Dean "Hiding In The Grassroots" On Campaign Finance

[DrFunkenstein]

HIDING IN THE GRASSROOTS
by Jason Zengerle

Candidate: Howard Dean
Category: Intellectual Honesty
Grade: D

Howard Dean is in a tough spot when it comes to his campaign's finances. Once upon a time, when Dean was an upstart candidate who had yet to demonstrate a great aptitude for raising campaign cash, he pledged to participate in the public-financing system, which would entitle him to federal matching funds but would also limit his campaign spending to $45 million. But that pledge came before Dean had raked in more than $25 million in campaign contributions, and before President Bush had made clear that he was going to opt out of the public-financing system so he could raise and spend up to $170 million in the primary season. So now Dean, for obvious reasons, wants to opt out, too. The problem for Dean: how to do it without looking like a hypocrite?

Well, evidently Dean has his answer: He's going to act as if his supporters are telling him to do it. Last night, Dean sent out an e-mail to 500,000 Deaniacs asking them whether he should forego public-financing. His campaign has pledged to abide by their decision. "They are the ones that got us here," Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi told The New York Times, "so let them make the choice."

There's only one problem. The language Dean's campaign uses in its poll is so blatantly slanted in favor of the opt-out option that it's hard to see how any Dean supporter would choose to stick with the public-financing system. If Dean's campaign accepts federal matching funds, the e-mail warns, "our spending will be capped at $45 million--and the greatest grassroots movement in the history of presidential politics will be stopped from raising money almost immediately. ... If we accept federal matching funds--and the $45 million spending cap that goes with it--they will have a $155 million spending advantage against us. From March through August, they will be able to define and distort us, and we will have no way to defend ourselves." On the other hand, if the Dean campaign opts out, the e-mail explains, "we free ourselves to raise the money needed to defend ourselves during the crucial months from March through August against the attacks of George Bush and his special interest backers." So is there anyone in favor of sticking with the public finance system? I didn't think so.

Dean has good reason to opt out: there's no point in standing on principle if it means sinking your campaign. But he should stand up and admit that the decision to opt out is his and his alone and is not necessarily the will of the people.

http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=934

I know, I know. It's TNR. Now try addressing the actual point FOR ONCE instead of the pointer.

[meegbear]

1. He'll be just like *

That says a lot.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Is there a "Vermont Pioneers"?

let's be fair, there's only one GW Bush.

[dsc]

36. I want a link

and I want it now, of even one Vermonter who has raised 100k for Dean.

[Capn Sunshine]

5. I guess you like the prospect of unanswered media campaigns better

it seems that what you're encouraging.
Maybe you already HAVE mentioned your candidate.

[Cha]

33. It says "a lot" that you bring out the bush

card cause you got nothin' else to say.

[Classical_Liberal]

52. No he's not unless you think 50 to 70 dollar

contributions from ordinary folks is the same thing as 2000 dollar contributions from corporate chronies.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. You do realize that Dean just handed us an opportunity

on whether or not to continue using federal matching funds (which caps at $45M) or just forego the damn thing. The issue is up for a vote tomorrow through Friday.

I will vote HELL yes to toss away the fucking federal matching, and continue to raise funds. Dean has maxed out at only 2% of his supporters, and he sure AS hell has the oppurtunity to raise millions more. If he can raise $300,000 in four days (for Halloween, as an example), he's getting better in fundraising skills, and with the right staff in position, and wooing more major fundraisers, I believe he can pace *'s $175M-200M warchest.

TNR can go bite me.

Hawkeye-X

[DrFunkenstein]

8. Can They Really Bite You?

"Dean has good reason to opt out: there's no point in standing on principle if it means sinking your campaign. But he should stand up and admit that the decision to opt out is his and his alone and is not necessarily the will of the people."

Besides the eye-rolling faux-populism, I think this goes to Kerry's point that we elect a leader, not a staff.

[Cha]

34. tnr is a stinky little magazine that I cancelled

a year or more ago because of their pro war stance.

[polpilot]

56. Go Hawkeye, Toss it & go!!! Kerry supporters are on 'Whine Alert' through

the wekend.

Dean '04...Rebel w/a Cause

[Hep]

4. Let's see if I can get this in before it is locked

I'm voting yes. Everyone I know is voting yes. And we had this discussion three months ago.

