join me in supporting Dean

Have you heard about Howard Dean yet?

I started a little blog called Howard Dean 2004 almost a year ago, to track the inevitable growth and rise of Howard Dean. I was certain that his mix of energy and idealism, coupled with his principled pragmatism on the issues, would be a real force to be reckoned with, and would transform the election in 2004. I had no idea how right I was.

If you want to know more about Dean, check out his position on the issues. Or read the original pair of profiles from last year in the American Prospect and The New Republic.

If you're already a Dean supporter, please help Dean Nation reach our goal of raising $10,000 by Tuesday evening. We have already raised $3662.23 (37%). The campaign knows that we are the core of their support - we are Dean's, but Dean is also ours. Donating only serves to strengthen that two-way relationship.

But even if you haven't yet decided to support Dean, I'd like to appeal to you to consider making a token donation. Dean has pioneered the New Model of American politics - which used to be the old model, namely, "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Dean draws his strength not from massive corporations, or wealthy individuals - it's actually the ordinary people who fuel his campaign. The average donation in the second fiscal quarter was only $112, but he raised over $7.5 million dollars total! This speaks of a vast (and growing) base of support that is the opposite of the top-heavy cabal of special interests that pull most other candidates' strings.

By making a token donation to Howard Dean, even if you don't support him for the nomination, you can help change the political system (at least, for Democrats). Every dollar Dean raises sends a message to the DNC and the DLC that their addiction to corporate cash is obsolete. Every dollar Dean raises reminds politicians that Dean's principled-pragmatism is the Right Way to approach policy, not craven ideological and partisan maneuvering.

A dollar for Dean - or five, or ten - is a way that all of us can make an impact on our system of politics in a tangible and discrete and effective way. Regardless of who you support, we all win.