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Democratic Leaders Question Whether Dean's Right on the Money

By Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza
Sunday, March 5, 2006; Page A04

Democratic congressional leaders aren't happy with the way Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is spending money. At a private meeting last month, they let him know.

Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) challenged the former Vermont governor during a session in Pelosi's office, according to Democratic sources. The leaders complained about Dean's priorities -- funding organizers for state parties in strongly Republican states such as Mississippi -- rather than targeting states with crucial races this fall.

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Money Talks for Kerry

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The prospect of a second presidential bid for Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) sometimes draws chortling -- or even mockery -- from many Democratic Party insiders. But Kerry's fundraising ability, especially over the Internet, is ensuring that he remains a serious presence on the national political stage.

The most recent example is an e-mail Kerry sent from his political action committee, Keeping America's Promise. It asked donors to contribute to three Iraq war veterans running for Congress as Democrats: Tammy Duckworth in Illinois' 6th District, Patrick Murphy in Pennsylvania's 8th District and Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's 7th District.

"You and I both know how Rove-style Republicans treat veterans who speak the truth," Kerry wrote. "I know something firsthand about the Swift Boat-style Republican attack ads of the last election -- but you don't have to take my word for it. Just ask John McCain. Ask Max Cleland. Ask Jack Murtha."

As of Friday, Kerry's appeal had raised about $300,000 for the three candidates, Kerry advisers said. The 2004 nominee followed up his first e-mail with a second appeal late last week -- this one seeking to raise campaign cash for Tim Walz, who is running for Minnesota's 1st District seat, and Jay Fawcett, the only Democrat seeking the seat of retiring Rep. Joel Hefley (R) in Colorado's 5th District. It brought in $52,000 in its first four hours.

Kerry has raised more than $1 million for Democratic candidates over the Internet in the past six months, according to calculations made by his aides.

During his 2004 bid for president, Kerry raised more than $80 million via the Internet, and in the process compiled an e-mail list of 3 million names. Should Kerry decide to run again, his Internet fundraising capability will be key. If he takes a pass, he becomes a major power broker by deciding which candidate can use (or buy) the list.

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