So maybe it would be nice if for once the anti-Dean crowd would stop acting like we're a bunch of brainwashed zealots who can't think objectively about issues.

I expect it from TNR, but the last thing I expect is well meaning, intelligent liberals QUOTING it. Thanks for the vote of confidence in hundreds of thousands of people ON YOUR SIDE.

[deutsey]

6. Sure you don't have anything from National Review?

:evilgrin:

Of course the campaign wants to opt out and so they're going to make the case for it; but they're also leaving it up to the supporters to decide ultimately. Contrary to what some may believe here, we're not brainwashed zealots blindly doing The Master's bidding (that's the GOP). Some of us are even rather independent minded and (don't tell anyone) even say critical things about Dean.

[w4rma]

7. It's Jason Zengerle's opinion. And, IMHO, it's a poorly thought out one.

IMHO, TNR is the paper of limousine liberals (as opposed to working-class liberals) who would rather get that corporate funding.

[Classical_Liberal]

54. I wouldn't even give them that much credit

They are neocon moles.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mzmolly]

10. He may be the first prez candidate to EVER do this. I say GO DEAN!!!!

All the way to the OO!

[DrFunkenstein]

13. I Agree

"Dean has good reason to opt out: there's no point in standing on principle if it means sinking your campaign. But he should stand up and admit that the decision to opt out is his and his alone and is not necessarily the will of the people."

I think he absolutely should opt out. He'd be stupid not to. But this is nothing more than trying to get political cover. Which demonstrates a lack of leadership. Which is, you know, important.

[DFLforever]

48. Not a copout but an intelligent survey - because the people being asked

are the one's who will have to increase their contributions if they decide Dean should forgoe matching funds...I know I wouldn't vote yes unless I was prepared to back it up with more money.

[blm]

31. Bush did it.

.

[RetroLounge]

11. Oh look, it's another Clarkie Circle Jerk

:boring: :boring: :boring: :boring:
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[killbotfactory]

12. I want him to opt out.

Dean can continue to raise money, mostly from small donors, which is in the spirit of the campaign finance reform, so why handicap him?

[DrFunkenstein]

15. Once Again, No One Disagrees

It is the cheap faux-populism as political cover which is disappointing. I think it's disrespectful, ultimately, of his supporters. He knows their answer, but he wants to exploit them when he has no need to. They will all understand if he opts out. They shouldn't be used like this.

[w4rma]

19. Dean already understands how his supporters feel about this issue, IMHO.

He IS listening to his supporters on it. And now he's formalising that support in a hard poll of his supporters.

[DrFunkenstein]

45. If He Did, He Wouldn't Slant The Phrasing

It sounds like he doesn't trust his supporters to make the non-progressive choice of pragmatism.

[killbotfactory]

20. I think it's cool, and shows what a great campaign this is.

They get people involved in the direction of the campaign and dominate the news cycle after the election results and the rock the vote debate. brilliant.

[NashVegas]

28. Faux Populism or Inclusion?

Total analogy:

My parents divorced when I was a kid. My mom had dated a few men, but never got serious about anyone until I was about 10 or 11. One day she sat me down and explained to she wanted to have this particular guy sleep over on weekends and not on the couch, like he'd previously done occasionally, but she wanted my consent.

Looking back I have little doubt that if I'd said 'no,' unless I were adamant, she would probably have been able to manipulate me (non-malignantly, of course) to coming around to the answer she wanted to hear.

To this day, making me a part of that decision or at least feel like I had a say, is one of the things I most respect her for.

I don't think Dean is treating the folks on his email list is exactly the same thing, nor like talking to an 11 year old - but symbolically I appreciate what he's doing.

[Classical_Liberal]

55. I don't think he is a faux populist

getting more money from the little guy certainly doesn't prove him a fake.

[mzmolly]

14. Look Dean and Kerry are tied with a "D" in the same category.

"Candidate: John Kerry
Category: Intellectual Honesty
Grade: D

On Sunday's edition of "Meet the Press," in what will surely become a familiar refrain of the next few weeks, John Kerry criticized Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt because they want to "raise taxes on the middle class."

We've heard this before, of course. Whether to repeal all of the Bush tax cuts (as Dean and Gephardt propose) or merely those affecting wealthy American exclusively (as the rest of the Democrats propose) has probably generated more argument than any other domestic issue in the presidential campaign. But it was the specific language Kerry used that caught my attention: "If you're a $40,000 income earner, Howard Dean's going to raise your taxes more than 20 times," Kerry said. "And I don't want to do that."

