URGENT PLEA FROM GOVERNOR DEAN -- OUR LAST CHANCE

[BigBearJohn]

In the history of our nation, no group of lawmakers has dodged its responsibility to the American people more than the current Republican Congress.

Instead of doing the people's business, the Republican majority on Capitol Hill operates in a secretive culture of corruption that lets special interests and right-wing lobbyists write our laws in backrooms and behind closed doors. There's no accountability, no oversight, and the American people are paying the price for a Republican majority only concerned with expanding its political power.

With control of the House, Senate and a number of key governorships up for grabs, I don't need to tell you what's at stake in the November elections.

We cannot wait. Already organizers are on the ground in states working towards building a permanent Democratic infrastructure. At the same time, we cannot let an opportunity like the 2006 elections slip by.

Help take back Congress in 2006. Make a contribution to the DNC now by visiting:

http://www.democrats.org/donate2006

When voters head to the polls they will decide whether our nation continues to pursue the extreme, right-wing agenda of the Bush Republicans, or chooses principled, Democratic leadership that will make us strong and safe at home and a respected voice for freedom around the world. That said, it's no secret the American people are tired of and worried about the Republican culture of corruption now rampant in Washington.

All the signs point to this being a big election year for Democrats. But if we want to win in November, we've got to fight for our victories by taking our message into communities all across America and by mobilizing millions of voters who will surge to the polls and support Democrats running at every level of government.

Our Party can't afford to wait until the final months of the 2006 campaign and hope for a burst of energy to carry us to victory. Starting right now - and with your help - we've got to work every day in every state to tell voters about our Democratic values and our vision for America.

Support the Democratic Party's 2006 efforts by visiting:

http://www.democrats.org/donate2006

$8,000,000 is the minimum we need to raise so that we have the necessary resources to:

Conduct ongoing grassroots trainings for Democratic precinct captains who are essential to building our Party's strength on the ground.
Support the work of Democratic Party field organizers making sure they are on the ground early in critical precincts.
Run phone banks so we can locate and mobilize Democratic and independent voters that are critical to our success on Election Day.
Train canvassers who will take our Party's message right to voters' doorsteps.
Support these efforts:

http://www.democrats.org/donate2006

State-by-state, precinct-by-precinct, door-by-door, vote-by-vote, we are going to take this country back for the working Americans who built it.

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean M.D.

=================================================================================

I was just writing to a friend of mine:

Well, I think this upcoming Congress election is the most important election of
our lifetime. I am going to pull out all the stops. At DU, we really have to push
hard, hard, hard and get EVERYONE involved. And then have everyone get their
friends and family involved. We're not playing pattycake. This is our LIVES we are
talking about. If EVER we need to get involved, NOW is the time. I am going to
donate until I bleed. WE HAVE TO TURN THIS AROUND!!! C'mon people, WE CAN DO IT!!!

[Fridays Child]

1. Kick

:kick:

[napi21]

2. Yep, I just received that same email. I believe in what Dean is doing.

I volunteered for his campaign and I went to meetups, sent out lots of letters, etc, bit none of us really knew what was the best thing to do. We wrote those letters but had no idea really what to say! I love the idea that he's having training sessions for volunteers, and canvasers! I don't have much money, but I'm going to send the DNC what I can. I really want this program to continue because I think it's the best way to win!!!!!

[crispini]

3. K&R

[wisteria]

4. The DLC ,Reid and the Clinton's have been trying to undermine him

recently. I am going to send a cotribution simply because I believe in the Grassroots effort and not the DLC way.

[hedda_foil]

5. That's what it boils down to!

If we want to have a chance of reforming the party, we have to protect Howard's flank. He's being pressured by the DLC and this is a test of power. We can't let them win.

[madfloridian]

12. Many here are having fun with it. Think it is a fun game.

I don't give much hope on it lately. Let them give it to the Republicans and the big money again....that is what will happen.

While these guys think the whole thing is a game.

[T Wolf]

6. I responded to the request with a response that stated

that until the Dems fight back, they would get no support from me.

I really believe that the party "leaders" put Dr. Dean in the position as DNC Chair just to try and keep the "core" from totally abandoning the party. But, he has no real power. If he "fails" at fund-raising, as they hope, they can say that it just proves that the path of the DLC is the right one.

I am not falling for that.

[madfloridian]

7. Oh, dear God...is that where we are now?

Then give it all back to the GOP and sit back in satisfaction.

[T Wolf]

13. So, you think we should pay for the knife that is used to stab us in the

back? After being burned by the Democratic establishment for over 35 years now, I refuse to contribute to my own demise.

Direct support for true Democrats is OK, but not another penny to the "party" that uses my dollars to give cover to Bush.

But, in the end, I do not believe that there is a political solution.

[madfloridian]

14. You really don't see the issue.

And I am not going to try to tell you.

[KoKo]

15. He's giving money to the "Grassroots Dems in States" and not the

Candidates promoted by the DLC. He's helping build strong state organizations for progressives. It's the DCCC and the SCCC who are spending the money on Candidates who may be "do nothing."

Dean is building the party from the bottom up and not the "top down."

Please reconsider or give money to the Progressive Democrats of America if you are that closeminded. They could use some bucks to support progressive candidates who are pro-choice and anti-Iraq Invasion/occupation.

