the Press & pundits, an enourmous amount of pressure and has come up ***sparkling***

To the Dean Web Team------Job well done!!!

ABC News' Political Note Kerry will have bankrolled $11 million in their account as of 6/30. (This includes cash on hand and money raised in this quarter.)

Edwards camp is reporting about $5 million raised.

45,000 on Meetup woo hoo

I too gave a campaign contribution for the first time, earlier this week (when 1.5 million was seeming a lofty goal for online contributions). I'm so excited to be on this fast moving train.

I too remember Bill Clinton being written off as having no chance in 91 and early 92. I also had the same reaction as CJB (in a post above) when I saw him speak for the first time, in January of 92 at a Rainbow/Push meeting on CSPAN. I said to myself, "he's our next president". I didn't feel that way necessarily about Gore (I sure voted for him, but worried that Bush would win). When I first saw Howard Dean early this year, I actually said to myself, "He could be it again", despite all of my friends and colleagues declaring him unelectable. Here's hoping my track record of predicting over the past 12 years continues.

7 million by the end of the day! If you haven't given yet, do it now!

I haven't seen much information about the Texas Bush Whack parties we held across the state on Friday night. Mined raise $150, not a bad investment for a cooler full of beer and some pizza.

Lately I've found the best ongoing activism I can employ is to talk. The other day, two friends asked me how I was doing and I used the opportunity to talk about The Doctor and gained two recruits by doing so. Saturday night I got into a heated debate with some "liberals" who were convinced Dean wasn't the Democratic candidate to beat Bush, but who were at a loss to propose an alternative. They told me Dean needed to get the word out, my response was he was getting the word out through me. I'm still working on them.

If these grassroots are going to spread and cover the entire lawn, we all have to keep talking every chance we get.

Give 'em hell, Howard!

Wrong name ID above, The previous thread was actually:

I'll add to the chorus of folks who donated today and couldn't give a phone number. Hopefully, this'll get fixed.

eileen

Just wanted to let you know, I made another donation this morning. This is my fourth, totalling $1100. One reason for my rational, other than the other well deserved reasons Governor Dean provides, I don't need the tax cut. I consider it my American obligation and honor to fund education, housing for the poor, and health care for all americans. I would have felt sullied and tainted had I not made the additional donation of the tax cut dollar amount in my last check. I ask all who can to do the same.

Someone should get the word out that it's possible to give $2000 for the primary AND $2000 for the general election. I was holding back money until I found this out. I'm sure others are confused about this too.

Marcus is right. Now that the campaign is developing quite the cash war chest, our voices with friends and colleagues is just as important. I've got a friend of mine recruited to come to Wednesday's meetup to find out more about Dr. Dean. We can prove that grassroots still exist, and work!

I think it's GREAT that Dean is going to call five contributors personally, but there is no place to enter my phone number when I contribute. Help! I want to talk to him!

Today's ABC News The Note is awesome! Dean is the "Six Million Dollar Man!"

In the first quarter Kerry reported raising 7 million dollars. In fact he raised 4 million directly for this political cycle.

He then added another 3 million to that, left over from his senate campaign war chest. Gephardt did the same thing.

Amazing! I said to a couple friends abotu a week ago that I thought the fundraising totals for this quarter would be a shocker to the press and other candidates, but I had no idea we'd be gunning for the top fundraising total fo rhte quarter.

I donated another $50 this morning, but didn't see about the phone number thing until too late. Oh well. I'm too excited by this news to care. :) I posted The Bat on my blog today. Can't wait to see it hit the $6.6 mil (or dare I say $7 mil) mark!

For what it's worth, Bush's new Tax Cuts are taking effect right about now. I think I'll be donating the difference to the Dean campaign until we win in 2004 (it's money that I've been living without so far, why not put it to good use). This site has a calculator that will tell you how much more you'll be able to give this year.

The site I referenced above is paycheckcity.com

this is so exciting!!! i made my donation and i keep clicking refresh every so often to get an update and to read everyone's comments!

GO DEAN!!!

Headquarters in Burlington is rocking! The phones are ringing off the hook -- and everyone who is calling is contributing!

People Powered Howard is rolling thanks to you.

What a week! What a day --lets keep it rolling strong till midnight!

Joe Trippi
campaign manager
Dean for America

I've donated twice. Here's what I've been telling people who haven't yet:

"You can give Dean your money now, and he'll win the White House and change the disasterous course the country's on right now, OR...you can wait until Bush takes that money from you (won't be long) and gives it to his rich pals as tax breaks. It's your choice."

Just so everyone remembers, if you attend (or organize!) a fundraising houseparty the Governor calls the houseparty. It's not the same as a one on one conversation, but it's still pretty neat. And it's guaranteed, whereas the five lucky winners is a lottery.

My second contribution this week, I am spending my tax cut early. Thank You Mr. Bush for getting me politically active again and then giving me the money to boot you out of office.

Never give up on peace.

Please, no Mets analogies! I have been a Mets fan since 1964, and believe me, you do NOT want this campaign to be like the Mets, because then a few years later you'll have nothing but heartache.

Just did a little math.

11:35am - $6,454,756.00
Noon - $6,480,204.00

That averages to $1017.92 PER MINUTE. If it keeps up through midnight, that would make a total of over $7.2 million!!!! Let's keep it going! (although I'm sure it'll tail off some at night, still, it shows we CAN hit $7 million!)

Wow. I'm overwhelmed. As Dean said in an email to supporters today, History is being made today. I'm proud to be part of it, proud of Dean, Trippi, and all the staff, proud of all the MeetUp people.

Let's take back our country.

LET'S GO FOR $7 MILLION!!

I can just imagine the whole campaign staff collapsing from exhaustion at some point tomorrow morning.............

Well, I've heard the first negative Dean remark from a fellow Democrat this morning. His comment was "We [the other Democrats] are going to immolate him from within." Why do people say things like this, like he's the enemy and should be destroyed? It really sickens me. We (Democrats) are never going to win if we're going to waste our time attacking one another. I can understand supporting another candidate (there are several good ones) and debating the issues, but I can't understand a desire to destroy a fellow Democrat. This attitude will hand Bush the Presidency on a platter. Let's find ways of working together with other Democrats, even though we don't all support the same candidate. The important thing is that we get one of our people into the White House! We would like that person to be Howard Dean but I'm certain we'd be happy to choose almost any Democrat over Bush. If we can nip this [base "]immolate from within[per thou] talk in the bud, we[base ']ll make the Democratic party that much stronger.

Unbelievable. I was going to call my father during my lunch hour to try -- again -- to convince him to make a donation. Now my office phone rings, and he says he wants info so he can send Dean $25. I don't believe he's ever donated to a candidate in his life, and I have no idea what changed his mind.

I thought "immolate from within" was the sort of bullshit practiced by the Republicans?! Isn't that why Jim Jeffords left his longtime party? Isn't that part of the reason why people are nearly as mad at the Democratic Party as they are at Republicans? It's exactly that "immolate from within" mentality that keeps this party from really succeeding.

Keep working on that friend, Heather!!

To the people looking for a place to put a phone number on the contribution form:

In case you haven't seen it, here's the update:

"Howard Dean will personally call 5 donors, selected randomly, who contribute on the Internet today. (You will receive a thank you email through which you will be able to supply your phone number.)"

So, just enter your contribution and other info, and hit that button!

on a permanent message board: I made this attempt a month ago, but got relativly little response. Head over and try to fire up the discussion! (free, non-add supported)

www.deantalk.com/forums

I just gave again--the third time this week, fifth time overall. Let's get the Governor to $7,000,000!

Quote by Louis Brandeis...

"The greatest dangers to LIBERTY lurk in the insidious encroachment by men of zeal; well meaning but without understanding."

George Bush encapsulated.

I've never contributed to a candidate for the primaries before; I've also *never* asked my friends to contribute before. To my surprise, I did both of these things in the past month (and I can see I'm not the only "firstie" here).

When I first saw the platforms of the candidates, I picked Dean's because it was most in line with my own. At the time I thought he was a long shot and that in the end I'd have to cast my vote for someone more likely, such as Kerry. And, ya know, Kerry's not so bad. Heck of a lot better than Bush.

But Dean's views are a lot closer to mine, again. So why shouldn't we support the candidate of our choice? That made me donate to his campaign a couple weeks back.

His dedication, commitment, ability to get press coverage, ability to shake up expectations, and amazing achievement of reaching and mobilizing segments of the population who, let's face it, traditionally haven't been very good about getting to the polls (gotta do it this time around, folks!) are what made me contribute again today -- and to urge my friends to do the same.

It has been decades since I felt enthusiastic about a candidate. Dr. Dean, thank you for giving me someone to have faith in again. I've been watching your campaign for quite awhile, and I have hope now that we can return the presidency to common sense, accountability, respectability, and fairness.

I'm an artist and raising my son alone, not a situation with financial security, but I have donated $25 to the campaign and joined my local "meetup" group. I haven't campaigned for a candidate since I was in college in the early '70's!

Alice Flynn
Montana

I just sent the following to the Editorial section (along with a pic of the bat).

I find it wonderful that there is a candidate that can get
people excited about having a say in their government.

It doesn't matter what party you belong to it is fantastic to see that the individual combined with other individuals can have a voice and make a difference.

Life is too short to believe that you can't make a
difference you can.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

This is great. I keep surprising myself and sending in more money to help keep up the momentum...

Speaking of momentum..., as one of those Dean supporters who have never donated to a campaign before, I hadn't realized how often the e-mail appeals for more donations might come, and how often I would need to remind myself of the reasons to keep giving.

Was wondering if maybe in the future, to vary the appeals a little, and give my imagination a rest, the e-mail appeals people could--in addition to reiterating the general appeals--sometimes mention something Dean had just done or something the media had just said, and invite supporters to make their voices heard on that issue as well--whether by giving for the first time or giving a little more? For example, where Dean had just reached out to Hispanic voters in CA, an e-mail might invite supporters to demonstrate, with the power of their credit cards, their opposition to divisiveness, desire to come together as Americans, belief in the message, or the importance to them personally of what Dean said on the subject...?

Just a thought. It feels so good to be heard, and now with the media listening...People DO like those online polls...well, anyway...

Great work everyone!

if you need even MORE incentive to contribute, read this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/30/national/30CONS.html

all the "professionals" have underestimated Dean from the start. Feel proud that we've decided that THE PEOPLE outside DC should actually have a say in who should lead our country!! the Note is what's read by every insider.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/TheNote/TheNote.html

My mom is a relative apathetic soccer suburban immigrant mom. she told me she saw that George BUsh was raising $2,000 from people to eat hot dogs in this economy and she said, "that means only the big corporations and special interests get heard! that's not fair!" so she donated $100 to Dean today. if SHE gets it, someone who doesn't watch Meet the Press, or read the NYTimes and is relatively uninvolved with teh whole process, then other people are gonna too...

Come on Joe... put the bar at $7 million, we can do it!!!

so the half-hour reports say how much they've raised ONLINE today, but they've also said the phone is ringing off the hook...

are we seeing only internet contributions on the bat? if so, we could be in for a shocker when we hear the total.

plus dean is attending two fundraising events today in new york.

i hear that $7.4 million mark beckoning... imagine reporting $10 million for these two quarters combined...

Just made my fourth donation for the quarter! (In case any of you are still wondering, if you're one of the lucky 5 they'll email you to get your phone number.) This is insane, in a good way! Let's keep it going!

The conventional wisdom about "electability" means nothing, as others have said upthread about Clinton in 91-92. Anything can happen, and all of us can make the difference! This is giving the power back to the people--and that's what scares the anti-Dean people in Washington, because they don't want their apple cart upset.

Well, too bad. We're here, and we're not going away. We want change, we want Howard Dean, and we're going to give and talk and organize our hearts out for him.

People-Powered Howard is *the* political story of 2003!

While I have always had "opinions" and talked politics with friends, voted in _most_ elections, I have yet to even put a bumper sticker on my car to support my candidate of choice. This month I have contributed a considerable amount of my money, asked my friends to consider getting involved, and have been sending personal letters to people who I think are influential to ask them to consider supporting Howard Dean. If there is one thing that I have learned in the past few weeks I have been [base "]awakened[per thou] by the Howard Dean campaign, is that it is not enough just to have opinions. I have to get out there and do something. Thank you Howard.

I turned on CNN headline news at 6:10 AM PDT (9:10 EDT), and caught the very last seconds of what had to be a report on Howard Dean's successful fundraising. Since I wanted to see the story, I waited the normal cycle to 6:40, but they were not covering it that half hour. One has to wonder if a Time-Warner executive called in and had them remove the story.

It appears the traditional press is largely and intentionally ignoring Dean's candidacy, despite his overwhelming popular support. Let's hope that the internet will be the unsuspected wild card this year which creates a juggernaut, overwhelming the traditional media, and eventually bringing down GW.

Contribute to the campaign to make sure we are supporting Howard Dean with more than just words on a computer screen!

This is the first time I have ever contributed money to a presidential candidate. But it's conditional, sort of--I'll be watching and considering giving more if I see that Dean is continuing to speak his true mind on issues. I am sick and tired of candidates (for any office) who tell the public one thing to be elected and then turn around and cave in to special interest pressures. We won't beat Dubya with the usual "republican lite" candidate--and if we lose to Dubya, it had better be with a really good, HONEST fight. As grim as that would be, at least it would be honorable, which is not a word one can generally associate with politics these days. Howard Dean gives me great hope.

For the first time since the 60's and 70's I'm energized by a cause. For the first time, ever, I've actually donated cash to a presidential candidate.

Here in northern Vermont the buzz was that as much as we wanted our favorite son to make a showing, there was scepticism -- we are a small state and our aspirations are modest. We have been proud of our politics -- great Senators like Pat Leahy and Jim Jeffords. We have been innovators and leaders when it came to the environment and healthcare. We have sometimes been on the leading edge -- the original Vermont Constitution was the first to outlaw slavery in 1789...and we are the first state to understand that civil unions are a part of equal rights and tolerance of alternatives is an attribute.

We are a state that doesn't necessarilly put political labels on people. We have democrats that support responsible gun ownership and republicans that respect a woman's right to choose.

But right now I am proud that we are a state that has sent a straight-talking candidate into the political fray. Howard Dean is socially progressive and fiscally responsible. He understands that our country's power comes from positive leadership and not arrogant saber rattling.

And he understands, more than any candidate that I can remember, that we have the power to make a change.

This is such an incredible event. People coming together in a modern forum to support a candidate with a novel approach to government: let the people speak!

Saturday was the 225th anniversary of the battle of Monmouth, here in central New Jersey. This battle is widely regarded as the largest battle (# of troops and artillery) in the entire Revolution. To celebrate, the state park at Monmouth Courthouse hosted a BIG battle reenactment. There were over 2300 "actors" in the reenactment, and perhaps 10,000+ spectators.

During the reenactment, the historians pointed out that the unknown number of militia were probably what turned the battle toward the Colonial's favor. In short, average citizens took up arms in support of the military. Average citizens mobilized for something that they believed, and hence our country was formed and won.

So 225 years later, with the internet, the Dean camp carries on this tradition. A new victory for Citizens, instead of big politics.

Craig

Hey, less GOP-bashing please! I just made an internet contribution to Dean, and I am a Republican. I truly think that, by November, Howard will be powered by all kinds of people -- not just registered Democrats. When you've got a candidate as great as Dean, don't be afraid to share him with people you don't normally consider your allies!

I just received my thank you email with no place to submit my phone number! What gives?

So sad :( I wanted to get a call from the doctor today.

Jason S.

It's fantastic to see these numbers coming in like this, to be getting the media attention and hopefully making the other Dems realize that Dean is the only viable candidate in 2004. No disrespect intended for the other Dems, but they should just get out of the way and get the entire party behind Dean. We need FULL party unity to beat Bush (who raised $4M in one day), and everyone really really needs to understand that, and Dean is the only candidate with enough fire and brimstone and good solid ideas and presence to win. Kerry -- supposedly the only other viable Dem at this point -- sounds meager and pathetic in interviews (no fire) and at the risk of being too disparaging, Kerry just looks sad and forlorn. Dean is positively presidential in stature and message and passion. People Powered Howard in 2004!!! Go team!!!

I have pictures from Chicago's Pride Parade. Where should I send them?

Welcome into the fold, Richard! I'm currently workign on converting my Republican father to Dean. It's goign to be a tough conversion, but I have alot of tiem to wear him down. ;)

Just curious, what was it that, as a Republican, drew you to Dean? It might be good to know what it is abotu him that not only attracts liberals to his campaign, but moderate Republicans.

Thanks Richard...I've been thinking that there must be alot of republicans who don't like the direction Bush has taken us into with foriegn policy...And who appriciate Dean fiscal ideals

thanks...
JB

I just emailed a friend, with whom I've had debates about Howard Dean's "electability", with a friendly wager. I said that if she donated to the campaign today (she likes him but didn't think he stood much of a chance of winning), that I would buy her a nice dinner IF Dr. Dean doesn't win the Democratic nomination. I'm feeling more and more confident that I won't have to buy that dinner next spring.

Let's keep active and creative in getting as much support as possible.

People Powered Howard!

YES!!!

Folks, this is simply amazing...we held a fund raiser for Gov. Dean Saturday night...people who paid to attend came back the next day with even more donations. (Over $2000.00) Joe, the checks are on the way!

Thanks to Gov. Dean and all the Dean staffers who helped make our event a spectacular success!

Visiting FL today and there is a great article on the Dean fundraising in the Orlando Sentinel (sorry I can't get the website up to see if it's also online). The article points out the trouble their favorite sun Bob Graham may be in - and how Dean has raised more in the last 7 days than Graham will likely have raised in total. I'm guessing Lieberman is reeling as well. Go Dean!
Any other interesting local press coverage out there that's not already been posted here?

Speaking of Republicans for Dean...

Our website/blog deanindependents.org will be up and running next week. Everyone is welcome to check in and feel free to comment on our Dean articles/posts with an Independent feel.

