Dean Says entire Dem party will not take money from lobbyists or PACs

[JMDEM]

Just got this email

The Democratic Party
-----------------------
As we move toward the general election, the Democratic Party has to be the Party of
ordinary Americans, not Washington lobbyists and special interests. So, as of this
morning, if you're a federal lobbyist, or if you control political action committee
donations, we won't be accepting your donations.

http://www.democrats.org/nonlobbyists

Dear ***,

I wanted to drop you a quick note about a major policy change here at the Democratic
Party.

As we move toward the general election, the Democratic Party has to be the Party of
ordinary Americans, not Washington lobbyists and special interests. So, as of this
morning, if you're a federal lobbyist, or if you control political action committee
donations, we won't be accepting your contribution.

This is an unprecedented move for a political party to make -- one that has sent
shockwaves through Washington and has turned the debate on clean campaigns upside
down. We've unilaterally agreed to shut lobbyists out of the process, and are we're
relying on people just like you.

Just imagine what hundreds of thousands of Americans donating $20, $30, or $50 at a
time can accomplish together. Imagine the signal that it sends to anyone who looks
at John McCain's political machine and the special interest money it needs to fuel
every move it makes.

We have a chance to change the way business is done in this country, and we're
taking the lead. Will you join us and make a contribution right now to help us elect
Barack Obama?

http://www.democrats.org/nonlobbyists

I've written before about guys like Charlie Black and Rick Davis, lobbyists who are
at the highest levels of McCain's campaign. But they're just the start -- John
McCain and the RNC suck up lobbyist money millions of dollars at a time.

In May, McCain had his best fundraising month of the campaign, and it was directly
because he refuses to shut special interests out.

But we did, and we need your help. This is an example of the kind of White House
Barack Obama would run. Make a contribution to help elect him:

http://www.democrats.org/nonlobbyists

I'll be in touch later about our plans for the general election, but I wanted to let
you know about our policy change right away.

Thanks,

Howard Dean

[FirstLight]

1. A wave has begun...

viva la revolution!
no more corporations running our country? wow, what a concept.

let's hope it works!

[proud patriot]

2. Yes , I just got it myself

:)

[Warpy]

3. Sounds like a warning shot across K Street's bow

but I think he's going to have a hard time getting Democratic Congressmen off the lobbyist tit. It's a whole lot easier to take big wads of dirty money than work hard so the folks back home will give you enough clean money to get reelected.

It's still a step in the right direction.

[ColbertWatcher]

6. And I think a clear sign to Clinton. n/t

[cynatnite]

4. I have never been more proud of being a Democrat than I am right now n/t

[tridim]

5. This is gigantic news! WOW!

The Democrats are offering us our country back. Let's take it!

[Wilms]

7. .

[anigbrowl]

8. W00t! That's what I like to hear!

[Eric J in MN]

9. The DNC and the Obama campaign won't, but...

...the DSCC, DCCC, and candidates for Congress will.

[blonndee]

10. Kick. This is historic.

You guys, if you see the story on news sites, please click on it.

[unkachuck]

11. Good Doctor....

....you da man!!

[JMDEM]

12. Glad to see some folks not hanging around in GD-P...

And understanding how important this is.

[Califooyah Operative]

13. K&R

[RB TexLa]

14. The national party, they can't dictate that to state parties.

Have they sent NOW's and the AFL-CIO's PAC money back yet?