[LittleClarkie]

20. Unless you put them in a position of strength, they never will fight back

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Permanent minority.

And why, if the powers that be are hoping Dean will fail, and will point at fundraising as an example of his failure, and if you're not fond of the DLC, why would you help them prove their point. There's something really ass backwards about that.

[RazzleDazzle]

24. You couldn't BE more factually wrong.

Dean is the one who IS fighting back. He's doing that by building the Party in all 50 states. He's doing that by building grassroots organizing efforts in all 50 states.

He has NO authority or power or influence over the Washington Dems and they hate him. Before he was even elected to the DNC they made him promise NOT to try to get nvolved in policy. That was Reid and Pelosi.

To fault Dean for the Washingtonians "not fighting back" is like faulting me for whatever your mother might have done wrong to you. You're fighting the wrong person. Or, actually, it's much WORSE because in your case what that attitude is doing for you is causing you to cut off your nose to spite your face. The Washingtonians aren't hurt a bit by your lack of funding of the DNC -- in fact, they probably relish it since I begin to see they WANT Dean to fail. Who's hurt is you and me and Dean and all of us across the nation who want to see the Party become something worthy of the name again.

I really believe that the party "leaders" put Dr. Dean in the position as DNC Chair just to try and keep the "core" from totally abandoning the party.

They weren't that smart, actually. They fought hard against him, putting up all SORTS of candidates to run against him, and begging a few others who wouldn't bite. But Dean worked hard and had already won the hearts of many. He won because and only because the grassroots voting members of the DNC (the delegates from all 50 states) VOTED HIM IN. It was a coup of the grassroots over the monied DLC interests.


But, he has no real power. If he "fails" at fund-raising, as they hope, they can say that it just proves that the path of the DLC is the right one. I am not falling for that.

Well, you fell for exactly half of it, the half that's actually true, this half. Soo, you yourself are in position to recognize how YOU are hurting his interests AND yours by withholding your financial support.

[BigBearJohn]

8. He has my 100% support. We live in an unperfect world.

If you don't stand for SOMETHING,
you will fall for ANYTHING!

(Just look at the Republicans)

This year, I am going to give ONE final, all-out
push to help elect a Democratic Congress.
I am going to give it my all.
Man the torpedoes. Look out.
I am NOT sitting this one out.
I don't care what ANYONE says.
It may be too late, but I will try
one more time.

This one is for keeps.

[jackstraw45]

9. Sorry Dr. Dean...

I've learned a lesson from the past few election cycles.

I suggest we support TRUE progressive dem candidates DIRECTLY.

This way, your donations won't be spent on DNC lunches and junkets with the DLC.

[BigBearJohn]

10. Who cares where you spend your money - just support DEMOCRATS

[RazzleDazzle]

25. Uh, don't look now, but the DLC hates Howard and it's probably

mutual (except I doubt Howard hates anyone, really). There'll BE no DLC junkets with Howard involved, you can bet on that. Your money sent to the DNC will NOT go for such frivoloties OR to those Howard knows full well are actually enemies of the DNC.

Plus, Howard's got a lifelong reputation as a cheapskate -- er, thrifty. That's another good reason you can trust him with your money.

But go ahead and also contribute to the candidates of your choice directly. That's always a good plan.

[Beaverhausen]

11. I just contributed

:kick:

[BigBearJohn]

17. You are my HERO!

:bounce: :yourock:

[Coexist]

16. I just did!

[BigBearJohn]

18. Thank you. You are saving our democracy. A real take-action person.

:bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock: :bounce: :yourock:

[babsbunny]

19. Barbra Streisand, can you spare a dime?

[ooglymoogly]

21. you are right it is time to sacrifice until we bleed

kick n nom

[PBass]

22. I gave 20 bucks, wish I could give more.

I support the HOWARD DEAN wing of the Democratic Party.

It's not Dean's fault that there are weak Dems and apologists in the party.

[BigBearJohn]

23. You rock! Wish we had 2 million more like you!

:toast:

[autorank]

26. I agree with Dean. I support Dean. I want more, like VOTING RIGHTS

mentioned in his appeals. Dean is the only one at DNC who gets it and I think he's restrained from mentioning this issue by the "wise ones." We'll win but we'll lose the "count" without some real, hard nosed, no bull shit, in your face work on the perps who run and/or out source our elections.

There needs to be a full court press on Elections officials and the "machine" people.

The machine people need huge demonstrations in front of their houses of filth and they need explicit warnings -- pull any of your shit and we'll boycott everything you make forever, FOREVER, get it FOREVER.

The officials need to be told we want observers there, looking right at every step of the process.

We need attorneys to challenge bogus elections immediately, fully informed of legal issues.

We also need to commission exit polls to catch fraud.

I dearly want to win in 2006. I had a taste in 2006 in VA. We beat Republicans in my precinct 66-32%, really bad in an area that is a Republican demographic dream. Just creamed them. We would have won with a hard core liberal by the same margin, that's how totally pissed off people are at *co. But, damn it, lets get our votes taken properly and counted fairly.

No more bull shit. Howard, I know you want to and that you can do it better than anybody alive -- shoot your mouth off about how the election machines companies are part of the Republican "culture of corruption." That will kick off a fire storm. You're good at that. And do it with a scowl on your face like you did with the stupid reporter on some morning ass wipe show.

Let DEAN be DEAN.