Is Dean Talk Of Wisconsin An Attempt To Cover Expenses?

[DrFunkenstein]

It is quite possible that Dean could end up actually owing money in a very short time (in hindsight, those early ads in Texas don't seem like such a good idea). The staff is on a pay-freeze, and TV ads are virtually non-existent. His e-mails to his supporters make it seem that if they don't throw 50 bucks his way, the whole dream is going to collapse.

I feel bad that there are so many people out there who feel like Dean was speaking for them personally, and a Dean loss is almost equivalent to a personal loss. Alot of people invested both scarce money and a whole lot of emotion into his run, only to watch it slip away within a week or two. That's a hard thing to live with for anyone.

I feel almost guilty at this point suggesting that Dean's motivations are driven by anything beyond a belief in fighting the good fight, but it would be dishonest to suggest otherwise. I certainly think that is part of it, but only part.

The song "Losing My Religion" keeps coming to my head, with the nagging feeling that I am being condescending. But that is not my intentions at all. Watching something you believe deeply in slip away is painful enough. To watch Dean fire Trippi and hire a lobbyist is whole other level.

I have tremendous mixed-emotions. I was clearly no fan of Dean's (although he was honestly my second choice for a very long time), but I can't help but feel crappy watching his movement implode. Although the fanatical wing of his support was unfortunate, I truly believe that most of his supporters were just decent people pissed off at Bush, the Iraq war, and years of lukewarm Democrats. They wanted someone who had the right beliefs AND some balls. I have nothing but admiration for all these people who put so much of themselves into making a difference at long last.

And so, I guess my ambivalence comes from liking the majority of Dean supporters, and having little love for their candidate. It's hard for me not to be cynical about his motivations as the clock runs down, but I feel like crap for being cynical about someone good people feel so strongly about.

Any thoughts from Dean people or supporters of other candidates on the matter?

[jmaier]

1. I'm not a Howard Dean

supporter but I truly believe that he isn't the kind of man that would solicit campaign funds under false pretenses. I suspect that Wisconsin is his planned last stand and that he will give it his best shot.

[HereSince1628]

6. I am a Dean supporter and the only thing I can imagine

is that Dean stopped last week in order to prevent ending up owing a huge amount of money.

He had 5 million left but as I understand it he stopped television commercials all over.

Figuring 3 networks, time at least every hour between 5 and 9 pm, and average cost per 30 seconds...he would have needed from $600,000-$900,000 for each state. If he had had an unencumbered 5 mil he would have bought the advertising.

[On the Road]

2. I Don't Think So

a lot of campaigns end up in the red, but there's no reason to think that Dean's is among them.

[lastknowngood]

3. spread the republican line

to someone else. Between the DLC/DNC/RNC they have tried everything to destroy him because he speaks for the people and no one owns him.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. Which Part Is The Republican Line?

I thought I was being fairly frank. Do you mean because I support Kerry and Dean called him a Republican?

[indigo32]

4. Dr Funk

I like you too... but if you "feel almost guilty...suggesting that Dean's motivations are driven by anything beyond a belief in fighting the good fight" perhaps you shouldn't bother discussing the situation at all. Forgive me if I have mixed feelings about your post too... we've had alot of posts like this that are hard to take at face value. Frankly I think Dean wants to put the new ads in WI and see if it flys. Why shouldn't he if we're still willing to pay for them.
Enough of this "sympathy"
We'll see ya at the convention.

[wiggle-room]

5. Gee, how long did you have to search for that picture?

I feel guilty about having this cynical feeling that there may be some effort afoot to demoralize a great group of people (who support a great cause) by expoiting a current vulnerability.



tsk

[DrFunkenstein]

9. Just My Honest Perspective

And if I wanted to demoralize Dean supporters, I could have been alot more brutal. I put out my own feelings on the matter, and I made it clear that I am no Dean fan and that my perspective should be understood as such.

When there were endless threads pointing out the demise of Kerry's campaign, we weren't demoralized. We were fighters, and that's what I expected from the Dean people. There's nothing wrong with being vulnerable. In fact, that's where people show courage and faith.

PS - The picture is easily available on the AP wire.

[LoZoccolo]

7. Is that Al Sharpton as your avatar?

:eyes:

[slinkerwink]

11. yes, that's Al Sharpton who is being funded by a Republican operative

[Pax Argent]

12. Yep, the same Al Sharpton that low-bridged Dean on the

Vermont Governor's staff question.

A GOP operative in your operation on a good day is suspicious.......

[slinkerwink]

10. the staff isn't on a pay freeze, and hasn't been for the past six days

[GumboYaYa]

13. Staff got paid in full this week.

Over $5.0 million in the bank after paying debts BEFORE raising another million the lasttwo days.

I tink there may be some people really surprised and disappointed after the first quarter numbers get released and it won't be the Dean supporters.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

17. Frankly, I don't care how much money Dean raises.

He wasn't able to buy any of the previous elections and he won't be able to buy any of the upcoming elections either.

[JNelson6563]

14. We want to win--easy peasy

Sorry to throw a wet blanket on this juicy theory but you may have noticed the race ain't over yet:



It could be the Dean campaign ain't buyin' the media's propaganda.

Just my .0125

Julie

[farmbo]

15. So you're accusing Dean of running a f*%!kin' scam?!...

...and his supporters-- all half a million of 'em-- of being naive 'marks' for the vile Dean campaign- hustlers?!

Your cynicism is breathtaking!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

18. Dean called it a 'ploy' on CNN.

[TheDonkey]

16. Yes, in his words a ploy

Dean is toast this weekend, and is polling equal to Lieberman in WI. Now it seems that if Dean loses in WI that he'll pack up and try another state again.

Unless Dean is going to get some Joementum he should pack up and save his supporters the pain of dragging this out even longer.

[Moderator]

19. Locking......

8. If you make a factual assertion about a candidate that is not generally accepted to be true, you must provide a link to a reputable source to back up your claim. Allegedly "innocent" questions which are actually an underhanded effort to spread rumors are not allowed. If you really need to know the answer to your question, try Google.



DU Moderator