So would Dean (and, by extension, Gephardt) really raise taxes "more than 20 times" on a "40,000 income earner"?

Nope."

Read on ...

http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=646

[DrFunkenstein]

17. I Actually Wrote To The Campaign About That

I didn't think it made sense to use extreme examples as representative. He could have said it was an extreme example and it would have been fine.

I'm not saying that TNR loves anyone except Lieberman. But they do have the occasional valid point - even against Kerry.

[mzmolly]

16. And, TNR gives Wes Clark a "D" in Foreign Policy...

Candidate: Wesley Clark
Category: Foreign Policy
Grade: D

Gosh is this the kind of 'stuff' we want to post here YUK! ;)

"According to the Associated Press, during an Internet forum yesterday timed to coincide with an appearance at Keene State College in New Hampshire, Wesley Clark wrote that political development in Iraq should be turned over to international organizations. Indeed, the AP reported, Clark "would put the United Nations or another international organization in charge of the political development in the country and take the U.S. out of that position."

What's the evidence that this would be a wise move? Previous efforts at political development led by the United Nation, in places like Cambodia and East Timor, have hardly been stunning successes. And while it may be important to turn over some duties of reconstruction to skilled U.N. officials who have operated in warzones before, putting the United Nations in charge of political development in Iraq, before a constitution is written and an initial government is elected, is unlikely to serve America's interests or result in positive change."

[DrFunkenstein]

18. If You Want To Play This

NOT RACIST, BUT BOORISH
by Clay Risen

Candidate: Howard Dean
Category: General Likeability
Grade: D

Howard Dean, contrary to his opponents' criticisms, is not a racist. It seems absurd to have to say that, but the fallout from his comment about wooing "guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks" has been swift, harsh, and just a little too tinged with schadenfreude. But saying Dean isn't a racist doesn't get him off the hook for being a boor. In fact, his comments point to another dirty stereotype altogether: that of southern whites. Which is too bad, because the substantive thinking behind Dean's comments is right-on. Democrats need to reach out to sections of the country that are getting shafted by the administration but, for various cultural reasons, vote Republican.

Yesterday in Iowa, Dean tried to clarify his statement by saying that he was simply highlighting his appeal to the southern working class. And it's true that there are some folks in that category who sport the Stars and Bars in their Chevies. But lots of working-class southern whites don't have a particular affection for the flag, and they would be offended to see themselves grouped underneath it (particularly if it's coming from an Ivy League-educated, northeastern politician). Dean is using a divisive symbol as a stand-in for an enormous group of people--in other words, he's stereotyping.

http://www.tnr.com/primary/index.mhtml?pid=929

I'm not sure what your point is.

[w4rma]

22. That TNR is a poor magazine to trust the opinions of. (n/t)

[sangh0]

23. The point is, she can't defend Dean

for exploiting his "grass roots", so she attacks the other candidates while complaining about how unfair it is that everyone attacks Dean

[mzmolly]

26. LOL, I was joking kids...

chill mmmk? Dean is letting his supporters decide on this issue, too bad if his non supporters don't like it.

That's all I have to say. There's nothing do 'defend'.

[sangh0]

30. Be honest

and explain how your posts with links to articles criticizing other Dems were merely your way of saying "Dean is letting his supporters decide on this issue, too bad if his non supporters don't like it."

[Cha]

38. Mzmolly is "honest"!

And I agree with that sentiment.."too bad" if Dean's bashers "don't like it". they don't "like" anything..why should this be different?

[mzmolly]

46. Thanks Zidzi...

:yourock: I could care less if Deans non contributing non supporters like OUR decision ... PERIOD! ;)

[SahaleArm]

21. Look at the October GPAs

Lieberman ranks the highest:).

[DrFunkenstein]

24. Exactly - I Take Them Argument By Argument

Most of their stuff is crap, but there is an occassional gem here and there.

[Egnever]

25. the point is addressed in your article

But that pledge came before Dean had raked in more than $25 million in campaign contributions, and before President Bush had made clear that he was going to opt out of the public-financing system so he could raise and spend up to $170 million in the primary season.


I agree it would be more curageuos to stand up and say he changed his mind. But it would also be foolish.

