"The ONLY reason I'm contributing is Howard Dean."

[mondo joe]

That's what I just told the DNC telephone bank caller who wanted a contribution.

The DNC has really let me down over the last few years. I wouldn't give a dime right now if not for Howard Dean.

[Cha]

1. The DNC caller that I had in New York..

was really excited that we had Dean as our Party Chair..he said, "..and we have Howard Dean as our Chair now!"

I told him I already gave "$20.06".

[napi21]

2. I don't think you'll be disappointed this time.

Howard is a grassroots guy. I think you'll be proud to be a Democrat with his leadership.

[mondo joe]

4. I hope not. If things are better I'll give more.

But the Kerry run was bad one for me. And the last time I'll contribute to a candidate who won't defend me.

[Gyre]

3. Well said.

I'm not quite there yet. I'm going to have to see some changes, not sure what to bring me back. H. Thompson wasn't the only one who lost hope in November.

Gyre

[Eloriel]

5. Here are the changes you're already seeing (if you're looking)

Dean is OUT THERE and has been for a LOT of the days since he was elected in early Feb. He's been to red states galore, with more planned.

He's also getting PRESS in those red states, and pretty damn good press too:

Posted on Wed, Mar. 02, 2005
Dean says Democrats 'not going to concede the South'
EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS
Associated Press
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/11025163.htm

Janine Gill, Reporter
Local Leaders Respond to Dean's Comments
http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2966154&nav=168YWX7M

okay, this one's not a red state, but it's good press nonetheless
Dean Speaks to Cornell Community
Party leader introduces Democrats' new strategy
February 24, 2005
by Julie Geng
Sun Staff Writer
http://www.cornellsun.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/02/24/421d84959299b

and here are a few assorted DU discussions based on some of his activities and press:

Howard Dean: Now He Has the Power ("excitement")
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x106891

Dean: As chairman I will not let them continue to frame the debate.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1605764

DNC website hits up 120%, membership up over 60%
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1605689
Link: http://www.democrats.org/news/200502180001.html

Dean DNC statement today on Enron Style accounting.... (in support of Blue Dog Dems)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1600016

Dean: NY GOP chairman must apologize or resign
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1242994#1243047
Link: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--minarik-democrats0216feb16,0,1932877.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

Preview of a Dean DNC
(Staffing, plans, opposition, etc.)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=472594

Dean Vows to Reach Evangelicals as Democratic Leader
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/107/13.0.html
Sojourners http://www.sojo.net/

Rebel Dean inspires gays in Florida
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1234784

He's not exactly sitting on his thumbs. I think he's been working incredibly hard and he's also generating a LOT of excitement AND raising funds for state Dem parties ($90K in Mississippi -- nice little piece of change).

[oasis]

8. Thanks for the uplift with that report. There's hope for us weary Dems.

:thumbsup:

[LoZoccolo]

6. You totally don't "get" Dean then. n/t

[mondo joe]

9. Please, enlighten me.

[LoZoccolo]

11. Dean calls for widespread populist participation in the Democratic Party.

One of his slogans was "you have the power". Thinking this one guy is gonna solve a bunch of stuff was not his thing at all.

Anyways, complaining about how the Democratic Party isn't doing this or that what you want it to, and sitting out, is, I feel, a cop-out from actually participating in democracy and getting broad support for whatever it is that you want, such that a party could not ignore it as an opportunity.

[mondo joe]

12. Funny, I never said he was "gonna solve" ANYTHING.

I was sick to death of national level dems who would get pummeled by repubs and never fight back.

I respect Dean because he'll fight back, and I feel he's defending ME.

[LoZoccolo]

13. OK, what's the use then?

What good is he?

[mondo joe]

14. I believe he will take stands, will fight back and will defend me

That's what I want.

I don't think any one person is "gonna solve" everything.

[Southsideirish]

7. He's the only reason I'm still a Democrat.

[shance]

15. Irish, Im with you. I think that is true for so many of us.

In fact, I would say he carries without a doubt the majority of active Dems wherever he goes.

[OneBlueSky]

10. look . . . Dean's a good guy and all, but he's not going to have . . .

any influence on how House members and Senators vote . . . until I see the Democratic Party start acting like an opposition party (to the worst administration in history, I might add), they'll see none of my money . . . Howard Dean can't stop Hillary from voting for bankruptcy "reform" or any other BushCo initiative, and until she and the rest of our representatives in Congress wake up and start supporting us instead of the corporate interests, they can all go scratch . . .

[fishwax]

16. I used to tell them no money until TM was gone

and that as long as he was still the DNC chair and the party leadership wasn't willing to stand up and fight, such donations as I gave would be to individual candidates and to state parties, as I trusted myself to distribute my own funds better than his DNC. Once Dean was elected, I gave my $20.06 on my first opportunity.