It all depends on what the meaning of us is.
We assumed that when Bush said "You are either with us or against us.", he meant "U.S." the United States. It now appears he meant us; the rich and powerful. He raised around three and a half million from over twelve hundred of the rich and powerful. We raised three and a half million too, twelve thousand of us. We, as in "We the people" will contribute what every it takes to take our country back. The founding fathers risked their lives and their money to form this country, we must do all we can to keep it.

Dr. Dean makes house calls!!! Really? If you have a houseparty he will call? My kind of doctor!

More bang from matching funds!

Dr. Dean will probably score a much higher return from matching funds than other candidates, as he has many more small amount donors. I made sure to max out the $250 dollars for myself and my wife did also.

Keep up the good work everybody!

here's that orlando sentinel article - thanks for the heads up.

click my name for the link.

I just want everyone to know how excited I am about Dean for President! I've been spreading his name since November of last year and I'm excited that things are taking off so quickly now! Let's use this momentum to show the Bushies that we mean business! Yes, Dean has already achieved Dark Horse status and cast it aside to become an obvious frontrunner - and we're still half a year away from New Hampshire! Keep up the fabulous work!!!

This is great.

All the other campaigns are setting up phone banks to CALL massive amounts of people on the phone and BEG them for money.

Dean's campaign is ANSWERING the phone from people who want to give to Dean.

Talk about the initiative.

Beau

Great excerpt from that Orlando Sentinel piece:

Ironically, Dean's $3 million week -- $2.2 million alone coming from Internet-driven donations of typically $100 or less -- followed what was widely viewed as a bad day on NBC's Meet the Press. Host Tim Russert pummeled Dean with questions that Dean was sometimes unable to answer.

The Internet started buzzing that Sunday, Trippi says, and on one day alone, Friday, Dean's campaign collected $500,000 from Web-site-surfing donors.

"You could argue that Tim Russert helped him," Sabato said. "I had e-mail messages from 'Deanies' denouncing Russert and talking about his game of 'gotcha.' I think it helped Dean. They saw a charter member of the Beltway establishment belittling their guy, and they started contributing."

The 1 pm NPR newscast just broke the Dean fundraising story. Way to go!
Let's show DC that a democracy IS people-powered! I'd like to see W try to dismiss this "focus group"!

This is such a brilliant idea that someone should find a way to do it:

"Can you imagine if people were edcuated upon, and showed such an interest in, the spending priorities of Washington? If the Congressional pork budget was updated daily on an ever-expanding graphic of a pig? If the shrinking budget for police, firemen and schools was refreshed hourly as a sucking drain?" [Posted by Elizabeth at June 30, 2003 11:15 AM]

What better way to convince Americans that we're being had every minute of every day?! Is such a thing possible to create???

Anyone know how to email Garry Trudeau?

If he's going to be featuring Dean in his comic we ought to email Trudeau and let him know what we think of Dean.

I'm glad this is another free avenue to get Dean's name out there, but I also want to tell him Dean will NOT go down in flames.

I realize he wrote this comic before all this popularity has happened in the last week. I think it would be great if he got a lot of email from Dean's supporters and kept his comic on this topic (for as long as possible).

I tried Doonesbury.com but couldn't find a contact for Trudeau.

I'll keep checking this blog to see if anyone posts it.

Thanks.

FYI, McCain used to have a graphic of a pig and the amount of Pork spending in congress...don't know if it's still there...

Hey everyone!

I'm join the "first time I've ever contributed to a candidate" team. :) A recent college grad, I didn't have a lot of cash to throw Dr. Dean's way, but I gave what I could.

I've seen Howard Dean speak several times now (4 in person) - and I can honestly say that he's amazing. His energy is inspiring! And he's finally given us something to be excited about. A candidate who can help us take our country back!

Oh - and as for press... here, as I was sitting reading the comment board what did I hear? An NPR report on Howard Dean's campaign fundraising! It was a short news spot, but nice - mentioned that this was the largest ever internet campaign fundraising push, and said that we are well on our way to the 7 million mark! Let's hear it for NPR... they'll give us the press we deserve! (They even mentioned the thirty minute update - someone with NPR is keeping up with the blog...)

WE HAVE THE POWER!!!!

I was just wondering, does a donation postmarked prior to June 30 get the matching funds?

I sent a small donation via US Mail last Friday & I'm just curious if it will get matched.

Thanks,

Brent
Seattle Dean Supporter

I am elated to see that by noon eastern time we have almost hit the 6.5 million mark. This is huge!!!

After reading some of these post I see some very interesting things.

First thing I'd like to comment on, is the fact that the Kerry camp is claiming victory for having 11 million on hand after this quarter. However, when you take into account that last quarter they raised about 6.5-7 million that means that this quarter they only raised about 4.5-4 million dollars. Most unimpressive for the media crowned leader of the pack.

Second, with the number of small donations from thousands of people from across the nation, I wouldn't be surprised if after federal matching funds are added that we actually got 10-12 million out of this quarter. We can take on Kerry, we can take on GW Bush, because we are united in our stance for a leader that speaks for our values!

I am proud to be part of the movement. I am proud to have Governor Dean as our leader. I am proud of the thousands, and soon to be millions of Dean supporters across this great country. As the republicans try once again to over turn the constitution and offer amendments that will remove our rights, that have been upheld by the most conservative supreme court in our history, we will not go along willingly. We are committed to the good fight. I can see that by the actions of all those who are contributing not only money, but their time and energy, that we will take back this nation!

The line has been drawn, and the radical right can go no further. The american people have spoken this week. Change is coming, hope is coming, Howard Dean is our leader and we will fight until we have victory!

Tino Scifo
Austin, TX

This entire day, weekend, week is ridiculously exciting! It's so amazing to be a part of it.
I think this unstoppable energy and history in the making is not only destined for taking back our country, but may just be a sign that this is also the year for the Red Sox!
(by the way, does the good doctor have a favorite team?!)

GO DEAN!

kim
devoted Boston Deaner and red sox fan

Richard,
been saying all along when I figured it out, finally, that I don't hate Republicans, just these RINOs that are corrupting and polluting our country. Somebody said it better than I can: these aren't Eisenhower Republicans. A true R would be/has to be sick at what The Cabal is doing to our beloved Republic.
Red money, Blue money all spends green here to Take Our Country Back!

Anyone care to comment about this article on alternet today?

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16280

In a major foreign policy speech earlier this year, Dean, while calling for an end to Palestinian violence, did not call for an end to Israeli violence, let alone an end to the illegal Israeli occupation.

And when asked whether his views are closer to the dovish Americans for Peace Now (APN) or the right-wing, Sharon-supporting American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), he stated unequivocally in an interview with the Jewish weekly The Forward, "My view is closer to AIPAC's view."

"At one time the Peace Now view was important, but now Israel is under enormous pressure. We have to stop terrorism before peace negotiations," he said.

Similarly, Dean's official campaign position on solving the Palestinian-Israeli problem is that "terrorism against Israel must end," but there is no mention of the Israeli violence that has resulted in over 2,391 deaths since September 2000.

Last December, Dean told the Jerusalem Post that he unequivocally supported $8 billion in U.S. loan guarantees for Israel. "I believe that by providing Israel with the loan guarantees ... the US will be advancing its own interest," he said. His unconditional support for the loan package, in addition to $4 billion in outright grants, went further than even some of the most pro-Israel elements in the Bush administration, like Paul Wolfowitz, who wanted to at least include some vague restrictions like pushing Israel to curtail new settlements and accept a timetable to establish a Palestinian state.

Well, we're still on track (if the donations keep up the current pace) to reach $7 million, I think.

11:35am - $6,454,756
1:00pm - $6,534,157

That averages to just over $934 per minute between 11:35am and 1pm. To reach $7 million by midnight, we need to average $705 per minute for the next 11 hours. Think we can do it?

On Sen. Russ Feingold's (www.russfeingold.com) site, there is a way to contribute once a month automatically, until next November. It charges your credit card monthly, for whatever amount you specify (say, $50). You should look into setting this up on deanforamerica.com.

Also, that is correct about contributing - max of $2000 for the primary, and $2000 for the general election. So, $4000 for the election cycle.

this NPR report can only help get more people to the web site...and more..$$$ amazing

$7 million here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we can keep up the pace, we're gona make $7 million.

GO TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the best news of all: Alex Doonesbury is on board.

I am completly addicted to this weblog....(and the unofficial dean site)

(after today I will limit myself to just a few hours a day...)

Here's today's Doonesbury cartoon:

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html

As a registered DC voter, I'd like to encourage all the other Washingtonian Dean supporters to remember to keep plugging the doctor every chance you get at home. Unlike Iowa and NH, WE IN THE DISTRICT are actually the first place Dean will get to shine. So tell your friends and neighbors that come January, the first skirmish in the battle for the White House will begin in earnest.

Hi Folks-This is really exciting!
For those of you wondering about where to put your phone number, I re-read the blog post about it and it said that after you contribute, you will receive an email thanking you and asking for your phone number.

I,too,had never contributed to a campaign before this! Let's keep this steamroller rolling!

another $25,000 in HALF AN HOUR. If he can keep up that pace for a few hours, close to $7 million isn't out of the question.

i've already given four times this quarter, so i'm tapped out at the moment (although the off possibility of getting a phone call could push me towards donation No.5!), but tell friends and others to help us keep up this momentum

Mike

I'm addicted to this, too! Gotta get some work done....

Can you imagine this level of excitement throughout the campaign? What else can we do with this energy besides raise money? Get people to show up to events? Get people to register to vote? Get people to get out to the polls?

GO HOWARD GO!

The $6 to 7 Million Dollar Man!!

I understand the maximum contributions an invididual can give is $2000 for the primaries, and $2000 for the big election. And I understand the first $250 is federally matched.

Two questions:
1. Is $250 matched for each cycle (i.e., primaries and general election)?
2. When is the date that contributions cease to be counted against the primaries, and instead go toward the general election limit?

I was excited to see the poster I made for the UCLA Dean rally made the blog! (woo-hoo! see: http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/000513.html#more)

If anyone else would like to make these GIANT posters of Dean for their upcoming events, it's really easy...

Go to www.postersoftware.com and download the free poster software (they let you make something like 15 posters for free before you have to buy it) Take a picture of Dean from the internet and follow the directions. It basically divides the poster up and you puzzle it together on 8.5x11 paper to make a giant poster. I highly recommend it! (Although, I did it very discretely at work last week, and I'd like to thank my company for their donation of toner for the Dean Campaign)

For a couple months now I've been telling people when asked "But do you think Dean has a chance?" that "Dean doesn't just have a chance, he's going to win!" I say that because I get tired of people writing off Dean. I think he has a voice that speaks to many more Americans than any other candidate out there, including our tragic president.

Today is a great day. Perhaps now folks will ask "Do you think Dean can win?" My answer remains the same.

Just made yet another contribution to help put Howard over the $7 million mark today -- let's do it!

FYI - I am attempting to gather a comprehensive collection of campaign memorabilia related to Howard's historic run. The collection will ultimately be housed at a prominent museum in Vermont. Please contribute anything related to the campaign - buttons, fliers, stickers, banners - from your local, county, labor, special interest, or statewide campaign efforts. Thank you in advance, and I can reimburse postage if you'd like! Send an individual e-mail to me if you have something to contribute, and I'll forward on my mailing address. junglesteve_99@yahoo.com

Hi John,

The big problem that we're having now is that the current Israeli administration will only agree to negotiate if the US *strongly* reaffirms its support of Israel's right to secure itself. I think what Dean is saying is actually intended to send a signal to Israel that he has Israel's best interest in mind, so that it will be easier to negotiate a peace when he is elected.

Also, I'm not sure that Dean's policy on the Middle East Peace Process is 100% formed, so I encourage you to write the campaign with your thoughts. With a situation so complex, we need a balanced position.

Here are a couple of things that might ease your mind. On a house party call on Saturday night, Gov. Dean said the settlement issue must be resolved to bring peace to the Middle East.

Also, here's a quote from the speech to the CFR:
"While we focused on Iraq, The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was neglected. The President, despite knowing how critical his personal involvement was, refused to engage for over two full years squandering the momentum he inherited from the Clinton administration.

I am truly optimistic about the chances for peace in the Middle East. Our strongest asset is that majorities of both peoples in this conflict actually accept a two-state solution guaranteeing both sides security, sovereignty and dignity.

Most Israelis recognize that they will have to give back occupied land and give up settlements. Most Palestinians understand that there will never be a Palestinian state as long as terrorist attacks continue. Yet the Palestinians have assets that are often misunderstood. They have a high level of education. Palestinian women play a more significant role in government than in almost any other Arab society. And a large number of Palestinians have a significant experience with democracy having lived in Europe, the United States, and of course in Israel. Yassir Arafat is not the answer, but Abu Mazzen and Salim Fayed, who I met with in Jerusalem, may well be the answer."

...Jamie

Now compare this stunner with Dean's "Meet The Press" scrutiny about troop strength.

--Meeting last month at a sweltering U.S. base outside Doha, Qatar, with his
top Iraq commanders, President Bush skipped quickly past the niceties and
went straight to his chief political obsession: Where are the weapons of
mass destruction? Turning to his Baghdad proconsul, Paul Bremer, Bush asked,
"Are you in charge of finding WMD?" Bremer said no, he was not. Bush then
put the same question to his military commander, General Tommy Franks. But
Franks said it wasn't his job either. A little exasperated, Bush asked, So
who is in charge of finding WMD? After aides conferred for a moment, someone
volunteered the name of Stephen Cambone, a little-known deputy to Donald
Rumsfeld, back in Washington. Pause. "Who?" Bush asked.--

Which of the two is getting more coverage from the pundits?

Re Republicans for Dean: I feel that there's a movement coming about what it means to be a conservative and a republican. Do you agree with the radical head-in-the-sand strategies of our current administration? Science, technology, and a greater body of knowledge must contribute the ways that conservatives define themselves. For example, it is no longer any use to continually deny the effects of advanced societies on the environment. We can't continue to second-guess science and we must find out how to grow business, technology, democracies, and economies without destroying important resources and bankrupting huge populations. There are jobs and enormous advancements to be made in environmental technology. How can we make sure the United States remains a leader?

Conservative thought is not necessarily fundamentalist religious thought. See Andrew Sullivan's arguments about the importance of a strong secular tradition. Equal rights are part of very basis of our government--politics like a Straight Marriage Ammendment poison our living Constitution with the rigidity of fear.

Financial growth and national security are important conservative priorities--but this administration's policies should not define what it means to be conservative. Talk softly and carry a big stick, don't act rashly and swing wildly, like a drunk thrashing blindly at a pinata.

You don't have to be liberal to dislike this administration. Neo-cons are often paleo-cons. Let's evolve.
DV

john

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, along with Dean's potential support for a BBA, are positions of his I object to. However, I believe in time he will step back from his AIPAC-laced stance and see the light on this issue. I still support him despite my differences with him on this issue.

A bit OT, but anyone know when we can expect to see some new polling numbers from Iowa and New Hampshire? After this week, those numbers ought to be intriguing.

BTW, I was born and raised in Flushing, Queens. The 1986 Mets analogy is PRICELESS!

Waiting on your call, Governor! ;-)

Someone should announce prominently on the site that people can donate up to $2000 for the primary AND ANOTHER $2000 for the general elections. When I discovered this, I upped my donation, since I had been mistakenly saving some for the general election. This info could get us over the $7 mil mark!

If I could donate more, I would. I've donated $75 and that wasn't even in the budget. My new raise will all go towards the campaign though, starting August 1! GO DEAN!

Now, the Dean campaign just needs to use volunteers like the Wellstone campaign. I've called many many campaigns over the years, and believe it or not, the ONLY campaign that ever even CALLED ME BACK was the Wellstone campaign. I sent an email and got a CALL the NEXT MORNING from their volunteer coordinator. And I was from out of state!! Volunteers are a vital resource. I hope the Dean campaign does as good a job with volunteers as they are doing on this website.

I just told my 83 year old mom about what was happening. It made her smile!
She was so upset about her last vote she changed parties and became independent.
Now, she just contributed to Dr. Dean to give voice to her desire for difference.
We are all connected in this desire to see things done differently. We will present a new face to America.

Again Thank You,
Stephanie

Following up the Doonsebury talk, Trudeau has used inanimate objects to represent politicians in the past, so the obvious object to represent Dean is the baseball bat.

To the person questioning Dean's stance on Israel, Dean has stated he wants to bring people to the table to talk about peace. Don't jump on every little thing Dean has said, it's politics, and you do have to sometimes cater the message to the audience.

re: donations

Doesn't that count for a calendar year? $2000 per calendar year?

It looks like Dean will once again LEAD INSIDE POLITICS. Here's the IP website, with Howie on top:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/inside.politics/

"Presidential hopeful Howard Dean has hauled in a lot more money than most people had expected, adding new evidence to the case that the Dean campaign is here to stay."

Home Equity Liones of Credit are at all time low interest rates. Tap into yours today to give the maximum to Dean.

I have just made my first ever financial contribution for a political campaign, and I have to say that it feels great!

My wife and I are expecting our first born child to enter into the world any minute (she is due today), and although money is understandably tight for us right now, we consider our contribution as a very important way to spend our money since the future of our child is at stake.

I just had to throw this e-mail up here I got from my 76 year old mom who just got on the internet about 2 months ago. She just made her first ever contribution to a Presidential Candidate:

Delivered-To: dspiral@netaddict.com
X-Spam-Status: No, hits=2.6 required=5.0
From: Hinky@XXXXXX
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:37:42 EDT
Subject: (no subject)
To: dspiral@netaddict.com
X-Mailer: 8.0 for Windows sub 6014

Hey, Joe, my contribution is made to our next President, Howard Dean. Hope we bring him luck.

Love Ma

Woohoo! The top of the bat is at $7 million! At a rate of $50,000/hr, we can do it!

Well, Mike Doonesbury was John Anderson's campaign manager in 1980, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Joe Trippi show up in a panel sometime.

