Dean asking supporters to help Iowa Rep. being targeted by GOP

Dean pushing Democratic Congress
Asks supporters to help influence other key races

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff, 12/2/2003

Howard Dean has said repeatedly that he would, against the odds, help elect a Democratic Congress to move his agenda if he were elected president next year.

Within the next 24 hours, the former Vermont governor will take the first step to live up to his word. An official said the campaign will send a mass e-mail to Dean's 513,220 registered campaign supporters, asking them to donate immediately to Representative Leonard L. Boswell, an Iowa Democrat who has been targeted for ouster by the Republicans.

The appeal is part of a broader effort by Dean to use his unexpectedly potent fund-raising network to support the campaigns of 19 or 20 congressional candidates. Collectively, their victories would break the Republican grip on both the House and Senate.

One political analyst said Dean's effort to simultaneously direct his supporters not only to his campaign but to those of congressional candidates as well is both unusual and also the latest indication of Dean's unconventional thinking.

"Most politicians would view money as a zero-sum game -- that if they get it somebody else doesn't, or if somebody else gets it then they don't," said Stuart Rothenberg, author of a nonpartisan Washington political newsletter. Supporting Boswell and other congressional candidates "would add a very interesting twist, and make it much more of a case of Howard Dean trying to transform the broader political system than just winning the White House."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/12/02/dean_pushing_democratic_congress/

Boswell's endorsement is still up for grabs - and Dean, like Kerry et al are trying to get it. Boswell is a Vietnam vet, and Kerry has been courting him for weeks.

Dean is making a campaign for the entire nation.

a little research as to how Rep. Boswell has voted in the past on issues, but if he looks clean he can count on my support. Another reason Howard Dean is the man for the White House, he's cultivating a stronger Democratic Congress and looking at the Presidency in broader terms than the others.

Outstanding!

What a novel idea.

I can't think of a better way to use a fundraising machine. Maybe Kerry can donate some of his personal money.

Hopefully Dean will have more luck than him.

for Iowa's other competitive races (especially Jim Leach's, which is a must to win back the House).

I can't afford a large amount, but every little bit helps.

Read the blog thread on this, post after post about giving $10, $25, $100 even.

We have the power. :)

Got a nice thank you email from Trippi, too.

Dean sets precedence once again.

That's amazing!

nt

tai chi politics, outstanding.

We're on to something...I really hope the other campaigns catch on to this and if they do, I really really hope my fellow Dean supporters don't say ridiculous things about it. This is a fight we're all in together, agreed?

DU'ers what Democratic imcumbents are in the "hard fight ahead" catagory!!!!


What this is real bad pandering on Dr. Deans part!
I hope there is a tight fight in each state so Dean can press the issue on help the state and federal elections!!!!!!

Trippi has stated that they will be doing the same thing -- asking supporters to directly contribute to a candidate -- for 19 to 20 other candidates in tight races. I think this was a good trial balloon to see if supporters actually WOULD listen to the campaign and contribute to someone a) not named Howard Dean, and b) someone who had not even endorsed Dean.

IOW, this isn't a one-shot deal.

...at once. Instead of only pandering to the voters in IA--that is the 1st major test for Dr Dean and Rep Gephardt!!!!

Dean will never do anything you can accept or be happy with.

Perhaps they need to actually, oh, I don't know, coordinate with the other 19 or 20 candidates before announcing their names? Would the other candidates be okay with this? The bulk of the contributions are online, does each candidate have a website yet? Does each candidate have the ability to accept contributions through their website? Do we know right now what the 20 tightest races will be??

The people over at HQ who have to work on this project are not superhuman. It takes time. I'm pretty sure this isn't some grand evil Dean conspiracy.

for Democrats in the house. This has been Dean's stated plan and if you would go hear him speak (rather than just blindly criticize), you would have known that. Boswell is a great guy in my state and he has a tough fight coming up against the same guy that almost knocked him off last time. There will be more races to come, but Dean supporters are putting more focus on Iowa now--thus it will be easier to raise money now while he visits our state often as opposed to later.

Also, announcing them all ot once lessens the chance all would benefit. Lets say 20 are listed. I can't give to all of them so I select one I know about and give. How does theat help the others. Now lets say I give to Boswell today. Next March, another candidate is in great need and has a shot at victory, if they could just get the money. I can donate again. Its called strategy and planning and the fact is you don't like it because its coming from Dean. Whoever our nominee is better keep this up next year!

Please admit its a great plan.

Decide on their own on which of them to choose..instead of one from the 1st primary state.

I bet there are some of the ones that have donated to this Rep that could have donated to a Rep closer to home that has more issues that they can relate too.

Okay, yes it is a good plan but poorly delieved.


Let him state them all and let his half-million supporters decide on which is best for them to support!!!!

