As a Dean supporter, I'm having a GREAT night! Woo-hoo!

[tedoll78]

First of all, The Bat. I've been a true follower of Dean's since 2002, but I was nervous about reaching $1 million by midnight tonight. So when Dean took the stage and waved The Bat around.. wow. Needless to say, I was hooting and jumping around the living room, thinking to myself, "That's going to look good on the pages of the New York Times!"

And before that came the congressional endorsements from the New York delegation. Again.. wow! Two more establishment delegates at the convention!

I realized something a few months ago: Trippi and Dean really know how to draw media attention. Gimmickery and original ideas both work well for them. An example? "Take Me Out To the Ball Game." I'm not a baseball fan by any means, but I was singing along, word for word, feeling the adrenaline. More campaign imagination on display for the world!

And THEN, after watching the Doc skillfully work the line after his - no, OUR rally, he ran back onstage and was surrounded by cameras! Like a rock star, but one who can change history! A few months ago, it was hard to imagine more than two or three press people following him, but now he's constantly horded!

So after all of that.. I log-on here to check-out other comments. And what do I find as the icing on the cake? Two flavors! The Washington Post's story on Dean beating Clinton's fundraising record, AND Dean taking a near-20-point lead in New Hampshire!

All in all.. this has been one of the best nights I've had on politics in a while. With the enthusiasm that the Democrats are collectively generating, I'm feeling very hopeful tonight. Woo-hoo!!!

:party: :bounce: :party: :toast: :party: :bounce: :party:

[gyopsy]

1. Me too--VERY hopeful

I'm pulling for Dean for the Dem nomination myself. I didn't know he would be such a force to be reckoned with at the start of the 2004 campaign.

I do think he's the man who can beat Bush. Anybody but Bush 2004!

[LeftCoast]

2. It is really nice to have a candidate that inspires hope and excitement!

The last candidate that did that for me was Clinton!

LeftCoast

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. The bat?!

What's that? I must be more out of the loop than I thought I was...

[tedoll78]

4. Dean's team often has a telethon-style fundraising challenge..

Represented by a bat. Some organizations use a thermometer that fills as the money raised gets closer to the goal, but Dean uses a baseball bat. The bat starts-out yellow and the line of red raises to fill the bat as more money is raised until the entire bat is red.

He set the goal of $1 million to raise between last Friday at 10AM and tonight at midnight - all online. And about 17000 people (lasdt time I checked) answered the challenge and raised a bit more than that amount.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Thanks!

I was picturing a large stuffed or cardboard bat, as in the mammal.

Hadn't realized he was big on bats.

Will he use at cabinet meetings if he gets elected president? Like in the godfather?

[Keithpotkin]

5. I was at the rally

and the energy was electric...i got home and i was practically expecting the news to tell me "Democracy Returns to America!!!" but no...i turn to CNN and they are still talking about ahnold.

but still...Dean is on his way...and is only gaining momentum.

a great night for dean, america, and maybe the world. :toast:

[madfloridian]

6. Hey, we watched you guys on C-Span!

You were so lucky to be there, and it was just awesome. We are jealous!

[Erika]

8. Just contributed $125.00 to Dr. Dean

Please forgive me but the last time I gave $ to a politician was $50.00 to McCain. We need a change. Dr. Dean has added excitement that hasn't existed for years.

[unfrigginreal]

10. Way to go Erika...

and I understand your sentiments on McCain too. We need somebody that's willing to say how they feel and do what they say! Good choice!

[Erika]

13. Thanks Unfriggen!

I lean democrat to independent. Gephardt and Lieberman are Bush lites and I wouldn't give a cent to either one of them. There is no difference between them and Bush.

[newyawker99]

16. Congrats Erika!! 200 posts

:toast:

[sonias]

7. Woo-hoo!!! me too

This is what I think is brilliant about Dean's campaign, he's using grassroots organizing and marketing. He's played hard the second he got in the race. He's empowering the people and inspiring them all at the same time. Using a bat, a great old American sports symbol, is great marketing. He's going to the bat, he's batting for the people, he's a team player, he's winning one for us. He's tough, he's a fighter. The symbolism is very effective.

I'm sold and not just on the symbolism, I'm sold on believing we can win. We've got the power to take this country back. I needed a doctor and he's just the Doctor I needed.

bush making you sick? - call the Doctor.

Sonia

[RetroLounge]

9. So this is what Democracy feels like?

Feels great!

We want our country back...

GO DEAN!

[pansypoo53219]

11. now

if only i could convince my texass e-pal of this and gephardt is NOT our savior.
he like ran in 88 and didn't do well THEN.
still no eyebrows. Sorry gep fans.

[caledesi]

14. tedoll - you sound like me...i was clapping, screaming...so

happy when I saw that bat. Dean was FANTASTIC in NY; I almost felt as though I was there.

Added bonus: While the cable shows will be itching to talk about *'s million dollar fundraiser, the story will be about Dean...believe me. He will take all the thunder away from the moran.

Woo Hoo! Happy, happy, happy

[StrongBad]

15. It was a great night.

Let's hope that he can keep the momentum throughout the rest of the campaign!