Money raises Dean profile at gathering of Democrats

BY PETER WALLSTEN AND LESLEY CLARK

All nine Democratic presidential candidates are hoping to captivate thousands of Florida Democrats at the party's state convention this weekend, but former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has ensured himself the starring role.

It has little to do with his standing in the state's polls or his Florida fan base and everything to do with his fat campaign war chest.

For a $50,000 contribution to the state party, Dean and his supporters will be allowed to blanket the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World with receptions, rallies, information tables, even activist training seminars.

It's a deal that has prompted grumbling from some of his rivals, who have not enjoyed Dean's fundraising success and declined to pony up the cash requested by state Democratic Party Chairman Scott Maddox.

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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/7412592.htm

but Dean's rivals are grumbling? I am stunned.

"Activist training seminars" -- damn, wish I were there!

i think the way Dean's spreading around the cash, he's going to have damn good coattails. Dean is proving himself to be a true team player. what other dem candidate is going around helping other dems to this extent?

Dean's coattails will be felt when the entire Dem party is forced to back up someone whose lies and inconsistencies, using his own words, are replayed in ads running 40 times a day, every day for months.

Kerry won't be the nominee.

little guy, for the most part.

Only Kucinich and Clark have fewer $2000 donors than Dean (as a percentage of all donations, only DK). And only Kucinich has a higher percentage of $200 or less donors. http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/donordems.asp


Only Edwards and Bush have a higher percentage of $2000 donations than Kerry. Kerry is virtually tied with Bush for their percentage of $200 or less donors (12% and 11%, respectivley. Dean rolls in at 56%).Since you claim to be a progressive, I'd think that you could at least like this aspect of Dean's campaign. Oh well, so much for being intellectually honest. :(