I gave another $25 today (because I realized today that I accidentally overpaid my car loan last month). Let's get that bat over $7 mils!

Everybody,

The Dean Campaign has officially raised the bar to $7million. Do everything you can, email anyone you know. If we can achieve this number it will mean that we brought in over $692,000 in one day. Let's make history again. Let's help Dean reach this goal. Let's take our country back!

...Jamie

I too contributed to Dean campaign. First time for any candidate in my 58 years! It is very exciting. Bush is going to tough to beat with his $20 million but you never know. Even Andrew Sullivan is considering Dean and you can't get more conservative than Andy.

One theme I've noticed on these blogs is all the first time donors or first time I've volunteered for a campaign, I being one of them. It's amazing that Dean's campaign can garner this much support. One question that I have to ask is why? I know why I am but I want to know is what is making these people contribute money/time/or both for the first time in the political process? It would be interesting to have people mention why. Maybe even have a poll on the main page of the Dean home page with several questions to people as to why they decided to give for the first time. This just goes to show that many people people out there are fed up with Bush and the way he's running the country. Let's continue to tap into that and let's keep this up!

Patrick: Wonderful! Congrats in advance! May your wife have an easy delivery and your baby be healthy.

Wow!

I'm a college student, so I don't have much extra money, but I contributed a couple days ago, and I might again today. I'm very optimistic about the good doctor, and it's great to see the outpouring of support on this site! Keep up the good work, everyone. Together, we can make a difference!

For me it's because he's a straight talker and he's not righteous, and he's courageous and bold with his positions. I first noticed him last August, I believe, on C-Span. I've never been so inspired!

I agree with 90% of his positions. I just wish he'd make a stronger statement on re-building the economy besides just repealling the tax cuts. How is he going to help the economy grow?

Jared -- YES! We need to have a "First-Time Activist/Donor" section, so people can say why Dean motivated them when no one else could.

This is so incredibly exciting! I hadn't checked the website for a day or two (I was canvassing up in Nashua on Saturday) -- then one of my fellow Deaners in Massachusetts (hi, kim!) called me yesterday and gleefully asked, "HAVE YOU SEEN THE WEBSITE??!!"

:-)

All this positive energy can only help as we move to the next critical stage: how to counter the anti-HD reaction within the Dem party and, no doubt, the media. The party especially needs to understand that they cannot ignore this many Dems, Greens, Independents, and fed up Republicans.

I just gave another $250. That's $850 so far.....

Time ZOnes... how do those work? Do people in CA have until Midnight EST, or until Midnight PST for it to count as a Q2 contribution? Just a thought tha tpopped into my head just now.

Here's a little insight into why the Dean campaign is rocketing off while the other Democrats' campaigns are gasping like beached fish.

In a typical election, the Republicans have 128 guaranteed electoral votes from small-to-medium states (Ala., Alaska, Ariz., Idaho, Ind., Kan., Miss., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.H., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Utah, Va., Wyo.), plus another 34 from Texas, a total of 162. The Democrats can only count on 57 (D.C., Hawaii, Md., Mass., Minn., Vt., W.Va., Wis.). Thus the Democrats can be sure of less than one-fourth the total they need to win; the Republicans are already three-fifths of the way there.

Now, if you've ever played the board game go (which I've found contains a lot of useful lessons that apply to political campaigning), you probably know the old rule of thumb that the player who is ahead plays a steady, defensive game, sealing up the territory he already controls, while the player who is behind has to take risks. Also, if your opponent is building up a large area of influence that he can turn into territory, you have to invade or reduce it before he can seal it off from you.

The electoral college setup is like a handicap game in which the Republicans start with a three-stone advantage. The Democrats, starting from behind, ought to be playing an aggressive attacking game. Instead, the recent pattern has been for them to play timidly and defensively, never seizing the initiative, never forcing the Republicans to react. You can't win a handicap game that way.

Dean, on the other hand, has seized and held the initiative, something the other Democrats have failed to do. This is why I and other voters feel so good about his campaign: He's taking risks. He's not marking time. He's not letting the Republicans dictate how the game will be played. It has nothing to do whether he's an anti-war, single-payer liberal or a gun-favoring, budget-balancing centrist. It's that he seems to understand sente: the play that forces the opponent to react rather than allow him to play where he wants.

Keep up the good work, guys, and if you've never played go, give it a try sometime. It's fun. :-)

I just donated my next 5 months' "smoking money" to Dean. Any smoker's out there? At a pack a day, you're spending $100/month. Join my little personal "Quit smoking for Dean" campaign and send that money in for the health of your country (and your body).

I'm up to $790+. When is the "$2000 for primaries" cutoff date?

Look at the wonderful people that are contributing people who really can't afford to yet we all feel we can't afford not to. We pinch our pennys and know we'll make the sacrafice to get our point across. The only thing I say is don't do what Mr Bush has done to our country don't go into debt. We need to start with a new mind set. Everyone be solvent.

Thanks,
Stephanie

People Have the Power

I was dreaming in my dreaming
of an aspect bright and fair
and my sleeping it was broken
but my dream it lingered near
in the form of shining valleys
where the pure air recognized
and my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
that the people / have the power
to redeem / the work of fools
upon the meek / the graces shower
it's decreed / the people RULE

The people have the power
The people have the power
The people have the power
The people have the power

.....

The power to dream / to rule
TO WRESTLE THE WORLD FROM FOOLS
it's decreed the people rule
it's decreed the people rule
LISTEN
I believe everything we dream
can come to pass through our union
we can turn the world around
we can turn the earth's revolution
we have the power
People have the power ...

Thank God for Patti Smith and Howard Dean!

Random suggestion of what to do with the big $$ that are sure to keep flowing in: Use the $$ to burrow these grassroots down deep. To quote Sen. Wellstone at a New Hampshire rally I once attended: Organize, organize, organize!

Once millions of Americans are united behind the Governor, buy a big block of air time and organize a good old-fashioned fireside chat when whole communities come together to watch and listen.

Our letters to Iowans will be only a beginning!
(Imagine how the Dean Nation could influence the electorate in a small state like, oh, say Rhode Island, with its moderate Republican senator in an overwhelmingly Democratic electorate, a state with a senator who should pull a Jeffords and become Independent for Dean!). We need to take back the House & Senate too!

I would imagine when this all over that some 30,000+ people will have donated to the Howard Dean campaign, 6 months before a primary, in a time of the year considered as slow for donations and candidate awareness.

If you take George Bush's $20,000,000 and divide by $2000, you get 10,000 donors.(We're beating Bush 3 to 1!) If I was Karl Rove, I'd be starting to worry that America is not all that happy with its current president. The common man has found a candidate to unite behind and the means ( the net) to do it. Something that Mr. Rove and the Republicans cannot control.

Count me in, folks... a 30-ish pro-choice, pro-Second Amendment, pro-queer rights feminist fed up with both major parties.

Before last week, I've never contributed to a political candidate. Just now I added a bit more to my first contribution, to be able to say that I'm part of this today. I'm mentioning this on my personal blog, have put a banner and links on my personal website and on the blog, and have signed up for the local Meetup for Wednesday night.

Watching this gather momentum is amazing. Maybe there's hope for our country yet...

WOW, so exciting!!!
We have given several times now and have never given money like this before. We have been to meet-ups and to house parties and will host one of our own next month. Didn't have enough time to get it in this month.

We are both laid off, our jobs going to places like Mexico, China or where ever else labor is dirt cheap. The "Great Bush Give-Away" tax cuts went to those whom have done this to us and to millions of other's just like us.

Go, Howard, Go!!!

We are American's and WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK!
Dave and Cheryl

I caught Howard Dean on TV in early May while I was visiting Seattle, and I saw his charisma and his character. It is exciting to see the upsurge of interest in him. My litmus test is education. What is his position on No Child Left Behind and testing and standardization. What is Mr. Dean's vision of education and government manhandling of our disintegrating learning culture?

I'm calculating WHEN to make my last donation of Q2. Don't need a call from Gov. Dean, MD. But I'll just take an invitation to the inaugural, thanks! A couple of Ball invites would be nice. Especially one to the Vermont one.

Thinking ahead to some really swell parties.

Nano

Being the dork that I am, I'm keeping a spreadsheet to track our average donations per minute, to give me an idea of what we might hit by midnight. Here are the stats as of the 2pm update. The zero hour was the 10 am People Powered Howard upodate:

Q2 Total So Far: $6,594,391.00
Minutes So Far: 240
Average per minute since 10am: $912.09
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,141,643.50

I find it hillarious that the bar keeps on being raised. Man, we're just kickin ass...lol

For all you NYCers, come to the Roxy. I'll be volunteering. I'm wearing the shiny purple shirt with the silver tie. Gotta look good for we're getting this man elected.

I only give money to campaigns that are truly speaking for me.
The only other campaign I ever contributed to was Paul Wellstones.

I also get a kick out of donating my Bush tax cut amount seperately.

Jeff, here's what Dean had to say about "Leave No Child Behind: "The President's education bill is the second largest unfunded mandate (after special education) in the history of federal education legislation. It is the largest reduction of local school board decision-making power in history."

The Governor has said that 'No Child Left Behind' is a misnomer. He has offered 'No School Board Left Standing' as an appropriate moniker. Governor Dean is fully committed to funding early childhood education, something which we should have been doing long ago. Dr. Dean believes that unfunded mandates passed by this administration and the President's tax-cuts have bankrupted social justice in this country and he is fully committed to reversing this trend.

I just wanted to echo what Laura said in her post at 1:30. I was an intern on Paul Wellstone's last campaign and the reason why Paul always won (and was going to win in the last election) was that all of his volunteers DID SOMETHING. It is not enough to have a big list, you have to put those people to work as well. This is what Paul did and if Dr. Dean does this as well, there is no doubt in my mind that he can win.

Jason S.

p.s. I am technically living below the poverty level right now but I have nevertheless just given my 6th donation for $200 total. I gotta try to get my phone call from the Doc!

Jeff, I work in education reform, policy, and research and I have to say Dean impressed me a great deal in education.

1) Vermont's record in education is very solid, and involves several statewide initiatives that represented just the right kind of teacher training and other elements researchers are finding to be critical.

2) Dean understands the state ofeducation reform nationally -- while suppoting state rather than federal mandates he's voiced support for the standards movement in general, and sees it's potential to focus attention on underserved students.

3) Dean knows NoChildLeftBehind inside and out, and can pick apart the NUMEROUS glaring, destructive elements in the law, as well as Bush's failure to even fund the mandate. I saw him speak on it on C-SPAN.

-Ben

Since 10am, we've averaged $27,363 per half hour. At that rate, we will break $7 million at 9:30pm!

I am a high school student in Portland, Oregon. I first met Howard Dean in October when he came to stump for our senate candidate Bill Bradbury (he is now co-chair of Oregon for Dean. I was amazed by Dean's integrity and intelligence and I feel that he has what it takes to turn around our country. When the school year starts in September I will organize a Students for Dean group at my school. Keep up the good work and keep donating!

GIVE'M HELL HOWARD!

Nice progress -- around $35K in a half an hour. At that rate, looking at something around $6.65M by 3pm EDT. To follow up on what a previous poster said -- is the deadline 12m EDT?

Assuming that's the figure we're looking at and 12m EDT is the deadline, it would take around $39K/hr for the remaining 9hrs to actually go a bit over $7M. Considering 1.30-2.00p was just under $35K, $39K+/hr is not out of the question, especially considering that you would have to think that the pace would only pick up between 6p-12m as people get home from work. Especially if things really pick up between 9p and midnight, it seems to me that $7.1M or $7.2M would be real possibilities. Considering where things were when the sun came up on 6/22, this is amazing...

Someone suggested what Dean should do with the moeny he gathers. To bad he couldn't pull a Ross Perot and buy some air time and use charts to explain what these tax cuts will do to the government over time. What they will do to Social Security over time. That really got Perot noticed and many people supported him (until he pulled that I'm in, now I'm out business). I know when Perot did that in 92 I was so impressed, it's made me a balanced budget fanatic ever since. One reason I'm behind Dean.

I kept thinking I couldn't afford to give anything (working mom supporting the family) and that I would just support Gov. Dean the best way I could. But reading everyone's excitement has really inspired me and made me feel like it was important enough to contribute what I could today (payday) before my other payments went out - so I gave $15.00.

I want the message to be loud and clear that it's every day regular Americans like me who are making this campaign work and who will put Gov. Dean in the White House. We really do count and we have the power together to change our country.

I'll check back all day to see if we make the $7 million goal!

Today was my 4th contribution ($100) and it came from the proceeds of a community yard sale that I participated in last Saturday. At the site of the sale I had a Howard Dean poster up and attached was my sign saying; "all proceeds go to Dean!"

Lots of folks asked about Howard Dean and I was able to explain his most significant positions.

Think "Yard Sale" as BOTH a source of dollars for Dean as well as out reach for getting others involved.

To encourage Jeff's rear-beating frenzy, I say raise the bar again, to 7.4 million. An even $10 Million for the first half of the year has a certain ring to it, "Hail to the chief" specifically. Lets make it happen!

One of my co-workers said it should be called "No Child Left Behind......Alone" Bush is leaving 'em all back there together!

Must read before posting. $7.1M may be a conservative estimate if the $7M mark is broken by somewhere around 9.30p. Man, what a news story $7M for this Q, much less anything over it, is going to make...

Sticking around online for the 2.30 update. Have to then pull myself away to get other things done. Don't want to. Stuff is addicting...

Greetings from the Big Sky!! This type of campaigning is made for rural America. Finally I feel like I will be heard and not discounted because of low electorial college votes!!! I put my money where my mouth is and for the second time backed my candidate of choice. Take the fight to them don't wait for the other candidates to attack. Dr. Dean's message has substance! The state's are sinking in debt, we have no exit plan for Iraq, our taxes are increasing as Social Security and Medicare are starved into insolvancy talk about that! Ask for the answers to those questions... MOST IMPORTANT I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE BUDGET SURPLUS WENT? AND WHO BENEFITED MOST FROM OUR CURRENT DEFICIT? SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

"As Democratic presidential contenders report their second-quarter fund-raising totals over the next few days, political professionals will scrutinize them for signs of strength or weakness. Former Vermont governor Howard Dean[base ']s campaign said Sunday it collected $6 million in the past three months, which could put him ahead of all other Democratic contenders for the quarter.

EVEN BEFORE DEAN REPORTED his total some Democratic strategists in Washington had begun to regard him as the front-runner in the battle for the nomination. His strong fund-raising performance will lend credence to the notion that Dean may be the man to beat at this point."

That was the lead in a Tom Curry story on MSNBC.com today. Do we want to be the front-runner just yet?

Elwin,
I LOVE the Yard Sale for Dean idea! I'm going to bring that up at the Indy meetup as a way for us to get some money for Dean. Local meetups could find a place to hold a Yard Sale, each person keeps track of their own profits and then donates that to the campaign as individual contributions. It could also serve as outreach for the community it is held in to get people who've never heard of Dean interested. You could have video of Dean's speeches running at a table with some food and snacks.

I think this could be a REALLY fun, easy and effective way not only to raise money but to get the word out. Gotta write that down. Thanks for the idea!

Today was payday, and I just stepped up and gave another $150. The first time I've ever dontated to a candidate, and now twice in one week!

I worked the Dean booth at yesterday's GLBT Pride Parade and Rally in Seattle, and it was amazing and gratifying to see the steady stream of people - of all ages, colors, orientations - who approached the booth eagerly, and bought merchandise or signed up to volunteer. More than once people paid with twenties and said "keep the change"! There is so much enthusiasm about Dean here in Seattle - I've never seen anything like it!

Go, Go Howard! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

The DNC has talked a great deal in recent years about the need to bring in big numbers of small donors and has invested heavily in programs and systems to help them meet this goal. They should be very excited about what the Dean campaign has done and how it can point to new ways and new funds for the party.

I'm 45 years old and have never seen anything like this in my life! This is phenominal! The half-hourly updates are great to read; keep sending them, Zephr and Mathew!

MeetUp tomorrow night is going to be great.

So I guess the free phone call offer isn't good for people who contribute to a house party? Grrr.

To all you folks in Burlington:

Enjoy tonight and I hope you all sleep like the dead until the morning of the 4th of July. You've earned a little rest. Don't want you burning out too soon!

And Leenee from Flushing- maybe when this is all over we can have Trippi tackle that mess in Shea Stadium......;-)

It's not even noon on the west coast, headquarters reports phone's ringing off the hook, on average Dean supporters will qualify for more matching funds (re: $250 limit), and what about mail in and phone pledges? Does the "Bat" reflect these other sources? It seems to me it will rise well over 7 million?

Thanks Governor for all you did for us in Vermont, now its time to help the nation and the world!

I just donated for the 5th time---I just can't help it. I am proud to be a Deaniac, and I hope we bury the other Dems when the final figures come out.

Then we bury Bush.

I think the campaign shouldn't spend this all in one place..... there could be rough days ahead, and Bush is raising SOOOOO much money. They should do as much grassroots organizing as possible and spend very wisely.... Given the Gov's Vermont record, I'm sure he won't have a problem doing that!

I hope the campaign people are reading these posts.

I wonder if perhaps 7.5 million would be a realistic goal for midnight?

We won't know unless we try.

The following is going to sound REALLY corny, but it does make sense.

Someone I know emailed me about Dean, urging me to support Dean. So I asked him why is he supporting Dean? What was it?

"In the never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way, Howard is the closest thing to Superman I've ever seen!"

You know, if you had to sum up Dr. Dean's platform, opinions and career, that's pretty much it in a nutshell.

Truth, Justice, and The American Way.

These totals ar eprobably a little low since they only incvlude online contributions recieved today and not snail mail contributions. When the snail mail is finally counted and todays online contributions come in I think we'll easily make 7 million. By the way does anyone know why come of the pictures on the blog aren't loading.

People in DC are stunned by Dr. Dean's success. They are stunned because a man who is not annointed by the DLC or "Talking Pointed" to death can succeed in American politics. DC has lost its soul. It's time to put the voice of the people back into the Peoples' Capital.

