The $7.5 Million-Dollar Man

The $7.5 Million-Dollar Man -- This analysis in The American Prospect looks at the appeal of Howard Dean...an appeal that has resulted in significant donations in the last quarter -- significant not only in the amount but in the amount of people involved.

Dean has been able to build a following and raise the bar on per-quarter fundraising not by working his friendships with wealthy trial lawyers, relying on decades of contacts with the rich and powerful, or building the best Internet-based campaign American politics has yet seen. He's done it by steadfastly promoting a pugnacious, optimistic, forward-looking message and by coupling it with a campaign organization smart enough to let his supporters help him. In the post-McCain-Feingold world, the Democratic Party has struggled to figure out how to attract small-sum donors: In the last election cycle, 64 percent of donations less than $200 went to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, while Democrats grew fat and sick on big money from those who gave more than $1 million. Dean has cracked the nut and done what six months ago looked to be impossible: He has figured out how to compete based on donations the size of the fat cats' monthly Starbucks expenditures...

...In this world, whatever the mainstream press is saying about Dean's role as the campaign's angry candidate is rejected. His supporters say that they are drawn to him because they find his message inspiring, upbeat, honest and forward-looking -- and because it makes them feel strong again.

A quick summary of the main themes Dean's supporters returned to again and again during yesterday's "Deanathon" online fundraising drive shows that they believe his message is more about patriotism and hope than it is about disaffection or rage. Admittedly these comments all come from true believers. But when was the last time any Democratic candidate generated true belief?

With the exception of getting involved in an 18-year-old voting campaign 35 years ago, I've never really been all that politically active. However, I can see how all these people are supporting Dean.

He says things that resonate with me as well, in a manner that drowns out the wishy-washy "big name" candidates in today's Democratic field without the over-the-top histrionics of some of the other wannabes. He comes off to me as a credible, clearly progressive centrist. Someone who has the potential to get this aging boomer's political juices flowing in a way they did the night of Clinton's first inauguration. Someone who has seen one of the best minds of the political generation implode and will, I'm sure, do what's necessary to avoid the same hubris. Someone worth watching, especially with the recently demonstrated root-based support.

Of course, Dems and Dean can't get complacent. The Republicans have a popular incumbent and their right-wing supporters know how to work their roots as well. Of course, complacency can run both ways.