I think the bat will pick up a bit as some of us get holiday bonuses and gift money. Also, no one can really estimate yet how much snail-mail is coming in and how much is lying uncounted in Santa's Mailbag. My estimate: 16 million, 4-5 in last minute receipts.

Not only that, but I think as January progresses and tax refund time gets near, they may be planning a second "Keep us Going" bat to take care of early primaries.

Dean's legendary frugality is paying off, isn't it? He has money to spare,so he doesn't have to do a dramatic end of year push for funds. If he wasn't flush in saved money, he wouldn't have set the bat so low: $1.5 million by December 31st. And no word from the blog that suggests he has to cut back anywhere for any reason either, so I think he's set.