As of 2:30pm, we're still tracking for 9:24pm to pass $7 million.

Re: the greatness of Doonesbury, according to a quick politicalmoneyline.com campaign donor lookup, the following contribution was recorded:

Trudeau, Garry
2/3/2003 $2,000.00
New York, NY 10024
Universal Press Syndicate/Cartoonis -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

Way to go, Garry!

Summary of data so far...

Time: Amount: $ raised in last half-hour:
9:30 6359089
10:00 6375490 16401
10:30 6396502 21012
11:00 6422125 25623
11:30 6454756 32631
12:00 6480204 25448
12:30 6508688 28484
1:00 6534157 25469
1:30 6560832 26675
2:00 6594391 33559
2:30 6624007 29616

Spreadsheet powers activate: here's the projections after the 2:30pm update.

Q2 Total So Far: $6,624,007.00
Minutes So Far: 270
Average per minute since 10am: $920.43
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,148,654.00

The entire staff is on the phones asking for contributions -- on one TV we are watching a tape of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team win the "Miracle on Ice" on the other the 1969 World Series and the "Miracle Mets"

Keep the focus for the next 9 1/2 hours -- history and the miracle of people participating in their democracy again is happening!

People Powered Howard is real and rolling.

Thanks and keep it up.

Joe Trippi
campaign manager
Dean for America

I just donated a se ond time for Dean. His campaign excites me becuse he speaks to the heart af what is great aboout America--the common good. He is providing great moral leadership for all of us. Go Dean!!

Yeah, pls take it easy on "all" Repubs, Greens and Libertarians. We've got a lot of them in our MeetUps :) Even one (R) who worked for many yrs for a (R) governor and is totally embarrassed by GWB his administration...he one of our hardest workers and best contributors. This campaign is about bringing Americans together.

I feel slightly like a sucker at an auction, jolted by the energy high of all this, but I just added another $500 to the $200 + $200 + $100 I've already sent to the Dean campaign. Except for the DNC (and the Clinton Legal Aid Fund!), I've never contributed to any political campaign before. I can afford it, and my next effort will be to try to persuade all my like-minded liberal friends to contribute as well. A local "meet-up" helped charge my batteries, but Governor Dean does that well enough on his own. Great to see Dean in both "Doonesbury" and a full page column story in the NY Times this morning (for raising $9M). Obviously, the primary goal is to get Bush & Co. out of the White House before they do any more harm, and I will vote for whichever Democrat wins the nomination. But Dean talks truth to power, and is by far the most refreshing candidate of the lot. How I wish he had picked up a few more votes in the Move.on poll! Sometimes, you just have to have faith, in spite of the spiteful Republicans who insist that Dean would be their favorite candidate--on the presumption that he wouldn't stand a chance against GWB.

Bush stole the last election.. He hopes to buy the next . We will stop him and claim these united staes for it's people

I just sent out an appeal to my friends and family...My Mom just gave and she is a Republican!

What energy. What excitment. What a relief!!!
At long, long last. A VOICE!!!

I've heard the following from you folks, the campaign, or the media. Which will "hold?" Is there a concensus??
-People-Powered, Dean.
-Dean Nation
-We Have the Power!
-We Want Our Country Back!
-"Bat" Power.
-Take Back our Country
-Use the "Bat" to Take it Back
-Give um hell, Howard.
They all sound great to me. I get it!! Whew!!!

If this keeps up, and he outpaces all others, Gov. Dean deserves the cover of Time, Newsweek or USNews next Monday.

This is so unbelievable, Mindboggling. We are maintaining $25,000 every 30 minutes.
GO HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband has been out of work for over a year, is staring his own business, and I am retired. But I believe with all my heart that Dr.Dean is the antidote for the poison that has invaded our country. So I have contributed four times to help this campaign along the path to victory. As Dean has said, we have the power. And we are using it!!

P.S. I have never before given money to a candidate prior to the primaries.

Race to $7M -- need to average $41,777/hr for final 9hrs to hit the mark; however, this total does not include anything donated between 2.30p and 3.00p EDT, so that average will come down, maybe significantly. Another perspective, 1.30-2.30p was around $61K.

I know a lot of those phone calls to Dean HQ are just to make donations. The Dean campaign should get a high-tech (what other kind for Dean?) phone system like 1-800-555-TELL (call it to hear what I'm talking about), which can not only accept donations, but get people in touch with local people by just saying the name of their city, give people customizable directions to Meetups, and do a whole bunch of other cool stuff. It would be just another high-tech solution from Team Dean, and it would relieve a lot of staff from phone duty so they can do more strategic work.

Here's what my friend just wrote to me:

"ok. i am convinced. and now i have for the first
time given money to a political campaign. may it be
the first of many successful pledges of support."

See what leaning on our friends can do? go, howard!!

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

~Gandhi

As a Mets fan (harder than being a Democrat these days) I can only add:
you gotta believe!

Joe Trippi, the first two episodes from the second season of the West Wing are also good video choices.

I have added my name to the contributors list. After touting Howard Dean to my many close friends, it was time to put my money where my mouth was. Like so many of the others mentioned this is my first ever contribution to any politician.

Lets just say that in some way freedom relates to the value we put on it and the action we are willing to put forth to protect it. That is what made it easy to make the decision to donate. I wish it could be said that my action in this case was equal to the value, but at least it is a start. I hope every person that believes in Howard Dean and realize that he represents a sea of positive change for all Americans and our basic rights under the Constitution, will come to the same conclusion. Any contribution is worthwhile and necessary to wrestle the power of government out of the hands of beltway politicians and place it squarely back with the citizens of our great nation. We need the good doctor. Go Howard. God Bless and God Speed.

Just another reason by this unprecedented surge-

We are in tough economic times, folks. I'm just wondering...How many of us have been truly worried about making ends meet from month to month? And how many of us have found a way to give again?

I want something that might seem impossible. It's also really corny, but I came from a small town where the 4th of July was a big thing, and I loved it. Our town did the whole thing, the big fireworks over the lake, the picnics, the 1812 Overture, the candidates working the crowd...It's still one of my favorite holidays, and though I struggle with the co-opting of the flag by the radical right wing and war supporters, I love this country and call myself a patriot.

I want us to reach $7.4 million by midnight tonight. I know I can't hope for that outcome unless I'm willing to give again. So, I'm giving $74.03 to thank Howard Dean for re-awakening and energizing my love for this country and its people. Thanks for curing my heartache, Dr. Dean, don't I owe you a check?

Go Dean!

I have finally found the antedote for my 2 1/2 year depression aka "Dupya's nightmare for America." Thank you Dr. Dean and fellow blogs (whatever that means). Your positions, your passions, your speeches are wonderful. I know that you are strong enough to handle the $200 million carpet bombing that the right wing is planning for you. God and Goddess Bless!

I contributed a small amount, but what I could afford, $25 (twice so far) and plan to contribute again today, because when Howard Dean emerges as the Democratic front runner, I will be proud to say that I was a part of the movement that put him there! I feel so empowered by this.

I can't help it, I've approached family members and coworkers, and said, please just check out the website and then contribute today if you can.

Thank you Dr. Dean! Our democracy is _supposed_ to be PEOPLE-POWERED, and you are the first candidate to run a campaign truly based on representing the people.

I think the media and other candidates think Dr. Dean's power comes from the internet and it doesn't... it's just a tool that lets us hear each other, when big money and the media want to tune the people out. It's what Dr. Dean has to say and who he is as a person that motivates me and to get involved.

Dr. Dean and his campaign staff deserve the excitement they are generating and I have every confidence that we can take our energized base and accomplish great things. I don't think I am the only one who has resolved to act and not just read the web updates, whether its attending Meetups, volunteering or telling as many people as I can.

Reading everyone's comments reminded me that Dr. Dean may just be a candidate for all parties, independent, green, democratic and republican. I will try to stay away from divisive language in my communications and appeal to the intelligence and integrity of every person I talk to. I will definitely be encouraging non-voters to register and to vote, so that the people may be heard.

Dr. Dean, you may be a people-powered candidate, but your candidacy empowers us. Thanks for running!

Great job to the Dean campaign and web teams!

I am looking forward to standing up for democracy with Dr. Dean!

I'm jazzed. There's no other word for it ... jazzed! The feeling of "it's possible!" is just surging through me. I haven't felt this energized since November of 2000. The grassroots method is what this country was based on and it feels great to get it back. Don't think Bush isn't eyeing this closely, you bet he is, and his little cronies, too, and they're starting to wonder ....

Well ... they'd ... better!! Start watching your back, boys (and Condi)

Stacy
Redmond, WA

I just told my roommate that we could make it to $7 million by midnight. He's been laid off most of his hours from his job and he's basically broke, but he's going to send in $20 anyway.

Yes! The bat has been updated to a goal of $7M!!! Make it $7.4 for the 4th of July, Joe!

Let's go, people!

Hey-- How about brining back the"bus" trips rolling through the country? All Gore's train just wasn't the same.

Jason and jb asked (see above) why a Republican like me would support Howard. I have to admit that I agree with almost none of Howard's actual views! But I am tickled pink by his integrity, straightforwardness, and honesty. I guess when it comes right down to it, I am much less concerned about policy than character (and I actually do care about policy a great deal).

I supported McCain, and now I am supporting Howard. Obviously, ideology is not the common link. Integrity is.

Anyone else feel this way?

Here[base ']s my special essay:

"Why I chose Howard Dean for my "First-Time Activist/ Donor" Experience"
I don[base ']t doubt that all of us non-active, non-political types have woken up and joined in because of the horrors being perpetrated by the current regime. So what led me to Howard Dean in particular? I don't recall what directed my interest to him (I think I read about him in some random blog). I knew nothing at all about him but I decided to join the Dean Meetup group in my area shortly before the big June 23rd rally, mainly because no other candidate was offering an opportunity to be so involved. I also decided not just to join the group, but to contribute my time & energy to it by volunteering to help the group set up for the rally. I have to say that the very first thing that really committed me to Howard Dean was not the man himself but the people, the regular everyday people, who are passionately committed to him. You guys are one of Dr. Dean[base ']s greatest assets! :) I really started doing my Dean research after coming into contact with so many amazing people who seemed to be crazy for Dr. Dean. I mean, if all of these smart, likeable, committed people believe in him, he must be a great guy. It didn[base ']t take much for me to become just as committed to him as you guys are. The final clincher was the June 23rd speech. It really moved & inspired me. Being in a room full of people who also felt moved & inspired was electric. It kept me happy for days. (Actually, I[base ']m still coasting on that buzz!) Everything since then has been amazing. So, to sum up, if it hadn[base ']t been for the amazing dedication & excitement of the people who are committed to Dr. Dean, I may have walked away uninspired & uncommitted. But your passion & conviction fueled my interest & helped make me a believer, too. Keep all of that positive energy flowing!

I am going to make a second contribution to try and get to the $7 million mark. AS the Economist said, Dean is riding "the tiger"-- their implication was that it will devour him if he gets off. My interpretation is that Dean can crystalize the anger against what Bush has done to this country, and can reclaim some of our basic democracy from the corporate contributors, lobbyists, and media bloviators, who want to call the election before it even happens.

We are witnessing the saving of democracy by the Internet. The Second American Revolution! The ultimate Revenge of the Nerds!

"And Leenee from Flushing- maybe when this is all over we can have Trippi tackle that mess in Shea Stadium......;-)"

Lost in NJ: Lord knows, someone's got to! :-)

The mentions of Wellstone are interesting... yes, he had the same effect on me as Dean does now... I also contributed to Wellstone, even though I live in Georgia... he and Bill Bradley were my "guys" back then... I predicted Jimmy Carter AND Bill Clinton, when both were practically unknown....

*****DEAN is Going All the Way in 2004!!!! ******

I'm yet another person who has never donated to a campaign before. There seem to be a lot of questions about limits and matching, etc. -- and the FEC website isn't very helpful -- poorly designed and organized, so it's hard to find answers. As we head into the 3rd quarter and the Dean campaign continues to build momentum, an FAQ about the ins and outs of donating would be a great addition to this site. I'm incredibly impressed by the site and the updates and the online community this campaign is creating. Keep up the good work -- you used the Internet to reach me and convinced me to get involved for the first time in my life.

Well, since we're all hanging out in here today...

In the spirit of Dr Dean, I would like to issue a blanket apology to any nice Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, or Independents that I may have annoyed with any generalized remarks about their party affiliations. :)

And Welcome to the campaign! Go Dean!

I think it's going to feel kind of weird to be working for the "big $" candidate. Does this mean we get to start saying stuff like, "Gephardt is a good guy and all, but you need to be able to run a national campaign and I just don't think he's viable" or "I guess Lieberman can keep up his guerilla campaign to the special interests, but he doesn't have the money to make it through the primary season"'

Finally I have hope again. Howard Dean is the light at the end of the Bush tunnel.

If you have friends who don't have Internet access (yes, some people do not), download the PDF contribution form on the contribution page, print it and pass it out.

I got two people to give this way, who ordinarily wouldn't have. Unfortunately, it has to be mailed, so it'll be too late for this quarter. (Dean staff, any possibility of putting a fax number on this thing?)

I'm brown bagging lunch 3 days a week; I figure I can save up $20 a week that way, or approx. $80 a month, which I will donate to the Dean campaign. I think most of us can think of some little thing we can give up WITHOUT PAIN. I piddle away at least $20 a week on junk, which would be better invested in our future! Someone's Stop Smoking For Dean idea was a great idea!

$6,624,007 and STILL counting, as of 2:30pm EDT...way to GO!

I'm donating again today for lots of reasons, but the one I want to highlight is that I recently got a mailing from the Dean campaign in the form of a survey, and the first issue on the survey is EDUCATION. Howard Dean has been a strong voice against the hijacking of this issue by the Bush administration -- "No Child Left Behind" is about punishing public schools, sowing confusion, and in the process opening doors for those business interests who see big bucks in education. NCLB is as cynical as its name, stolen by Bush from the Children's Defense Fund. Keep on telling the truth, Dr. Dean!

I can't wait until Midnight! I'm obsessed with watching the update...and whipping out my credit card for the umpteenth time. Thank goodness tomorrow will be back to normal and I can finally get some work done.

Mr. Trippi - Another good video choice is Bobby Thomson's "Shot heard 'round the world" aka "The miracle at Coogan's Bluff".

I made my first-ever political contribution earlier. Go Dean!

Richard,
thanks for taking the time to tell us what brought you to Dean. I think that the whole campaign should listen to what you wrote, because I think it says alot about how we can change the tone (for real, not just pretend) in politics and attract an even larger support base.

As Richard said:
"I guess when it comes right down to it, I am much less concerned about policy than character (and I actually do care about policy a great deal)."

I've said for years to friends, jokingly, "wouldn't it be great to see a candidate run for president who just says what he feels, polls be damned, and if he doesn't know the answer to something he actually says that he doesn't know?" I never thought it was really possible until now.

Thank you Dr. Dean!

I just checked Fox News on TV to see if they were saying anything about Dean and--hey--their live report was just mentioning how "the blogs are projecting it may be as high as 7 million" (that's as close to the quote as I can remember) and a lot of other stuff about how "viable" Dean is. They must be reading here. ***waving with the utmost politeness to Fox News*** $7M-plus here we come! ***reaching for wallet again***

Hey All Democrats (I'm a "yellow-dog democrat" myself"), let's welcome "Richard the Republican" and all like him. He's right ... integrity and honesty plain-speaking and TRUE values are IT. Hooray for Richard!

The greatest moment in my political life was being able to talk with Paul Wellstone and his wife in a little video store one night before the 1996 election, and then being able to vote for him. Okay, so there may be a good deal of ideological differences between Wellstone and Dean. But it's the integrity and the absolute humanity of the men that you just can't help but respond to.

I've been laid off three times in three years, and am now not making very much ... but I gave $100 today. My first-ever political contribution, like so many others.

One person at a time ...

I promise, from this day forward, not to make rude comments about my fellow Dems, Greens, individual Republicans, and supporters of other Democratic candidates.

This promise does not include the DLC, Karl Rove or any member of the Bush administration...except that poor guy who got the lousy job of running the Transportation Dept, Matsuda, the token Democrat.

(still calculating when do do my last donation of Q2)

Amanda, you Gandhi quote SEZ it all.

We should auction it off as a tagline!

Or needlepoint it for headquarters.

Hey folks!

Calling all Bostonians-- I started today and now Kori just emailed me from this B-log and we agreed to flyer together downtown (maybe Boston Common) this Wednesday and Thursday -- anyone else want to join? Drop me an email.

We especially need people with Dean hats :-)

The real story behind the story is the number of first-time contributors/activists (like myself) that Dr. Dean is inspiring. I see it all over this thread, and at each of the Meetups. Inside-the-Beltway types don't get it, because it's as new to them as it is to us!

Throw in the straght-talking appeal to McCain-leaning Independents and continued Bushie fumbling of Iraq and the economy, and President Dean looks almost a certainty...

Here's yet another projection from my spreadsheet. The only thing holdign us back from 7pm is a nighttime slowdown in contributions, I think.

Q2 Total So Far: $6,647,296.00
Minutes So Far: 300
Average per minute since 10am:$906.02
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,136,546.80

3pm update: We're tracking for 9:29pm now to pass $7 million. We slipped five minutes.

Ok, this is too much fun:

Morph the presidential candidates!
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blelection2004morph.htm

that should have read "the only thing holding us back from $7 million..."

WHo knows where 7pm came from! heh. the excitement is gettign to my head. :)

Howard Dean... IS PEOPLE!

In the last half hour, Our Next President has averaged $881.92 per minute, and $14.70 PER SECOND!

Yeah Howard!

Notice how all the half-hour updates say: As of X PM ET, Howard Dean has raised $X *ONLINE* today -- there's even more flowing in offline! And I can't wait to hear the (8-figure?) total that includes federal matching funds!

You've got to tell them! Howard Dean... IS PEOPLE!