People like you who spend thier lives trying to dig up any oportunity to bash the man are salivating for thier next oportunity to try to make him out as waffling or hypocritical.

He is doing the smart thing. lettting his suporters make the decision and sticking to it. As a firm supporter I say lay the blame at my feet all you want goveneor I know what the right thing is to do in this situation and I am happy to take the heat off you for once again doing the right thing instead of the politically safe thing.

Now if he would just hury up and send that email so I could vote!

[poskonig]

27. Regardless of how it is slanted, I'm voting to opt-out.

The grassroots is the entire point of Dean's campaign; doing public financing only hurts his growth potential, which will be massive.

[bbmykel]

29. I disagree with your premise....

... that it's 1) exploitive, and 2) that it shows lack of leadership.

Anyone who has had to roll out any kind of policy knows that you need "buy in" from the people affected. Dean needs buy-in from his campaign supporters in order to make this decision. Of course his presentation was slanted toward the direction that he is leaning (as would anyone making a 'presentation') but it's important that we understand his case for making this decision and this is a good way of presenting it. Also, rather than "exploitation" it involves people. Even if you don't believe our opinion really matters and he will do what he wants anyway (I don't believe that by the way butI do belive the vote will go the way he wants), making us vote on the matter helps us reaffirm our commitment. It also helps him to see the level of commitment--in terms of the number of responses and which responses they are. If he gets even 50-50 could tell him a lot (about potential fundraising, about losing supporters over this etc).

And contrary to your conclusion, I believe this shows exactly the kind of leadership qualities needed by an executive to move opinion in the desired direction (you know like a President with Congress). Three months ago, if he had asked the same question, I suspect the response would have been different. He's made his case, he's timed it right to get the response he wants. Leadership.

Mike

[Cha]

32. YOu're right, MIke! It's all about the

"Leadership"! Thanks, I enjoyed reading your point of view.

[dsc]

35. Is there even one dishonest or exaggerated statement in that email?

Is it not true that we will be out spent by $155million if we take the funds? Is it not true that we will be capped from March to August? Is it not true that Bush won't be so capped? If those statemetns are true, and I think they are, then just how is this dishonest?

[Cha]

37. The "truth" doesn't stop some people from distorting

it to suit their agenda which thanks be to the "gods must be crazy" we don't have to live by!

[DrFunkenstein]

42. Why Don't People Actually Read The Posts?

"Dean has good reason to opt out: there's no point in standing on principle if it means sinking your campaign. But he should stand up and admit that the decision to opt out is his and his alone and is not necessarily the will of the people.

[dsc]

57. You, nor TNR,

have no idea if it is or isn't his decision. His complaint, and yes I read both your post and his article, is that by sending a dishonest email he has rigged the 'election'. So my question is just what is dishonest about the email?

BTW This is the paragraph you posted, from the article, did you read it.

There's only one problem. The language Dean's campaign uses in its poll is so blatantly slanted in favor of the opt-out option that it's hard to see how any Dean supporter would choose to stick with the public-financing system. If Dean's campaign accepts federal matching funds, the e-mail warns, "our spending will be capped at $45 million--and the greatest grassroots movement in the history of presidential politics will be stopped from raising money almost immediately. ... If we accept federal matching funds--and the $45 million spending cap that goes with it--they will have a $155 million spending advantage against us. From March through August, they will be able to define and distort us, and we will have no way to defend ourselves." On the other hand, if the Dean campaign opts out, the e-mail explains, "we free ourselves to raise the money needed to defend ourselves during the crucial months from March through August against the attacks of George Bush and his special interest backers." So is there anyone in favor of sticking with the public finance system? I didn't think so.

end of quote

Note the underlined part. The author of this piece is clearly accusing Dean of using a dishonest email to rig his election on campaign funding. So yes sir, I read your post. Did you? Oh and again, please point out the dishonest part of his email.

[dsc]

39. btw I didn't get the email due to switching email accounts

can someone who did post the entire email here. I would like to know the extent to which TNR cut and clipped.

[CityDem]

40. Dean should show some leadership

This is a blatant attempt by Dean to avoid making a unpopular decision. Leaders have to make tough decisions and Dean is whimping out on this one. Instead of letting his contributors decide this matter, he should stand up and state that he wants to be competitive in the general election, needs the money and has changed his position. Most people will gladly accept his new position.