You did read the points of not dividing focus, correct? $30,000/20 doesn't help, but $30,000 for one person does. I also don't think candidates suddenly want Dean fundraising for them. I'm sure there are a lot of little issues that need to be worked out beforehand. So yes, Dean is focusing on Iowa first, because that is good politics. That is where the media attention is so he (Trippi, whoever) knows that it will be an more effective fundraiser.

If it is truly effective, then Dean can go to other congresspeople and point out that he can help them get re-elected. Quid pro quo will then take place.

This is brilliant. It has been done in the past, so it isn't anything new, only this time instead of sharing the $2,000 checks Dean is sharing his vast grassroots fundraising mechanism.

If Dean can prove he can help a struggling incumbent with money, then others might be more willing to back him, speak on his behalf, etc. in order to get his help.

In the world of politics, you don't get something for nothing. Also, if he were to list everyone he was willing to help, then all the money being donating would be split 20 ways and wouldn't effectively help anyone.

It won't be just this one seat in Iowa, the campaign plans to do this for as many Democrats in tight races as possible.

Many of the Dean supporters only donated $10-30, but it adds up pretty quick.

Personally it feels pretty cool to know that I made a small donation to help out a Democrat running in Iowa even though I'm way down in Texas. I'll definately do it again and again.

Iowans? This one candidate? I don't understand how this can be called pandering (def: To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses.)

This is clearly politicing. This is clearly about making strategic moves to make himself a stronger candidate by demonstrating coattail potential.

I like the fact that all the Deanie Boppers are giving money to Boswell because according to Dean he "has fought many years for Democratic values." FYI, Boswell voted for IWR and the bush tax cuts and the partial birth abortion ban. Wouldn't that qualify him for "bush-lite" status among Dean and his supporters? Oh wait - i forgot. Boswell carries some political heft in Iowa, so Dean (and supporters who donate) are more than happy to give up their opposition to the war and tax cuts for a few political points, while continuing to bash presidential candidates who voted for IWR. If that isn't hypocrisy, I don't know what is.

There is no hypocrisy at all. We can't get an army of Howard Dean's nation wide so we are hoping to get the one we want in the most important office--the White House. Due to the big tent nature of the Democratic party, those with views different from Dean are still acceptable. Boswell's district, which is next to mine, would not have voted for him in the first place without those votes. Pushing for Boswell is practical, and he is a good man. Do I want Boswell as president? No, but he is a good representative.

thats in Iowa, the last time i checked. I actually like Boswell quite a bit, and wish I lived a couple of counties to the south. I just find it funny that pious dean supporters are giving money to a pro-IWR, pro-bush tax cut congressman.

I'm in Linn county so Leach is my rep too, and I wish it were Dr. Thomas.

Yet I stand by the rest of my post regarding some pragmatism. "Deanies" are after all sending money for his re-election to the house, not to the presidency.

Or is he a standard Dem running against a Republican?

If the former, yep, I wouldn't give money to him. If the latter, far better to have a Dem who voted for IWR than a Republican who wants his tnose attached to Bush's ass.

No hypocrisy. When the sh*t hits the fan, we back our own.

are not hypocrites. No I don't agree with everything Boswell does, but I don't agree with every single thing Dean or any of the candidates running for President do either.

But I will do my part, as a Democrat, to help out Democratic candidates in congress because I'm tired of watching the GOP win.

And what will you do? Just sit there and judge me for it? No really, what's your plan??

Here's some info on him: http://www.issues2000.org/House/Leonard_Boswell.htm

I think that solves this issue.....

Yaledem accused Deanies of being hypocritical for donating to a Dem who voted for the IWR etc. Which is silly, because Boswell isn't running for President.

And he's surely a far cry better than his Repub opponent will be.

Boswell is overall a good Dem. Dean's not picking him for his running mate, just helping him keep that seat in our party.

and they think that everyone has to think exactly the same to be on the team.

He was the gray-haired gentleman at the JJ Dinner passing the bucket for donations during the break.

Safe to say that now, his cup runneth over!

Message from Congressman Leonard Boswell
Yesterday Governor Dean rallied your support for Congressman Leonard Boswell of Iowa. Your response has been overwhelming. Congressman Boswell has just sent the following note. Help take back your congress by supporting Congressman Boswell today.

www.boswellforcongress.com

Good Morning and WOW!

After a long day traveling Iowa with Governor Dean yesterday, I came home to great news. While we were on the road YOU sent a $35,000 message to Rove/Bush Inc.

I just wanted to let you know and thank you for the thousands more that came in by sunrise in Iowa. I am so excited by your commitment and energy. I can't wait to see how high you will take this.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AMERICA BACK!!!

Thank you,
Leonard

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/002504.html

Sounds like he's impressed! :-)

Now I just hope he spends it wisely. I wonder if Boswell's campaign will give any follow ups?