The Doonesbury cartoon
http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html
is not entirely favorable to us, imo. I mean, "...even if it means blowing up the party and going down in flames"? Come on. We're campaigning for the whole enchilada. I chose Dean on only one criterion: electability.

There are a lot of people out there who call themselves "fiscal conservatives". They have a habit of voting Republican, but their party has abandoned them. There are a lot of people out there who have a habit of voting Republican because that's what everyone does in most of *rural* America, but Dean can "do rural" better than anyone else in the running, including Bush. Remember 1992? Bush is only going to get the Bush voters, but Dean is going to get both the Clinton voters and the Perot voters. Remember the "Reagan Democrats"? The time when the political world changes is when a major candidate of one party appeals to a big section of the other party's base that's ready to leave their party because they feel their party has left them.

On the subject of matching funds: funds for the primary are matched, but I think federal funds for the general election are a fixed amount no matter how much or how little we donate. It would make sense, because you have to get the accounting done before the Feds can know how much to match, and they can't do that for donations made right up to the general election.

This is great. I just put in my second political donation ever, both to Dean.

Blake Carper
One of the many people behind People Powered Howard.

I'm curious....

How many here have never participated in the election process before?

Haven't voted? Felt left out? Just turned 18?

The New York Post ran fairly good story about Howard Dean yesterday. Now, you can have two opinions about the Murdoch empire giving even-handed coverage of a Democratic candidate.

Either, 1) They think he's the easiest candidate to beat and are promoting him as a straw figure in the match against Bush, or 2) Murdoch is intrigued by a centrist, pro-business Democrat who can stand up against the GOP on Iraq and stand up against the DNC on gun control, and still reel in money from both the Left and Right like nobody's business.

If it's 1), the strategy is going to backfire like crazy. If it's 2), welcome to the party, Rupert. Get out your checkbook and see how far this candidate will go.

The thing that is amazing to me about Dean so far is that he demonstrates how, if you hold a center position solidly and with integrity, the center gets so big that there is room for both the Left and Right in it, all the way out to the extremes.

See all you New York folks at the Roxy at 8:00 sharp.

This is really getting me excited! I had given up all hope after the election of 2000. I feel as hopeful as I did in 1992 when the dems took their show on the road after the convention! I gave what I could today. How about a payroll deduction plan? Can that be arranged?

Also---everyone flood the political chatrooms today with this address! I'll be on Yahoo tonite, promoting this site! Thank you DeanforAmerica for giving us somewhere to hang our hats.

Good thing I already lost my job. I'm so obsessed with this blog I haven't even showered yet...

I have a suggestion for movies to play.

I would put "The Natural" on at exactly 9:47. Then, when midnight rolls around 2 hours and 13 minutes later, Roy Hobbs will be hitting the ball into the lights! (sorry to spoil the ending)

Trust me. You will all cry. (Out of joy, of course).

Beau

ONP! Our Next President! Howard Dean, ONP.

Diggin' it!

I'm having trouble donating online - the web site won't work. Is anyone else having this problem?

You've got to warn everyone and tell them! Howard Dean is made of people! You've got to tell them! Howard Dean is people!

The law is, a limit of $2000 per election, per candidate. A primary (nominating) election, a general election, and a run-off election are all considered seperate elections, with a seperate cap on each.

Regarding when the primary cut-off date is - it depends on the state you live in. Wisconsin, my state's primary, is Feb 17th. Which means from now until Feb 17th, I can contribute $2000 to Howard Dean, and then after Feb 17th, another $2000.

I'm not sure how it works for states which have caucauses...

Question: Isn't Dean doing two large fundraisers tonight in New York? Won't the earnings from those fundraisers be added into the total as long as they are earned prior to Midnight tonight?

Another entry on the TNR primary regarding the fundraising. The good doctor gets another "A"!

http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=514

Jason S.

Dear Dr. Dean,

I just found out that two thirds of my department, including myself, will be laid off.

These are biomedical engineers and technicians that work for researchers and hospitals to develop life-saving technologies. They will be out of a job on the whim of a money-crazed "higher-ups" that understand nothing about vision, about service, about dedication to your work.

While we see corruption hit close to home, perverted values like these inevitably trickle down from the high seats of power. If the state of Texas (where i live) makes the decision to cut 50 million from our University's budget, it is is because of the devastating deficits and fiscal irresponsibility created by this administration.

In several weeks I will no longer have the job I love. But I will continue working - to get you into the White House.

Alex
Dickinson, TX

some of the events tonight are prepaid...but I'm sure many will not be and so be added on!!

CAN WE HAVE A FRESH THREAD PLEASE?

This one has gotten way too long already!

I have a question for you campaign finance gurus out there. If you can contribute $2000 in the primary and then turnaround and contribute $2000 for the general election ... does that mean that the candidate can use any left-over primary money for the general election? What if no one seriously challenges Bush in the Republican primary? Does this mean that his contributors can effectively give $4000 for the general election? If so, that seems like a serious disadvantage for the Democrats.

Hey!

Zephyr just got a shout-out on CBS News. com:

(http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/30/politics/main561070.shtml)

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean: Steve Grossman, 56, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and unsuccessful 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, is chairman of Dean's finance team. Grossman, former president of the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, signed-on with Dean very early, and having the former party chairman lent credibility to his then-fledgling campaign.

Dean's real fundraising chairman, however, is probably whoever invented the Internet, not to mention the owners of www.meetup.com. Dean’s techie staff, including Zephyr Teachout, have been making web connections payoff. Dean’s campaign was the first to reach the $1 million threshold in funds raised on the Web, and that was more than a month ago. Dean will be well over $2 million in Web funds in Monday's filing. Aides say Dean even had a one-day online take last Friday of over $500,000.

Creamed Corn wrote:
: Howard Dean... IS PEOPLE!

Thanks, CC. That's probably the best laugh I've had all week.

This is a great four days for me, personally. On Friday, my Red Sox got 11 runs before the first out, for the last two days I've been able to relax more than I have in months, and today, we're pushing Howard Dean over $7 million, when two weeks ago no one was thinking over $4 million.

These people are what make America great. Let's give 'em hell!

Seems the only "special interest" Dean will be working for is the American people. This is amazing.

$352,704 needed in 9hrs to hit $7M.

is 5pm ET the deadline? or does it go later?

I honestly think Howard is the MOST electable of the Democratic candidates. The main criteria needed for this, in my opinion, is a message and vision that is a true alternative to Bush and the R's. As we saw in the midterms, going "Republican Light" won't cut it. Does this mean he's too left to be elected? Look at the polls: people overwhelmingly want universal health coverage, think corporations have too much power, distrust global trade arrangements (and that's without knowing the scary details!), favor international agreements and a cooperative foreign policy, want environmental protection, increased educational spending, and so on.

I can envision few Democrats sticking it to Bush in a debate and being able to clearly differentiate themselves... and give people a real choice. Kucinich yes, and I have total respect for him, but Howard is rock solid whereas Dennis seems much more attackable and, I don't want to be patriarchal, but image-wise appears weaker.

Any favorable mention of Dean in the New York Post can only be taken as setting up the 'straw man'. Republican conventional wisdom is that Dean is loony left and will be McGovern II. Of course, conventional wisdom also said you can't run a campaign on the internet and Dean could never raise enough money to be a viable candidate.

When he gets the nomination, the Post will be on him daily. Just look what they do to Hillary as a guide to what they'll do to Dean. It's not pretty; every picture will be unflattering, every quote will be taken out of context.

And I'll keep using the Post for what it's best used for. Wrapping used kitty litter.

5 more minutes for the 3:30 numbers... the anticipation is a killer ;)

Richard-

I was raised Republican, and my mother still VERY much is. I left that party for a number of reasons, all of which the Bush Administration exemplifies.

That said, I[base ']ll be proud to walk with you as we take the White House back from the extremists. I hope, you are the first of many.

Dean, the Big money canidate... This is great.

Who do you think will be the first to say that Dean is feuled by "Hollywood" money.

Along with the money race, meetup 70 away from 46K.

Thanks, Matt Coffell, for the info on the cutoff date being one's own state primary.

Can you also answer my other question: Does the $250 federal matching funds also restart at the next election phase?

It's POSSIBLE!

If the present rate of contributions contiue, we will reach $7,000,000 in 6 1/2 hours!!!

We CAN do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really can't afford it, but I am going to make another small donation. (my third) There are a few things that I very much disagree with the governor on, but his willingness to stand up for what he believes in and loudly and unequivocally challenge Bush just blows me away. I have on occasion given money to politicans before, but this is the first time I've ever really felt a part of a campaign. I big time second the kudos for the Internet team.

OT-- when Lieberman comes in dead last in fundraising, I think we should deluge him in polite letters and faxes urging him to step down and offer his support and services to the gov 'for the good of party'.

Wow, TNR nails it with this paragraph....

any fan of democracy has to feel good about what Dean has done. Raising money is typically an exercise in political prostitution, with politicians promising (some reluctantly, some enthusiastically) to please fat-cat financiers in exchange for their donations. Dean, by contrast, has raised his money by collecting smaller donations from thousands of individuals whom he has inspired. (Among the major candidates, Dean had the lowest average donation during the first quarter--and is all but certain to enjoy the same distinction this time around.) That means Dean's fundraising is a far closer approximation of his actual support--measured either in intensity, or sheer numbers of backers, or both--than we're accustomed to seeing in American politics. And at a time when money all too frequently skews public policy away from public opinion, that's worth cheering.

Give me a warm and fuzzy. Off to donate again.

OK, OK, I gave. I've given my time (personally and professionally) to the campaign, but now, after all of this, I made my first campaign donation (but probably not my last). I couldn't resist the tent-revival feeling. And, Howard's the real deal: integrity, humanity, everything you'd want in a politician.

Brian Young

It's POSSIBLE!

If the present rate of contributions continue, we will reach $7,000,000 in 6 1/2 hours!!!

We CAN do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll say it again. This is phenomenal. Nothing like this has ever happened before!

CNN just mentioned how much money the campaign is bringing in, guys. Some follow-up, apparently, on Inside Politics at 2:00 Mountain time (I'm in Colorado). So in about half an hour...

Trippi, you are a genius. I can't believe this!

Dean is so NOT 'left'. He's always been straight with us (no pun intended) about his stances on the issues, and has clearly shown that he's liberal on social issues, conservative on fiscal. That seems pretty middle-of-the-road to me, and that's the winning combination, folks!

I think the far right is completely terrified, and believe me, I *relish* that thought!

Please go to your favorite anti-war/Bush site and tell them about what we are trying to do here. A list of URL addresses can be found at the very bottom of BUZZFLASH.com. Below is a simple sample. We have to make that $7 million for Dean:

http://www.blogforamerica.com/
Howard Dean's website is raising an average of about $25,000 per 1/2 hour. They are trying to reach 7 million before midnight. Please, post their site on your page for his supporters who may not know what excitment is taking place there. Almost 7 million. It's incredible.
Please help!!

Come on, lucky number 7!!!

I completely fell for the Howard Dean phone call lottery. It's brilliant!

Judy Woodruff anchors CNN's "Live From" from 3-3:30 ET, and at the end, she promotes Inside Politics, which is at 4pm. Her only promo line today? "Money talks, and it appears Howard Dean has a lot of it." ADAD! All Dean All Day!

9 hours? What about the West coast. We have 12 hours left to push up Dean's total.

Oregon challenge!

I challenge 5 Oregon residents to donate $100 in the next hour. Show them that it isn't all east coast money driving this campaign.

re: headquarters inspiration

Someone should be reading these posts aloud to the staffers and volunteers on the phone.

Damn, you fall asleep for a few hours and when you wake up, your man has already gone through the roof! I made my 5th donation today, of $100.01, because I find it so hard to resist those e-appeals once I consider how important our momentum is. I know I've pushed myself over the $250 limit, but this is going all the way. I think it's becoming clearer everyday.

Oh, and I've gotten very positive responses to my "De-mails" from both the dean of my law school and one of my professors. It's like selling water in the Sahara!

click my name to see the TNR article that completely misconstrue's dean's ideas about gun control. below is the letter i've written to them. a bit more inflammatory than i intended, but i'm excitable today.

Dear Editors:

Michael Crowley's May 16th article on Howard Dean's gun control policy is the most ill-informed article of all the articles talking about the various democratic candidates.

Dean's policy, as anyone who's even superficially familiar with his stance knows, is to keep all current gun laws and to allow states to vary. As he says, New York and California have different gun control needs than Vermont and Colorado.

So far from believing "weaker gun laws are the answer to, say, gang warfare in South Central L.A." he's happy to let Vermont have its freedom and let L.A. have the control it needs. Only someone totally biased or else ignorant would come away with any other impression from hearing Dean speak or reading his website.

I strongly suggest you get a different writer to evaluate Dean's position.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=about_issues_gunlaws
http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=395

As of 3:30 PM ET, Howard Dean has raised $359,116 online today, bringing our total for the quarter to $6,666,344.

As to why I am a first time contributor, I guess my first priority is getting Bush out of the White House! That has really inspired me to a new level of activism...

This may have been said before, but remember that lovely tax break "Resident" Bush gave us? Mine is about $6 a week. My calculation is $312 for the year. Since I wasn't planning on that anyway, I figure I can contribute it to defeating Bush in 2004. I challenge all fellow taxpayers who did not support this tax break to do the same!

Next I considered which candidates' views on the issues are closest to my priorities: Kucinich, Moseley-Braun and then Dean. Dean seemed the most electable of the three, so I continued to call the Dean headquarters with questions on more of his positions. Even ones I didn't totally agree with seemed at least well thought out and reasonable, leaving me to think that they might make him more appealing to a wider group than those with my socially very liberal views.

Then I heard Dean's speech at the California Democratic Convention on C-Span and WOW! What passion, what charisma, pulling no punches and challenging those Dems who "go along to get along"
to get a spine.

I thought, THIS GUY CAN WIN!!! This guy GET US OUT OF THE BUSHES!!! And each time I've seen him speak, I've been impressed all over again. Keep up the good work Governor Dr.(soon to be President) Dean!

So there you have it. My first presidential campaign donation, and not my last!;-)

Just gave considerable donation. I'll give more once we get close to $7M. I think this campaign shows that we all as Americans can take our country back from the ideologues, the talking heads and special interest. How about this for a line: "The only special interest I have is the American People." I doubt that anyone running for the presidecny can say that. BTW, another Independent for Dean who will vote in a Democratic caucus for the first time and has given his first political contribution.

And now... as the money goes up and up and up,... let's crack 50,000 for the July 2nd Meetup!! It's almost at 46,000 now. Put the pressure on!!

For my birthday, I decided to GIVE, yet again to the Dean campaign. As the old addage goes, it's better to give than to receive...This is my fourth contribution this month! And a special thanks to my partner for donating in my name--I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift. LOVE ya E!

Mark

Everyone, go to all the forums and chatrooms you frequent and change your avatar to Howard Dean, change your tagline to something like "Visit the first Presidential blog in history at www.BlogforAmerica.com! It's too cool to miss!" Spread the word all over the Internet! There's a lot of fresh blood out there!

Dean staff: make some great Dean avatars (usually 125 x 125 pixels) with the web address in them, and post them for us to use!

More spreadsheet action. Come on, we're slipping! Under $20,000 for the last half hour.

Q2 Total So Far: $6,666,344.00
Minutes So Far: 330
Average per minute since 10am:$881.38
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,115,845.64
Projected Time to Hit $7 Million: 9:49PM

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?&range=1y&size=large&url=deanforamerica.com#graph

in the top 10,000 sites worldwide as of today(contrast and compare with johnkerry.com)

We're now tracking for 9:48PM to pass $7 million. We slipped a bit in the 3:30pm update. Someone mentioned a problem with the convio site, that blip might have something to do with it. Either way, we still brought in $19K in the last 30 minutes!

Applicable quotes from 1980 hockey (for today and next November):

(courtesy of Al Michaels)

"Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!
"The impossible dream comes true!!

We're having a lot of fun on Democratic Underground! If you're not a member of DU, join today!

http://www.democraticunderground.com

WOW! I was away for a while looking into the enemy camp, Republican National Committee Research. Dean has their attention. I can't imagine why they don't like him!! I was pleasantly surprised by the current level of donations. My wife and I will attend the fund raiser in Dallas on the 13 and hope to meet LOTS of Texans for Dean there. We hope the downtown rally later breaks records. Here's a link that will give you an idea of what we want to see from our next president, Howard Dean. It's dated since the Soviet Union was the enemy, but I'm certain that each of you will be able to make the mental transition to today.

Commencement Address at American University President John F. Kennedy Washington, D.C. June 10, 1963
http://www.jfklibrary.org/j061063.htm

Um...I know the folks up at HQ are INCREDIBLY busy today, but should I be concerned that I donated several hours ago and I'm still waiting on the confirmation e-mail? I just don't want to miss out on the lottery. Is anyone else in the same boat?

There is a way to e-mail Trudeau. He donated one of his strips about the Portland schools problems to be auction off to help the schools. I asked him to donate the Howard Dean strip to the campaign to auction off. I'll let you know if I get a yes.
Are we having fun yet?

billy

I can't wait for the giant Meetup Inauguration Day party!

In 20 minutes CNN ( Inside Politics) leads off with story about Dean fundraising. (3:00PM Central time)

"Liberal" means "generous," as in, showing the generosity which becomes a free citizen. It is perverse and unpatriotic to use "liberal" as if it was a dirty word. We have to stand up for this. Every one of the founding fathers took great pride in his liberality--go read their papers, that's clear as day. More than ever, the nation needs a refresher course in the necessity of liberality for the health of a free republic.

For example, the toleration that fosters an atmosphere in which we can enjoy free speech grows only from the hard-fought open-mindedness of liberality. There is nothing easy about liberality. It is not easy to exercise freedom in an ungenerous society. Every one of the founding fathers would applaud Dr. Dean's unselfish courage in the face of the cruel, ungenerous treatment that he received for not wavering from his anti-war convictions. Here is a true patriot.