If Dean is elected President, is he going to send out 500K emails to his supporters to decide whether he should respond to an act of terrorism or reform medicare? The more I get to know Howard Dean, the more unimpressed I become.

[Brian Sweat]

41. In all honesty, I don't see why this is a problem.

As long as he is not taking huge contributions from individuals or corporations, then why should he hamstring himself when Bush is going to raise two or three times as much money.

[DrFunkenstein]

43. Again

"Dean has good reason to opt out: there's no point in standing on principle if it means sinking your campaign. But he should stand up and admit that the decision to opt out is his and his alone and is not necessarily the will of the people.

[seventhson]

44. The Right Wing Hates Dean. The People Love Him and Will Pay to Lick Bush

The Reality that Dean has tapped in to is that sheer numbers can beat Bush.

The corporations will pay Bush whatever it takes to outdistance Dean or any other candidate in $$$. They are scared shitless of Dean.

Clark and Kerry are nosediving. They do NOT have the numbers and cannot raise the grassroots money.


FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY - the technological means exists for a grass roots movement to defeat the corporate moneyed interests (both in the primaries and the general election). The corporate DLC candidates are plummeting (Clark/Kerry/Lieberman) and the Corporatre fascist BFEE is on the ropes.

The Americans and the whole world have Put Bush on the Ropes -- (no small thanks to the French and German people and their governments).

It will take a popular uprising to unseat the coup placed Bush.

That uprising can only come if the Dean campaign has equal opportunity to contend with Bush and the resources to do it. WE THE PEOPLE who support Dean and WE THE PEOPLE who oppose Bush CAN defeat Bush.

In terms of resources this is the first effort in American history that can TRULY be a defeat of the rich by the common people.

THIS is what Dean wants approval to do.

He wants and needs a level playing field.

In SHEER numbers we can put Dean in the White House.

Anyone who opposes this effort or criticizes it must really want Bush to win.

Dean is doing the right thing and he is getting his supporters support for it as he KNOWS this is the only way he can compete with the people who are getting BILLIONS from Bush in Iraq contracts.


Thanks for asking Howie.

[DrFunkenstein]

49. I Think We Have Found THE Perfect Dean Supporter Sentiment

"Anyone who opposes this effort or criticizes it must really want Bush to win."

<>

[Starpass]

47. I'm a Clark or Kerry supporter and I say:

(actually I'm getting precariously close to not giving a fucking damn about any candidate) but I say that any candidate of the Dem party who can bring in any fucking money needs to bring it in. Stop with the false umbridge at how a candidate does it, doesn't do it, etc. You all know you would have your candidate do whatever it takes to get bucks to score. That said I want to conclude with one point: All of you stop your bullshit and just admit whomever they are, they ARE goddam politicians all.....and what you see today ain't what you are going to get tomorrow. Now grow up and play politics. It's a money game. Go for the most money, Mr. Dean because you aren't going to get elected on your pretty face--none of them are.

[DrFunkenstein]

50. Who Said He Shouldn't Go For The Money?

But he really should have the balls to just admit it, rather than hiding behind his supporters.

I said the same thing about Dean's skiing in Vietnam. If he just came out and said I didn't want to go, I'd be cool. Since that time, he has said so and I respect him much more for it.

I think he'd be dumb not to opt out. That's not the issue. He's passing the buck.

[Starpass]

53. Dr. F--did you notice something I said??

..the part about being precariously close to not giving a damn about any of the candidates?? Honey, they are all playing pass the football, hide the weeny, "to the right, to the right, to the left to the left, slide, slide" shuffle on one thing or another. About the only one (bless his soul) who is who he is is Dennis K. He ain't gonna win nuttin' but he's about as pure and consistent as they come. If we are looking for purity, go to a monastic order (opps, better not ask the alter boys questions)...but in politics it's don't ask and don't ever, ever tell. These are all grown up boys and girls and they are all a bit shady to the core. Our task is to find which shady shiester will at least throw a few pennies to the peons on the way up the money/power ladder and that isn't easy to figure out!!!

[Classical_Liberal]

51. First off

He didn't pledge anything. It is just assumed dems will take them because up until Dean came along we(democrats) weren't doing very well. You see we were trying to get funded from the same people who fund Bush and that isn't easy. Nobody realized just how enthusiastic the grassroots were to pound Bush. The success of the grassroots drive surprised even Dean.

In other words this is a bullshit issue but I expect no different from TNR.