As many of you are no doubt aware, Howard Dean and Joe Trippi put up the end-of-quarter "bat" to finish up the year with a strong result, to secure the funds needed to do battle against the corporate-funded George W. Bush. (If anyone still has not contributed this quarter, please
click here to help the Pilots for Dean bat. Thanks!)
As I write this, Dean supporters have contributed $14.11 million so far in the 4th quarter. Since December 23rd (and "the bat"), that's $864,894 raised. Dean is asking his supporters to beat the 3rd quarter record fundraising total of $14.83 million.
Here are some more interesting facts:
- These sums have been raised when there are nine (formerly ten) Democratic candidates, all running against a sitting Republican president.
- Over 280,000 individuals have contributed to the Dean campaign, mostly in small dollar contributions. Since so much of Dean's fundraising is in small dollar increments, repeat donations are possible. (Contributors are not "maxed out.")
- According to 3rd quarter figures, only Dennis Kucinich rivals Dean for the percentage of small dollar contributions. Fourth quarter figures suggest much the same.
- In this 4th quarter, over 52,000 individuals are first-time donors to the Dean campaign. Another 76,000 individuals are repeat contributors. New contributors continue to help the campaign grow.
- Dean's list of registered supporters numbers 550,000, so nearly half are contributing financially.
- The previous Democratic fundraising record holder, Bill Clinton, was a sitting president running unopposed. He raised $10.36 million in the 3rd quarter of 1995. However, contributions to Bill Clinton dipped to $6.63 million in the 4th quarter of 1995 -- almost a 40% drop-off. Similarly, Gore raised $7.34 million in 3Q99 and $4.07 million in 4Q99 -- also a substantial drop-off. It appears that Dean supporters will match or even beat the record breaking 3rd quarter -- a totally unprecedented accomplishment.
- These amounts do not include any federal matching funds. The Dean campaign is uniquely able to operate without spending limits against George W. Bush. (John Kerry opted out but lacks the funds to exceed spending limits.)
- At present rates, Dean will start to cross the $45 million limit that is imposed on all other Democratic candidates (except John Kerry) around late January or sometime in February. So he should be very well positioned financially against Bush if he emerges as the de facto nominee in late winter or early spring.
- 3rd quarter figures showed Dean spending frugally, with a low "burn rate." Keeping funds in reserve to battle Bush will be important.
- These figures do not include any contributions from Al Gore (possible leftover funds from 2000), home mortgages, or contributions from personal wealth. (Dean is not a particularly wealthy individual, although he's not poor either.)
- Also not included are projected funds from the DNC to the eventual nominee ($18 million by some reports), expenditures by "527s" (which are independent and not coordinated with the campaign), or the tremendous value of the huge number of volunteer hours from Dean supporters.
Many people say that an army runs on its stomach. That's partially true, but an army also depends on its bankers. Winning a major battle can be expensive, and it's great news that the Democrats have a well-funded candidate able to compete against George W. Bush.
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