He needs our support. Of course, there are many ways to be a generous patriot - and here is another one:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute

It won't always be about money, but today it is about money. The more financial support Dr. Dean can report right now, the more leverage he'll gain with the flinching doubters.

I've never seen anything like this before in my life. Go Dean Go!

$333,656 needed in 8.5hrs. Thanks, I'm sure from everybody, to Jason and his spreadsheet. We can do this...

Must..pull..myself..away..from..watching..bat!!

Looking forward to later this evening.

To follow up previous post, I wonder what the total is with all contributions received today -- snail mail arriving in Burlington today, etc.???

Dean inspires people to voice their opinion. Never in our lifetime has one candidate really meant "stand up and be counted" the way Dr. Dean does. Never has each and every person who will vote mattered so much to the course of our nation. We lost the last one due to corruption in Florida. Leave no doubt in 2004; leave nothing to be decided by corrupt politicians.

DeanforAmerica.com is in the top 10,000, whereas GeorgeWBush.com is struggling to stay in the top 100,000!

Dean ranks #9,928.

Bush ranks #99,051.

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?&range=1y&size=large&url=deanforamerica.com#graph

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?&range=1y&size=large&url=georgewbush.com#graph

I'd never heard of this service before. Thanks, Alexa!

Does anyone else feel like they're an extra in a Frank Capra movie?

I got interested in Dr. Dean when he was the only one to speak out against the war.
I took my dad to seem him when he visited Portland and I thought he needs help but he's got the right ideas.
I went to my first meetup meeting in June and I left saying WOW this is the man we want.
And then my wife and I wathed his speech last Monday and after my partner dried her tears we sent a check.
Today I am a bat-addict and made our second donation!
Go Dr. Dean! Go America! "We've got the power"!!!

Just contributed -- my second donation. Have never seen anything like this. Could not be more proud to have some small part in this remarkable day -- and this remarkable campaign.

Give 'em hell, Howard.

I can't afford it but I just donated another $50.01! I'll be delaying paying my phone bill this month.

I'm broke, but I can give AND SO CAN YOU! Quit coffee, quit cigarettes, pack a lunch to work. Skip the movies this week. YOU CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY BUT GIVE AGAIN NOW!!!

Thank you. God bless you.

I saw a friend of mine last February. I said I was supporting Howard Dean. She said Dean doesn't have a chance.

I replied, "No really, you should read about Dean, there's something special about him"

She didn't reply.

I'll be seeing her again next week. Wonder what she'll say this time?

Gonna miss the 4pm and possibly 4:30pm updates for my spreadsheet. One of those annoying "meetings" at work I get paid to have to endure. ;) I'll be back afterwards to update.

Let's keep it going! It's amazing how exciting and invigorating this is.

This is a small contribution from the newly formed: [base "]Belizeans for Dean[per thou] group, current membership: 1, but an intense recruitment drive start immediately.

Thanks Dr. Dean & Team, for brining back excitement and optimism to the Democratic Party. Oh, and don[base ']t forget to [base "]give [OE]em hell[per thou]

WayneN

Regarding Republicans for Dean:

First let me note that I am not a Republican but a liberal. That aside, I think that Dr. Dean has a lot to offer moderate Republicans and Independents. He is speaking out for local interests where the president is not. For example, he has pointed out how the No Child Left Behind Act is deepening state budget crises and increasing local property taxes. He has also called Bush out on how his tax cut deprives police and fire departments, local first reponders, of support. An emphasis on a need for Hometown Security has appeal not just to those of us on the left, but also those on the right.

Similarly, his call for fiscal responsibility resonates with many moderate Republicans who have seen the damage Bush's Borrow-and-Spend budgeting has done. The only thing that is trickles down from the Bush plan is fiscal ruin, from the federal to the state to the local goverments, and all one needs to do to realize it is read the local papers. I know that my home state of Wisconsin is feeling the damage, and I bet most of you out there can say the same thing.

Attention to local needs and state budgets, from where comes most of the funding for the social programs so dear to the hearts of liberals like myself, is not an issue limited to the left. Lashing out at Bush and the Republicans in power is all well and good, but let's not make personal attacks against party members, because the Good Doctor appeals them too, and they can help us fight the good fight. With his straight talking style to his call for responsible governance and attention to local needs, Dr. Dean has a shot in the general election at winning states that have recently gone Republican, so let's not personally attack new found friends who happen to sit across the aisle. After all, who they support today and tommorrow is far more important than who they supported yesterday, and we need all the help we can get.

I've already donated twice in the past week, totaling $110.02, but what the heck, I plan on giving $2,000.00 this election cycle, so I'm off to donate again. It'd be great to get that personal call from Gov. Dean. I'd love to tell him personally all of our grassroots efforts out here in San Francisco. This past week we signed up over 600 people at the Declaration Celebration and over 500 at Pride. We're going to help you Gov. take back this country and win the White House in 2004!!!

Molly in CA asked for info on how to contact Garry Trudeau about his Doonebury strip today.

I found this link on doonesbury.com for feedback:

http://www.doonesbury.com/media/contact/index.html

I'm just made my 4th donation this quarter. I'm really excited about this. I'm calling all my friends and family and telling them they need to contribute to the good of our country. I'm hopeful that with my contribution and with spreading the word, we can show America that the people do have the power.

I am so proud to a part of this historical gathering. The internet is truly the most democratic medium of human history. The gravity and magnitude of our cause can not be understated. On the week of July the 4th, we are making a statement of independence from big corporate interest. We are making a stand for the founding principles of Democracy ruled by and for the people.

Let the us never lose hope for our dreams and our passions. Let us join together as one united voice to take our country back!

Go Dean Go!!!!

Tino Scifo
Austin, TX

Just donated again, hopefully us Left Coasters will push the goal over the top.

I cringe at the thought of another 4 years of Bush, or Lieberman or Gephardt for that matter.

Ok, folks... IT'S TIME TO TORTURE WOLF BLITZER!

The question of the day is: Do you think President Bush will be re-elected in 2004?

Go to this site and let them know that People Powered Howard isn't going to let that happen:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

Ok, folks... IT'S TIME TO TORTURE WOLF BLITZER!

The question of the day is: Do you think President Bush will be re-elected in 2004?

Go to this site and let them know that People Powered Howard isn't going to let that happen:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

All the creative fund-raising ideas have got me going... has anyone mentioned this one yet: benefit auctions on eBay? I'm one of the millions of eBay sellers... and I'm going to start auctioning for DEAN!

I sincerely hope that the Dean camp rethinks its position with Israel and AIPAC. The amount of money that we taxpayers send to Israel now is truly absurd (1/3 of all foreign aid). I also believe that all of the settlements (not some) have to be dismantled for any peace in that region to last. At the same time, the Abbas govt has to ensure security for Israel by marginalizing Arafat and breaking up homocidal elements within militant groups. We need to take the Abbas govt at their word and provide more support to give them the sustenance to overcome these tremendous challenges.

That said, I am firmly with 'The Gov' on health care, the environment, job creation, U.N. involvement, balanced budgets, and real investments in renewable energy sources.

Howard Dean: "People Powered"

George Bush: "Powered by Non-renewable Energy Sources"

After all the donations my husband and I have already made, we just didn't think we could give any more. But then we realized we HAD TO. And we'll keep on until there's nothing left, because we believe that there REALLY will be nothing left if we allow the White House (not to mention congress and the courts) to remain in the hands of the minority of ideologues who understand only diminishment and death, while we can still speak out with our voices and our funds and do something about it. This may be our last chance; and so I keep asking the age old question: If not now, when; if not me, who? Dean has the organization and acumen to get elected; now we can give him the finances, put him in the White House, and let him begin to undo the damage.

Laura suggested: "Someone should be reading these posts aloud to the staffers and volunteers on the phone."

We ARE! This is completely incredible--such an awe-inspiring swell of people everywhere in the country--donating and calling and posting and emailing and joining us. Everyone is working hard and the office is overflowing with urgency and excitement, and we love your posts. So much is at stake -- and then thousands of you, from every state in the country, raising the bar, asking more of yourselves and eachother. Thank you for the enthusiasm AND the seriousness. Thank you for making this happen.

My wife just donated $1750 more. That makes $4000 beween the two of us. Go Dean!!!

I am sitting here as tears of joy roll down my cheeks. I felt as if I was listening to Dr. Martin Luther King, but instead, it was Dr. Dean's Restoration Speech last Monday.

Why have we all been so silent as our democracy was sold to the highest corporate bidder? How could someone destroy the environment and get away by calling it the "clear skies act"?

How could a rich and dumb legacy admit to Yale claim affirmative action was a "quota" system, and even filed a brief against taking race as one of many factors in admissions decisions?

How could civil libertarians, feminists and gays and lesbians be called responsible for 9/11 in this country, and the man saying those things still has strong support in the Republican party?

How is it that today 77% of Europeans and Latin Americans see Bush as a bigger threat to world peace than anything else?

Why is it that the BIGGEST Surplus in the country's history is now the biggest deficit? Why does our fiscal situation resemble Argentina's aftr Clinton had delivered 8 years of prosperity?

Why does a corporate media of Fox News/Clear Channel/Rupert Murdoch pretend the US Flag is their private property and anyone who dissents with their extreme right wing warmongering is unpatriotic?

I never thought I would see the day when George Orwell would be describing America, but I have seen it.

I have also seen the courage of every single one of you - poor, laid off, unemployed, single mothers, students, every one of you are my heroes. You have brought back hope and optimism and courage back into my l ife. I thank and salute you, and I thank Dr. Dean.

No matter what happens, they cannot take this away from us with their media spins or their corporate buying of our democracy. The people are speaking for Dr. Dean. Once more people know about his positions, they will come to us from all colors, Republicans and Democrats, Independents and fair minded folks, from city and village. Because America needs us today, in her darkest hour.

Let's hope that "A ZILLION POINTS OF GRASSROOTS GREEN" will be sufficient to convince Democratic party officials that Dean is the only hope for a election win in 2004!

I have donated very few times to candidates in the past, and my partner virtually never. Our interest in Howard Dean began before the beginning of the year, and we became involved in the meetup's in May. We saw him at the WI Dem Convention, and although we were already impressed, after seeing and listening to him in person, we were blown away. We are not people who are easily moved nor are we in any way naive. This said, we have never been so motivated by an individual or so willing to to work to help Howard Dean become our next President.

After visits to the website, we have made 3 donations in the past 3 days, and just made another today after seeing the totals. This kind of momentum can't be stopped, and what started out to us as just a hope Howard Dean could do well in the primaries has crystalized into a conviction that he will be our next President. Why? Because we have the power, and we are all finally using it.

Too much excitement, so I'm good for another $25. See you New Yorkers at the Roxy tonight at 8 - Dean in person!

I was just speaking to a friend earlier today and I mentioned that Dean was up to $6.5 million for the quarter. Without my asking him, he asked me what the address was for him to send a donation! He also said he'd like to come to a MeetUp this Wednesday with me.

We're rollin' now!

8hrs to go -- $312,443 needed for $7M
need to average between $39K and $39.1K/hr

INCREDIBLE COVERAGE ON CNN's Judy Woodruff! "making history ... 50000/year ... kerry's campaign says they'll get 5mill ... " She actually said PEOPLE POWERED HOWARD and that showed the website and picture of the bat. The other campaigns are scared and they are all watching this site right now ... they are saying they are amazed! Incredible!

Well, on Wolf's poll, George W is at an 85% NO for relection :)

Must be giving Wolf heartburn!

Rock on Tom S! $1,750 and $4,000 grand between you and your wife is quite a ringing endorsement for Dean.

Does Inside Politics repeat during the night?

Filling in for Jason while he's working. Here are the totals for the 4pm update:

Total: $6,687,557
Today: $380,329
Last half hour: $21,213
Avg/Min: $866.85
$7 million reached at 10pm

Well, Inside Politics reported VERY well. Finally good to see Dean get the kind of press he deserves.

Gosh, we're well on our way to 7. C'mon folks, just a little bit more to go!

I just gave Howard Dean my third (admittedly tiny) donation. I've never done that for any politician before. But as a Vermonter, I can say from firsthand experience that Howard has got what it takes to help us all Take our Country Back from the right wing ideologues that have hijacked our nation. I attended Howard's announcement speech in Burlington last Monday, and the enthusiasm in the crowd was simply electrifying. We can do it!!

"Inside Politics" today said that all of the other candidates were watching Deans website to figure our how Dean is raising so much money.

They may be able to duplicate the website ( I doubt it ) but they can't duplicate Howard Dean!

Does anyone else feel like they're an extra in a Frank Capra movie?

Posted by MikeNJ at June 30, 2003 03:40 PM

MikeNJ-you've captured it perfectly.

I am unemployed because of Bush's fiscal policies... that's why I gave $100 out of my unemployment check to Howard Dean. It's that important to me. If I can, anyone can.

"The Dean of Fundraising" was the nickname I think. I don't think there was a single negative comment, besides noting the obvious fact that now that the Dean secret is getting out we're going to have to face down the VRWC and concentrated attacks from fellow Democrats. It's going to get ugly, and we have to get ready. It takes a tough stomach to survive the primary, but I'm ready!

The New Republic article said it best:

FAT CAT FREE FUNDRAISING!!!

I LOVE IT

Keep slamming the Wolf Blitzer poll!

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

We are really going to torture Blitzer this time. 86% so far, but we can do better.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

"Inside Politics" is amazing.

Earlier this year they said Dean would be in trouble if he didn't raise enough money.

Now they say he could be in trouble
because he raised so much money.

They said the press would be gunning for him, that he would be under intense scutiny.

What universe are they living in?

Sorry, other Dem candidates, there's nothing to "figure out"...you either have IT or you don't!

Our man definately has IT!

I gave $25 to the campaign the other day. This was the first I had donated to a presidential candidate (and I have been voting in presidential elections since 1988). Wish I could do more this week. But I definitely will be giving to the campaign again.

Good lord, I'm amazed by all you people. So inspiring.

It's very hard for me to get any work done today....

Did everyone catch the lead in graphic to Inside Politics.

DEAN'S FACE ON US CURRENCY.

Dean is now the big money man!

...Jamie

Woohoo...my father just emailed me to say he he made his first ever political donation. Add $25 to the pot!

CNN is _still_ covering Dean and the fundraising. Tune in!

Clicking on my name will take you to the website my fiancee' and I own and operate.

We will donate ALL profits (or approximately 50% of sales) from today to Howard Dean's campaign, based on any sales prior to the midnight Eastern time deadline tonight.

I liked the stark contrast on Inside Politics between the story on Dean's grassroots internet insurgency and the report on Bush's corporate, fat-cat fundraisers.

This distinction will resonate throughout the country.

This is a fight we can win!

all this air time will/is driving more $ to the campaign!!!!so brilliant...

"Good lord, I'm amazed by all you people. So inspiring.

It's very hard for me to get any work done today...."

I second that. I've been checking the bat so much today, I haven't had time to complete any of my work!

Just made my second contribution (ever) today, two days after my first one at a Dean houseparty/conference call in northern NJ yesterday. Tonight I'll be giving another $50 for myself and a friend at the Roxy in NYC.

Anyone else think that Roxy thing tonight will be a major celebration considering what's happened with the campaign this quarter? I can't wait!

I've got the CNN show tivo'ing now but just saw a live report on MSNBC about 20 minutes ago about Dean's fundraising. The reporter compared the relative ease with which the money's rolling in for Dean on the Internet to the two other big money raisers (Kerry & Edwards) who "have to eat a lot of chicken" on the banquet circuit. Heh! (better than hot dogs anyway).

They said Lieberman's going to face a lot of pressure to get out of the race based on expectations for his fundraising results. Gephardt, they noted, has union support but is under-achieving on the money front.

But Dean's definitely the big story today.

In Aug and Sept tax refund checks will start rolling in. I would suggest that you deposit the check then write a check for the same amount to Howard Dean. However, before you send the check, photo copy the refund check and the check to Dean, then send the copies to W. with a thank you note.

What an exciting day! I'm so glad I didn't have to eat a $1,000 hot dog like Bush supporters to have access to my candidate! After fighting political apathy as I keep plugging my nose and voting....at last there is a real chance for change. CNN continues to give endless attention to what WE are doing!!! Thanks to all of you working in Burlington and to everyone else for restoring my faith in the Democratic party and process!

The guy in charge of Bush fundraising just said on CNN that the amount of money Bush was raising was just demoralizing for Democrats. I don't know about you, but I don't feel demoralized.

IT"S MORE LIKE MOTIVATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one more time, so this doesn't get lost in the flurry. tell your friends. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

Carol G.> What's your ebay name? Maybe I'll buy something from you.

I know, it's not just the money, it's the way it's being earned... Kerry and Edwards have to take time (and money) to travel to these fundraisers, not to mention attend them... all Dean has to do is make five lucky phone calls... Pretty cool.

Just made my first ever contribution to a presidential candidate. Now I'm commenting on my first blog. What a day. Thanks Governor.

I've been closely watching Dean and spreading the word since late last year--I'm one of the more conservative Dems and I liked his New Democrat record in Vermont. But now he is even exciting the liberal wing of the party that hasn't been excited in so long.

Who says he's not electable?!?!

Laura: Believe me, we are reading these posts! It is the inspiration that keeps us going when coffee and adreneline run out!

Thank you everyone for making such a detirmined effort to make this Quarter the biggest number it can be!

Hello, I am a 21 year old college student, and I want to join the accord for Howard Dean. I did not vote in the last election, the first one i could, and I regret it now. But I am making up for it by contributing my federal stafford loans to the Dean campaign. The press coverage today has been awesome, but I think that the coverage is concentrating on the total top dollar, and not on the fact that Dean's dollars are all based on small, first time givers, and not the 2,000 dollar fatcats for Bush (sorry for everyone that gave 2,000 to Dean).

I think the best idea shown so far has been the garage sale. A national garage sale day put on by the meetups would be a good publicity stunt, allow interaction between those working the garage sale and those shopping, and would bring in dollars. I know I am giving all I can monetarily, but I have some old stuff I could give as well. Take Back America!

Very interesting. I'm enjoying tracking this by the half-hour, and put a link to it on my blog. But I need more background info. Where do I find info on previous records for internet fundraising? How much have the others raised on the net? How much has Shrub?

I had the opportunity to see Howard Dean last Friday in San Diego. After being around him for a couple of hours and watching him interact with people and the press, he truly is who he is. He seems to very much be his "own person". Well, after today Howard will also be our person, the people's person. We bought ourselves a president everyone, congradulations and good work! I'm off to donate again.

Dean electable? Hell, he's a rock star! Or maybe a movie star in Dr. Dean Gives It To Washinton.

Ramonv asked:
"Carol G.> What's your ebay name? Maybe I'll buy something from you."

...just search on the phrase, "howard dean" --I'll include in each auction the fact that it is an auction to benefit Howard Dean... maybe others will do it, too... check back next weekend, when I have time to put up some stuff :-)

I'm one of many volunteers who went up to NH to canvass for Dean this past weekend (with many other volunteers representing at NYC's Gay Pride Parade)--even met one of Dr. Dean's former patients--a very nice woman. Had to give again to try to break that bat. Best to all--see some of you at the Roxy (if you're in the NYC area, go!).

>>We bought ourselves a president everyone, congradulations and good work!<<

hey guys, I completely understand the excitement behind the sentiment, but we're helping Dean's campaign; we're not "buying a president." Just a thought.

It's been said again and again here, but I'll say it again. This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

Governor: I know you say this is about us and not you. That the power is ours, not yours. We are INDEED feeling that power today. But know this: This wouldn't be happening for John Kerry. This wouldn't be happening for Joe Lieberman. This wouldn't be happening for Dick Gephardt or Dennis Kucinich. And in fact it ISN'T happening for them. This is for YOU and I think I speak for most everyone here when I say it COULDN'T happen for anyone else.

Thank you so much for being a candidate worth believing in. I'd just about forgotten what that feels like.

I just donated 25 dollars to Deans campaign and really hope he has what it takes to kick bush out of office. If elected what will his stance be on the pathetically failed war on drugs? My brother is serving 1 year in prison right now for simply being caught with a joint here in Georgia. This is madness save my brother and the other countless millions of young people who's lives are ruined by draconian drug laws howard dean! Please!

I would like to say first, I'm not a lawyer. And that Joe Trippi or someone should put guidelines on the webpage. However, this is what I got out of reading the new BCRA (McCain-Feingold) law from the FEC page.

Matching funds - The $250 is matched from each contributer made during the PRIMARY "season" only, ending at the calander year before the general election (so, Dec 30, 2003). These matching funds are to be used during the general election cycle.

Here I was wrong earlier, and was quoting Congress and State elections. The $2000 limit is for the Primary election season. After the Primaries, Federal Grant "matching funds" only are to be used in a Presidential election, EXCEPT for legal/administration purposes (to which individuals can contribute). For the general election, direct contributions cannot be used apparently.

Sorry for the earlier misinformation... HOWEVER - this does mean that the more people do contribute to Howard Dean, the more money he'll have matched.

My plan - the other $2000 next year will be going towards state progressives/democrats. Let's make sure President Dean has a Congress with a similiar agenda!

Oh Christ, Ann Coulter is on Crossfire. The best line I ever heard about her was, "Ya know, if it weren't for the feminists that she hates so much, the only thing she'd be writing today would be grocery lists."

Are you DEMORALIZED? According to the RNC, Democrats are ready to throw in the towel, we are just going to fold up and go home. I don't think so.

LETS SHOW AMERICA AND THE GOP that REAL Americans are MAD as hell, and are NOT going to take it anymore!

We CAN bring this total to OVER 7 Million today. I just sent in another donation....and am writing yet another email to everyone I know.

The GOP would like us to think that our efforts are useless, worthless. WE know better, and WE can do better.

WE CAN DO THE 7 million today! And we WILL TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!

UNBELIEVABLE! How am I supposed to get any work done today! I've been trying to keep my donations steady - an early $50 online donation, then a $250 funraiser at sweet sixteen, then $50 after the Moveon win, another $25 for the Roxy tonight, and earlier today I was compelled to toss in another $50 JUST BECAUSE.... and I think I'll have to go out to a movie to restrain myself from donating again today. My wife is going to kill me! (This is after spending the weekend in N.H. canvassing for Dean and dropping $50 at the Brass Monkey to boot!) Let's hit 7!

Re: rockstar: since the Doc is reportedly a good guitar player, I was thinking about bandnames:

Howie D. and the Campaigners
The Dean Folk Explosion
Howard and his Blue Grassroots

Ok, the last one is an attempt at a clever pun, but does limit the genre somewhat..

Anyway.. go $7M!

I made my first ever political contribution today. $50 less in the bank account will make the next month pretty lean but a month's hardship is nothing compared to what the next few decades will be like if w. and his crew are allowed to remain in office. I'll gladly pull in a few notches on my belt in the short term to ensure a better 5, 10, and 20 years down the line.

Someone mentioned "The Natural" a few posts up, I couldn't help but think of "Field of Dreams":
"This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come."

You've built it, we've come. Now let's go the distance!

Just voted, hope the folks at CNN know CPR...the results are at 90%!

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

If you haven't voted go to the link.

Mark

People Powered Howard crosses 6.7 million! Keep it up! Another $25,000 half hour, amazing!

Zephyr and Alex: Yay! Keep rockin'!

Will someone be sharing all these inspiring posts with Dr. Dean, too?

Filling in for Jason, here are the numbers:

Total: $6,713,685
Today: $406,457
Last Half Hour: $26,128
Avg/Min: $867,17
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,103,910
Still tracking to hit $7 million at 10pm.

The press fails to understand just how pissed off over half of this country is. And we are all WIDE AWAKE and waking up everyone else who has been politically asleep for the last 20 years.

I just finished reading 'Pigs At The Trough' where Arianna Huffington lays out just how incestuous the corporate/politico connectins are. Fat Cat Free fundraising is exactly what this country needs. So guess what? The country is doing it.

Go Howard!

Uh-oh

Crossfire host Bob Novak just challenged Dean to come on the show

Just heard the NPR report on Dean's fundraising. They called him "the former darkhorse". HA HA HA. This isan amazing day.

It's also amazing to see 365+ responses on this thread. We ARE more than a focus group, President Bush!

They just mentioned the 30-minute updates for the campaign contributions on NPR. They said it was on the blog, but too bad they didn't give the address.

I suspect contributions will pick up a bit after people get home from work and settle down at their computers. It's going to be great years down the line to say "I was there. I was diligently checking the blog every half hour to see Dean rise to unsurmountable front-runner!"

About fundraising for Dean through auctions and bake sales. Sounds great however somone might want to check iwth the campaign to see if its legal.

and i meant to add...GO DEAN

Alex, we just wish that we could be up there in Vermont helping you guys out!! What an exciting day!!

I think I'll toss back a few beers and grill up some nice steaks to celebrate :)

Ebay for Dean is a great idea! I have some DVDs I could unload!

I think Wolf is getting blisters.

Do you think President Bush will be re-elected in 2004?
Yes   10% 128 votes
No   90% 1116 votes
Total: 1244 votes

Not uh-oh at all for Dean being on Crossfire. That's great! Let's see him bite back at Bob Novak!

Shoot! I wish this was coming at a better time for me! My
husband and I (both students) scrounged together $50 so
I could go to a Dean House Party last Friday so I'm left
being able to only give $5.01 today, more of a symbolic donation
than a helpful one... (At least it's matchable!) I can't think
of a better reason to push my finances to the wire than to give
this campaign a (symbolic) bump.

Keep up the good work in Burlington! You all are taking some
risks, but we've got your back and we're ready for this to get
rough. ;)

Just made my second of the day. Both are firsts in my life. dug deep. Let's get a west coast challenge and go for 7.5 to 8 for the quarter and send a "Shot heard 'Round the World".

BTW I endorse the slogan, "The only special interest I have is the American People". Let's all tell the campaign we like this slogan when we post.

Hang loose

Bill

Please play David Byrne's "Miss America" tonite at the Roxy. That song is fantastic. I'll pay an extra $25 if I hear it.

This thread is so much better than work.

Howard Dean please support reduced penalties for non-violent drug offenders. Innocent people are being locked away for "crimes" that simply do not exist. If you saw the light on Gay Civil Unions then why not come around and support reducing the awful toll the war on drugs has taken on the lifes of countless young people. How many would be Dean supporters can no longer vote for you because simple youthful transgressions resulted in felony charges. Public opinion polls show over 70% of Americans want marijuana Decrim (only handing out fines for marijuana possession) and a whopping 42% now support full marijuana legalization (effectively treating pot like alchohol). America is moving forward please move forward with her Howard Dean. Do so and i guarantee you will kick Bush's Behind in the 18-24 demographic!

Dean's success was mentioned in the top-of-the-hour news update on NPR this afternoon. The more, the better!

I did what I thought I couldn't do. I just donated for the fifth time to the Dean Campaign (the only campaign I've ever donated to). Friday I checked my account and gave what I thought I could give, but I rechecked today and found some more. I'm a school teacher at a non-profit school, so money is something I don't have a lot of. I figured that I would make up for my lack of funds with extra volunteering. I've been putting in hours staffing a table for Dean at my local farmers' market, helping to organize meet-ups, working on big events like the announcement celebration (was that only a week ago?) and SF Pride this weekend. But seeing how close we are to 7 million I had to go look at my account again and figure out if I could squeeze out an extra $50. It's cutting it close but I have done it.

I feel this is a small price to pay for what Howard Dean's campaign has meant to me these past months. Ever since Dubya stole the White House I have felt disempowered and depressed. I've never expected much from a president: my first national memories are of Viet Nam and Watergate. I just figure that politicians are corrupt and we have to vote for the lesser of two evils or when the risks aren't too high make a statement by voting for someone we like, knowing he will lose. In Howard Dean I have found someone who gives me hope, who I can proudly vote for knowing that not only am I voting for the best candidate, but that he can win.

I have never been patriotic. I've never felt "proud to be American" The ever present images of the American Flag since 9/11 have felt oppressive to me. It has never felt like "my" flag. Last Monday when Howard Dean said "we call ourselves simply, Americans" and that the flag belongs to all of us, something awoke inside me: a kind of hope an faith that I can be proud to be American, that the flag does belong to me. It''s amazing how you don't realize you are missing something until you have a chance to get it. Howard Dean has given me hope.

Today I proudly call myself American.

My contributions of time and money to his campaign feel small in comparison.

Sorry for the run-on sentences and very long post, but this feeling is too big to fit in a small post.

Both Liberal Oasis and I picked up on the Joe Biden interview on Fox yesterday - if we aren't listening to our candidate then it must be ESP....

How come the last few P-PHUs have "Posted by" times 6-8 minutes earlier than the update but say "As of 4:30..."? Is the 1/2-hour thing just a hook? Joe Trippi, you diabolical....

OT: How about a National Dean Day at Six Flags?

We could all take to one of our local Six Flags theme parks en masse. Everyone with Dean tees, buttons, and caps. Standing in line, talking to other Deanthusiasts and converting others in line who don't yet know Dean. Imagine, hundreds of thousands of people stuck in all of those theme parks' rides' lines for hours hearing Deanthusiasts talking to each other like they were long-lost family! It'd be a buzz for sure!

How do we go about coordinating a single day at Six Flags parks?

do the roxy totals count for this quarter?

Re: Bob Novak

The more the Republicans and some Democrats dismiss Howard Dean as a liberal, the more excited I get. I think the campaign has done an excellent job recruiting energized volunteers from all political stripes, and any facial inspection of the issues is enough. Dean can't be pigeon-holed, he's a political singularity.

I've never felt more patriotic, or more inspired in my patriotism. This is it, folks. More than just flag-waving, we are living the American dream. One person, one vote, full participation in our political system. Individual people, putting their pocketbooks -- rent payments, cigarettes, lunches, for me it means giving up Starbucks -- on the line because they are standing up for what they believe in.

Thank you, Dr. Dean, for standing up for what you believe in and inspiring the rest of us. Thank you for straight talk, and thank you for ignoring the political machine. And most of all, thank you for the reminder of what our country is and what it was meant to be. So far it is a beautiful and tantalizing vision of what we can have if we keep up the momentum for the next 16 months. I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK.

Bob Novak Is A Big Fat Idiot. Howard could eat him for lunch, and Kudlow & Cramer as a side dish, and that punk O'Reilly for dessert.

Has anyone ever seen this many comments this fast made to a blog posting? The amount of money being raised is mind-blowing, but so is the action and interaction right here. Is it a record yet?

Amazing.

Before lunch I noticed that there was a request for LJ/blog/journal-sized icons to use as link buttons or avatars to help spread the word further online.

They're not official or anything, but until the campaign makes real ones, I've made a few that folks can use in the mean time. All I ask is that you Save As a local copy and don't directly link to my little website with the IMG SRC tag... otherwise my site may crash from bandwidth use.

http://www.shakal.org/dean.html

Go Dean go!

Sandra,

Just voted on Blitzer's poll and George was down to 10% Yes, 90% No

Hector - the clock on the blog server is slow. We could probably say something to the tech guys, but I hear they're pretty busy today. :)

I just wanted to amplify Carol G.'s suggestion for Dean Auctions. I love the idea of being able to auction off items with the proceeds going to the Dean campaign. Everyone wins. It would liberate a large amount of money for donations, and would be another first for the Dean crew. The media would surely cover it just as they've been covering the donations today. Joe, Zephyr, maybe you folks might want to talk to eBay about setting up a Dean-specific auctions site? Dean.ebay.com? Worth looking into.

It is so much fun to read all these posts. I'm getting to recognize many repeat posters, which leads me to make this suggestion to those who are making regular use of this blog. I think it would be helpful and informative if people put the state they are in. Many people have been doing this already which lead me to believe that formalizing the sign-in convention might be interesting and helpful. I like to see the geographical distribution of posters, and it might help people--uh hmm--meet up or at least communicate with each other if they are in the same state. Does anyone agree this would be helpful?

Matt, Zephyr: I supposed it's already been asked up above in the 400! or more comments on this thread....but please prominently post the cutoff time for each time zone in the states on this fund drive. Just until that time so we know what the absolute latest is that we can make an additional last minute contribution that will "count" in the totals. Thanks. (If we're short, I'll make another contribution at the last minute. ;)

You all are starting to gloat. Reminds me of George Bush standing over those dead bodies in Iraq and smirking. What are you going to do when all your friends in the press turn on you?

Don't forget. Dean will still have to "MEET THE PRESS." hahahahahahahahaha

Dean Is all over the news! I just got done watching "Inside Politics" on CNN, and then, Crossfire was FOX and they were talking about him. IT HAS BEGUN!!!

Think of how well we were doing when we were supporting the candidate with no name recognition and no money. I just kept saying, wait till the word gets out.
THE WORD IS OUT!!!!! Put your seatbelts on folks, we're going for a ride!!!

Quote:
"Can you also answer my other question: Does the $250 federal matching funds also restart at the next election phase?"

I'm pretty sure the matching is for primary donations only. Federal funding for the general election is a fixed amount, no matter how much we donate.

Would someone who's been to a MeetUp for Dean please email me at sunybuffaloalum@mindspring.com and tell me what happens during the event? I am thinking of trying to start a group where I am, because the ones already organized are too far away. I'd like to know what's involved in leading a MeetUp. Thanks in advance.

Bob Novak vs Governor Dean...

The Prince of Darkness vs Doctor America....

I like it.

Will make us more $$$$$

I saw a news item hinting that Nader is considering a 2004 bid. Having voted for him last time (from the safety of Gore-proof Vermont), I must say that I really hope he doesn't run this time, because now we have the Good Doctor, who is blessedly NOT a Republicrat!!!!

This is especially true inasmuch as Dean has reeled in a fair bit of the left wing of our party already (I think somebody refered to him as being left of Lenin!) and when his centrist, fiscally conservative nature is more fully understood, Nader could peel off a fair bit of that left leaning side, perhaps just enough to give it to Shrub one more time, which would be a total disaster for this country.

GO HOWARD GO!

Ken-
"...and I think I'll have to go out to a movie to restrain myself from donating again today"

Yeah... Madeleine is gonna have my head when she sees our Visa Bill and we've donated 4 times in 24 hrs... Including the Roxy tonight. Not the way to pay it off....

Tony in Dallas: A Six Flags day would send a lot of Dean supporters' money to Six Flags rather than Dean. I want baseball game fundraisers! Dean supporters buy collectible tickets to the game, Dean throws out the first pitch, we'd have to decide who the players would be, but it would be great Americana, and Dean could deliver a speech to the crowds in the stands, too. A whole stadium singing the National Anthem for Dean... it would be great to go to and it would make for great TV.

After donating last week, I just donated again this morning and, after reading and being inspired by all these comments, I donated a third time this quarter (plus my first donation in the 1st quarter).

What's more, I called my friend in DC who has been following the upsurge - she was planning on donating another $50, but decided to give $100 to push us toward the goal. I told her about the comment (from above) from a single other who dug deep and donated $15 to Dr. Dean - reading that nearly made me cry - my friend she upped her total to $125!

We are truly inspiring. Keep up the good work.

I've been a supporter for about a year now, but not until today could I totally convince myself that we were going to win this thing. Dean turned the corner today, and we can keep on pushing until we take back the White House on 1/20/05

We need to organize to take the Congress back too. Encourage your meetup to suggest a new meetup topic to beat a republican incumbent in your district, if like me, you have the misfortune of having one of them, or to help the incumbent Democrat if you have one of them, preferably not of the Republican-lite variety. In which case, make up your mind, can you get a progressive candidate on the ballot, can he/she win, if so, you have the power, use it, get a Congress elected in 2004 that will make a Dean Presidency successful.

Re: The War on Drugs

I don't think Dean should get out too far ahead on this issue. I fully support, on a personal level, a rational reevaluation of the existing laws which I think are unrealistic and counterproductive. But I think that part of Dean's gravitas is his unique mix of positions that reverberates common sense. However, I recognize decriminilization is a touchy political issue, and I don't want to unbalance Howard's mix with it.

I think it's fair to say, however, that once elected Howard Dean will be MUCH more helpful to the libertarian cause than Bush and Ashcroft. Can you imagine the kinds of policies to come once Bush doesn't have to worry about a reelection campaign? There'll be no fear, and you're going to see Supreme Court nominations that revoke the privacy rights that keep police from kicking in your bedroom door looking for condoms. These men are no friends to the Libertarian Party, and it's time you stopped being their willing thralls.

Tony in Dallas - if you're serious, here's some info off the Six Flags Great America site. I'd recommend doing the group picnic route and planning it for the end of summer so we could get maximum participation. I'd also suggest Chicago because it's more centrally located than any of the other parks (and easy to get to by plane/car).
-----------------------
GROUPS OF 100+
On top of the spectacular rides, shows and attractions, Six Flags Great America is notorious for being one of the largest providers of company picnics in the Midwest. Groups from 100 to 10,000 can enjoy a private picnic together, just steps away from the excitement of one of America's greatest theme parks. To make sure your company or organization's picnic is a success, Six Flags will:

Reserve a private area for your company in the Six Flags Picnic Grove
Provide specially printed discount tickets for your group, given to you on a consignment basis
Prepare a fully catered, all-you-can-eat buffet-style picnic
Handle all of the details of the picnic, including set-up and clean-up
Provide you with posters and promotional materials free of charge to help spread the word about your special day
Surprise your picnic guests with a visit from Bugs Bunny or one of his Looney Tunes Pals on the day of your event
Six Flags' picnic package includes unlimited use of rides, shows and attractions. In order to receive the substantial discount, a minimum of 100 must attend your event.

Picnic menus vary to suit all tastes. Menus range from Southern fried chicken to BBQ ribs, and come complete with side orders like pasta salad and potato salad.

Events and menus are customized, so send an e-mail message to Six Flags Great America if you would like information on picnics. Make sure to select "One Day Outing 100+" as the event of your choice where indicated on the form below. You can also call us for information at (847)625-7518.

Wolf Blitzer is coming up and we now have a 91% lead:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

Yes, the Roxy is both a last-minute fundraiser and a celebration of this amazing day. See you there!

"What are you going to do when all your friends in the press turn on you?" -KDS (above)

We have more than a little experience with unfriendly press. We'll manage.

As of the 4:30 update. I'll have one for the 5pm update as soon as it's up. We can still do it, especially if this is JUST online contributions.

Q2 Total So Far: $6,713,685.00
Minutes So Far: 390
Average per minute since 10am:$867.17
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,103,910.00
Projected Time to Hit $7 Million:10:00PM

I'd like to thank the Dean Campaign and all of you out in blogland for not allowing me to get a bit of work done today.

Must.....watch.......bat..............

Bob Novak Is A Big Fat Idiot. Howard could eat him for lunch, and Kudlow & Cramer as a side dish, and that punk O'Reilly for dessert. Oh and Ann Coulter really needs to take her Ritalin.

Just made my 3rd donation to Howard Dean, and even though money is tight and it wasn't a lot of $ every little bit helps. I donated to Dean because until he started campaigning I lost hope...and he's helped me regain the hope that we can kick bush out of the WH in 2004 if we all pull together and work hard.

I second the idea of an auction-type fundraiser for Dean...my wife and I are craftspeople/artists and would love to donate a pice of our work for the cause.

Btw - there's a new poll for you to take. Go here:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

"Will Bush be re-elected in 2004?" Votes are running 90+% that he will NOT!!

Bob Novak knows the Republicans took care of their base FIRST. That's how Bush won. So he can make fun of Dr. Dean if he wants to. The funniest part is how it doesn't matter. He's just a Conservative pundithead talking to the camera at a Liberal pundithead. Trying to say something to get the Liberal pundithead all rilled up. Thing is neither one of them is talking to the people--the people who make this country work. Dean talks to the people, real voters.

Dr. Dean!!

Get out your Tin Cup!!!

The Republican Chief fundraiser was bragging on Bush's ability to raise money compared with the Democrats having to go around with their Tin Cups.

This is so arrogant and typical of the Bush administration.

This campaign is all about Tin Cups (Power of the People).

I will be giving another donation later this evening. I'm going over to a friend's house who has DSL so I can Keep up with the BAT!!! and also get a contribution.

How many BAT parties are going on tonight?

I just eked out my 5th contribution (4 this month) to reach the $250 Uncle Sam will have to match. (Just think, that's $250 that won't go to the fat-cat tax refund or Star Wars research.)
Why not remind everyone of the point made on the 6/26 blog:

"Every Dean Donation up to $250 Counts Twice.
...Every person's donations up to $250 are matched by the federal government. For example, anyone who donates $50 will effectively bring $100 into the campaign (the $50 is matched). Anyone who donates $1000 will bring $1250 into the campaign (the first $250 is matched). This applies to multiple donations as well: Anyone who donates $35, and then $50, will bring in $170 to the campaign."

So let's encourage everyone--those who have contributed and those who have felt they simply didn't have the cash--to try to come up with $5 or $10. By midnight tonight the result would be astounding.
MK

Here's the avatar I made! I have to admit I smoothed out his skin because for some reason when I shunk him down to avatar size, it made him look really strange. Here it is:

http://fansofrealitytv.com/forums/avatar.php?userid=3447&dateline=1056953683

Feel free to copy it, everyone! You also need to include a link in your bio line or tagline or whatever, since this doesn't make the web address completely clear.

You can click on my name, too, for the link to the avatar.

Howard Dean did not support Medical Marijuana in Vermont even though 75% of vermonters did. Why should i believe that Howard Dean will be any better then Bush/Clinton/Bush with the War on Drugs. Why should i donate money to a campaign for a guy who wants to throw my lil 18 year old liberal minded pot smoking butt in jail? If you support drug law reforms like me please be vocal on here as well lets raise are voices and make sure Dean addresses the horrible scourge that is the Drug War in America.

Dean has expressed that he is a pragmatist, and doesn't have policies set in stone. If presented with the information about how badly the drug war has been proceeding, it is very possible that he will change his position.

They may be able to duplicate the website ( I doubt it ) but they can't duplicate Howard Dean!
Posted by Robert Deeble at June 30, 2003 04:01 PM

Robert, they also can't duplicate US!!!

I have never given money to a presidential candidate, however, I could not pass up this opportunity to contribute to such a deserving and exciting candidate. I could only afford $50, but I figure if everyone gave $50, than Dean would have quite the campaign fund. Go Dean!!!!

jeremy, it's true that dean is against the legalization of marijuana, but i point you to an anecdote from an earlier thread:

[snip]

Just in front of me, a young guy who looked a little scraggly shook Dean's hand and said that he was a Libertarian and wanted the Government to stop intruding on people's lives. Dean said he was for that, not too tough to agree with. Then the guy say "I also want the Government to make marijuana legal."

Now a true politician would have said something like "we're looking into all options," or something non-committal and vague. Not Howard Dean. He said clearly,

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe in that. I think we have enough problems with legal drugs in our society - alcohol and tobacco - that we don't need to add to. I'm concerned about the message that would send to young people."

The Libertarian he was talking to replied "what about medical marijuana?" This time, Dean could say something this guy could agree with. He said something like

"Now that's something I think that needs more study. There hasn't been enough proof of the benefits of medical marijuana. If I'm elected president, I'll demand that the FDA study this issue carefully. And then if they're for it, then that's what we should do."

The Libertarian said "Is that a campaign promise?" Governor Dean barely batted an eye before answered

"Yes. I don't make many campaign promises, but that's one of them!"

The Libertarian seemed really pleased with this and walked away happy. I couldn't believe that Howard Dean, the Democrat's Democrat, was successfully a Libertarian, without blowing the guy off with a vague non-answer. I was very impressed.

[snip]

Posted by Stew Stryker at June 30, 2003 08:11 AM

Thanks to everyone for all the heartwarming stories... I'm going to throw in another $100 as soon as I get home. Let's see that $7 Million, folks!

Also, I'd like to encourage everyone to go find your local campaign office and help out there. The one in my city just opened recently, and they're in need of people for door-to-door canvasing, as well as basic supplies like chairs and staplers.

GO DEAN! We'll get there together!!

I am a strong supporter of Howard Dean for the Dem nomination. Although I am a Republican, and I know W will trounce whichever Dem gets the nod, i think HD will at least make for interesting debates. Good Luck!

Blitzer poll says 90% DON'T WANT BUSH RE-ELECTED!

Vote here:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/

Leslie, thanks for the info! I think this is an idea to save for the end of the summer like I think you suggested. As for sending the money to Dean instead of to Six Flags, well, we all need to have some fun and recreation and take the kids out, too. So, Six Flags is one idea. And they do have theme days. If enough MeetUp cities with Six Flags parks near them want to do it, it'd be another cool, coast-to-coast day of interactive Dean activism. Any MeetUp hosts interested, email me. Remove the NOBUSH from my email address first.

OK, I just put it in writing. I've been doing this among friends for weeks, but just predicted on my blog that Dean will win the nomination. And push Shrub out of the oval office next November, though that's still a much tighter call.

I write about politics and other matters for Salon and some other mags sometimes, but this one is just my blog. I lay out my reasoning here, though, if anyone is interested:
http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/2003/06/30.html#a99

Have other pundits been stressing the McCain factor? I haven't been reading enough about the campaign yet, but I haven't seen a whiff of it. Seems so obvious, can't believe they're not all over it.

Q2 Total So Far: $6,735,464.00
Minutes So Far: 420
Average per minute since 10am:$857.08
Theoretical Midnight Total: $7,095,438.00
Projected Time to Hit $7 Million: 10:09PM

It's gonna be close, but am I right in seeing that the numbers being reported in teh updates are ONLINE contributions only, not the snail mail stuff?

And Re; War on Drugs, this is one area I disagree with Dean on but there are more important things to do right now - like get W out of office! Then we can work with Dr. Dean on this issue and hopefully turn him around on it. That's what I like about him - he seems like the type that if you show him the facts without the spin, he'll listen to you.

This from Joshua Micah Marshall /www.talkingpointsmemo.com - (Looks like his figures will need some revision by the time he posts again). And oh yeah, that thunderclap, it ain't just for the candidates, listen up DNC!

6/30/03:"Tomorrow, thoughts on Wes Clark and Howard Dean. The Dean fund-raising story is like a thunderclap over the Democratic party. Yesterday, Dean told reporters he had already raised $6.2 million in the quarter ending June 30th; and his campaign manager Joe Trippi says they're going to try to hit $6.5 million by tomorrow night. That will quite possibly end up being more than any of the other Democratic candidates this quarter. I'm no Dean booster. But that news is huge, demonstrating both the improbable strength of Dean and the demonstrable feebleness of the establishment contenders."

My six year old daughter and I spent yesterday morning handing out Dean flyers at Seattle's 'Families You Make' parade. She's a natural - handing out nearly a thousand flyers and stickers on her own! I'm so proud of her.

Me like Dean Appreciation Day at Six Flags! That would be uber kewl place to have a true National Meetup day. Wonder if we can tack on a dollar or two on the discounted price for contribution to the campaign.

-pfb

Thanks, Adele!! Your tags are great! For those who missed the post:
http://www.shakal.org/dean.html

Also, I love the Ebay idea!!

Re: War on Drugs

Jeremy, you shouldn't underestimate the undercurrent of support among libertarians within both the Democratic and Republican ranks. This is an issue that should be settled on a state-wide level, and I'd like to see Dean give that freedom of decisionmaking back to the states.

However, I don't think Dean should make marijuana legalization a cornerstone of his campaign. It's a litmus test for liberalism, and I think Dean's ability to reach out to moderates is too important. Jeremy, I know it stinks, but sometimes it takes political compromise to reach common goals.

And remember, this isn't some "lesser of two evils" decision for Libertarians. If suspending the ancient Habeas Corpus rights of American citizens, if sending prisoners to foreign countries where they can be tortured and beaten, if government eavesdropping on our friends and family is less important to you than marijuana legalization then I'm going to have to question your priorities.

It's unfortunate that all of the candidates really refuse to talk about the drug war.

The us has the highest prison population in the world, and a significant percentage of young black males are either in jail or have felony records that prevent them from voting or holding a decent job.

It's probably one of the biggest, most important issues in the country now and no one ever brings it up.

I think everyone should just admit that both GWB and Dean are both very intelligent men. Both seem to be class acts to me and I look forward to seeing them face-off (even though Dean will surely take a beating).

I'm another first time donor.

I have already contributed, but when the Bush sends out the rebates next month, I intend to donate a large portion of mine to Dean. I just kind of like the poetry of it.

- Brian

It's absolutely imperative that the restoration speech be made available for download in .mov and .wmv. I've been checking my Wavexpress and it still hasn't been added to the playlist.

We really want to distribute cds of his speech to people who dont have broadband and havent seen him speak yet.

thank you

Re Emily: Well thats all good and well and in a way it could be understandable why he would take this approach if he truly supported medical marijuana. The thing is no new studies really need to be done Marijuana is comforting to the millions of patients who depend on it to get through their days. I'm not saying pot is a cure all and i think its important patients understand that Marijuana shouldnt be a subsitute for all other medication, but I had an uncle who passed away 2 years ago who swore by medical marijuana. If marijuana helped comfort my uncle in the last days of his lifes why would Howard Dean want to take this away from him. So if he is taking this stance to be neutral so it cannot be used against him during the campaign.. and then just assuming the commision will come back supporting med-pot (as numerous commisions have done) then i support that position. Furthermore forget Med-pot and just address the fact that my brother is serving 1 year in jail right now for simply possessing marijuana here in Georgia. My brother is an all A student attending the University of Georgia on a Hope scholarship. Because of this felony charge against him he will no longer be able to recieve the state funded scholarship. My brother hurt noone all he did was smoke pot. This is unjust and if we our truly open-minded in this campaign we must be a stop to this! Who is with me on the board? I'm tired of taking a backseat to the interests of SUV-driving soccer moms. I want MY rights here in America.

On Fox News, John Gibson of "The BIG Story" just said:

"Shouldn't the other Democrats also be worried about this because it's been Govenors that come and take the White House: Governor Clinton. Governor Bush. Governor Dean..."

BUSH WILL WIN THE ELECTION ....

... unless YOU stop him.

Tonight, the pResident will attend two $2,000.00 per plate fundraisers in Miami and Tampa. (Gee, why's he in Florida tonight, of all nights??) Can we add another $25.00 a piece and do better?

C,mon, dig just a little deeper--just one more time--and let's make a difference.

$7 Million...$7 Million......$7 Million........

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

For those that are old enough, this is reminiscent of Eugene McCarthy[base ']s campaign in 1968. I haven[base ']t seen this kind of enthusiasm for a candidate since then. While McCarthy eventually lost the nomination to Humphrey, who lost the election to Nixon, I[base ']m more optimistic about Dean[base ']s chances in both contests. McCarthy[base ']s support was made up almost entirely of those who were fed up with the Viet Nam policies of Washington. Dean, on the other hand, has distinguished himself from the current administration, as well as the horde of democratic puppets, on a broad set of issues. If he can tap the anger of the various constituencies for those issues, then he has a chance.

Even if Dean fails in his bid for the nomination, today gives me the first glimmer of hope in many years. McCarthy[base ']s campaign in 1968 was a major influence in turning public opinion against an unjust war. The least we can hope for is that Dean[base ']s campaign will help turn public opinion against the abysmal policies of this administration and Congress. That alone is worth my donation.

Don't forget my Dean photo avatar! :-(

Adele, if you want to put it on your site, please do!

http://fansofrealitytv.com/forums/avatar.php?userid=3447&dateline=1056953683

Being let go from my job. But still just donated $50 on the ol' credit card. Hopefully the 50 dollar stake will grow with interest! :)

Go Dean!!!

Chip

I'm a Firster for Dean too. Twice in a week. I never even check that little box on the 1040 form asking if I'd like to contribue 3 bucks or whatever amount it is now at tax time so why am I donating? I'm compelled to...

The suggestion of pledging our 'Bush Tax Cuts' to the campaign is great... last year's 'Tax Cut' ended up going right back to the IRS->Treasury->Department Of Defense->Ammunition Factory->Depleted Uranium Shell->Dead Innocent Iraqi Citizen this past April. I'd rather have this one go someplace that doesn't make me feel like my soul has been sucked out.

Let me just restate this one more time so everyone hears me clearly. MY BROTHER IS IN JAIL RIGHT NOW. HIS FUTURE IS MOST LIKELY RUINED SIMPLY BECAUSE HE CHOSE UNDER HIS OWN FREEWILL TO SMOKE MARIJUANA. so yes your right marijuana policy is my number 1 priortiy in this election and i hope if your brother were in jail you would feel the same. By the way im not calling for marijuana legalization by any since of the word. I'm more calling for marijuana decrim which reduce penalties so people like my brother wont be sitting in jail

I'm 54 and haven't voted in a looong time. A while ago, when I first heard the Gov. say "I want my country back" all I could think of is "yeah, me too."

Now I feel a spark and a quality of hope that I haven't felt since Bobby Kennedy. It's almost a high thinking of the incredibly positive ways this country would change under a President Dean.

So I just made my 3rd contribution, with more to come.

Give 'em hell, Howard.

Too early for Republicans for Dean?...I have contributed to a Democrat for the first time. The Guv. will make a believer out of me yet.

I've never donated to a campaign before. I was first inspired by D. Kucinich, and still am, but that was before I heard Howard Dean speak at the Rainbow Coalition event on C-span recently. Now my wife and I have donated three times to, hopefullly, help Howard Dean win the presidency to help people who want to bring this country forward into true democracy do so--for all the people of the U.S., and the world! Onward to creating heaven on earth!
Scott Miners

Dave Cullen: Great endorsement!

http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/2003/06/30.html#a99