Democracy Bonds; or how I said Fuck You to Chris Cillizza

In his Washington Post column today (which I won't link to), Chris Cillizza brought out the same talking point that will be brought out every three months while Howard Dean is still DNC Chair: Howard Dean is drying up the Democrats' funds.

To make his point, he states how the Republicans are beating Democrats in fundraising 2 to 1.   NO SHIT, SHERLOCK.  The Republicans have always outraised us, except they usually beat us by much much more.

More below the fold...

The fact of the matter is, the RNC's fundraising has remained flat, while the DNC's increased $10 million since last cycle.  So if you want to put responsibility for Democrats' fundraising on Howard Dean, go for it.  He's even done better than Mr. Fundraiser himself, Terry MacAuliffe.  And that's not even counting the money that Dean has pulled in to state Democratic parties.

In writing this hit piece, Chris Cillizza probably wanted to discourage Democrats from giving money to Howard Dean's DNC.  Fuck Chris Cillizza.  Let's make the opposite happen.

I've been waiting for the right time to buy my Democracy Bond, and I think that time is now.  The Democratic Party has absolutely kicked ass the past few weeks, so it's time for me to put my money where my mouth is.

I'm going to invest in the Democratic Party by buying a Democracy Bond.

Who's with me?

[Update]: Also not mentioned in the piece was the huge fundraising advantage the DSCC has over the RSCC. I'm sure it was an honest mistake.

[Update 2]: I don't think I made my objective clear. Basically, I want the next DNC press release to say "WaPo hit piece brings in $x to the DNC and #### new Democracy Bonds"

[Update 3]: See NuevoLiberal's comment for how you can spread the word about Democracy Bonds. You could recommend this diary, too :)

[Update 4]: Now you can print out Democracy Bond signup forms to give to your non-internet-junkie friends! Go print out the form for your friends next time you see them.

•  Who's with me?

  by Fran for Dean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:25:10 PM PDT

  •  One factor

    This was not a presidential election year and that plays a factor in it.

    But yea, I hope we raise more than the RNC next year!

    by dsolzman on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:26:20 PM PDT

    •  also

      This was left as a comment over at my blog.  I think it's a must read and partly explains why I left the comment I am replying to now.

      by dsolzman on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:38:04 PM PDT

  •  I'm with you

    I'm unemployed after but I still signed up for a bond.  It's only $10.00. I signed up for Dean.  I don't understand some Kossacks saying they won't give because somebody somewhere in the Dem party is doing something that they don't like. Dean is working his butt off.  Please get his back.

     

    by Kitty on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:06:36 PM PDT

    •  Thanks

      but don't say it's "only $10."  With that Democracy Bond, you're telling the DNC that you're going to support them with a $10 contribution every month, and they can plan on it being there.

      Those $10 means it's that much more time Dean has to get to the real work of rebuilding the Democratic Party and begging the corporate masters for contributions.  You want campaign finance reform.  The Doctor's giving you a huge dose of it.

      by Fran for Dean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:13:16 PM PDT

      •  and NOT begging the corporate masters...

        what a bad typo

        by Fran for Dean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:15:17 PM PDT

        •  That did it for me. Corporate masters, and all

          of that bull, so YES!, I signed up for the bond, was waiting, but decided this was more important!  Still have to give to local efforts, tho, so gotta watch the money.  Come on everyone do this so we can say that the corporate America effort is dead.  I am so sick of it.

          by panicbean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:02:09 PM PDT

  •  I'm totally with you; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    I'll post compact html code for the Democracy Bond button and sigline code here soon.
    
    
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:11:14 PM PDT

    •  Tips for promoting Democracy Bonds

      1. Email: simply send the URL: http://democrats.org/democracybonds.html to as many friends, family, and co-workers as you can.

      2. sigline promotion: Post the following sigline html code for your blog memberships (copy+paste; change the text message to your taste):
      <a href="http://democrats.org/democracybonds.html">Democracy Bonds. Get one!</a>

      At dKos, for instance, you can visit yout user page, and click "My Profile", and copy-paste the code above to the "Comments Signature" box (also to the "Bio" field, if you'd like)

      3. Buttons: post D-Bond buttons on your blogs and websites. Here is example code (instr. as for sigline). Code: <a href="http://democrats.org/democracybonds.html"><img src="http://tinyurl.com/czzsd"><br><i>Save our Democracy!</i></a>

      (additional tip for advanced users: save the D-Bonds gif image at the address http://tinyurl.com/czzsd to the usual place where you save your images (add the .gif extension while at it), and change the image URL in the code above)
      

      by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:35:42 PM PDT

    •  Please help me out here

      we also need a way to take the concept to people who're not online.

      Please ask the DNC to make us a version we can print out and give people in person.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:32:44 PM PDT

      •  resp.

        Please ask the DNC to make us a version we can print out and give people in person.

        Did so by sending off a letter from their contact page. Please see my comment here

        I encourage others to do the same.
        
        
        

        by NeuvoLiberal on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 12:36:28 AM PDT

      •  clarification

        Just wanted to clarify something Allison, since you said "Please ask the DNC to make us a version we can print out and give people in person."

        I should hasten to tell you that I am not employed by the DNC (or anyone else that I promote :))

        I love the concept of these Dem. Bonds, and therefore I am trying to voluntarily help Dean and the DNC, just as you folks are!
        

        by NeuvoLiberal on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 12:46:00 AM PDT

      •  Here's a Democracy Bonds community building kit

        that folks will be using at the November 15th Organizing Kickoff Meetings. Highly printable -- get the kit here.

        by Joe Rospars on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 08:09:28 AM PDT

        •  Joe -- that item is close, but not quite

          Please note -- as I said elsewhere.

          This doc gives 2 choices:
          --charge my card every month
          --I do not want to get a Democracy Bond right now.

          I am SERIOUS there are at least 2 people on my block who would get a Democracy Bond and make the commitment to send it in themselves if I gave them a piece of paper, and a nice simple explanation.

          Not everyone wants their card charged every month, you know? Some people like to mail a check. In the case of a check, at least you don't lose the 3% card-processing charge, tho it may take time to process.

          For heaven's sakes -- let's stop excluding people who would otherwise be happy to participate.

          by AllisonInSeattle on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:46:40 PM PDT

  •  My Fellow-Deaniacs, HOWARD Needs YOU!

    Please RECOMMEND the the diary ASAP, to make it hit the recommended list and stay there for a while!
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:40:00 PM PDT

    •  Clarkies also have your back

      Chris Cillizza just wrote about possible 2008 presidential candidates and omitted Wesley Clark. Only after he was browbeat with a million WTF comments from his readers did he post an update.

      by joejoejoe on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 03:34:25 AM PDT

  •  My reaction exactly ...

    I was rather frustrated reading it yesterday and was planning to move from having donated occasionally to a Democracy Bond.  Your fundraising appeal pushed me over the edge ... I'm in for $10.01 / month.

    NOTE THAT:  Please make sure, if you do a Democracy Bond based on a DKos appeal, that it ends at $.01 per month.  Send that online activism notice.

    by besieged by bush on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 07:26:53 AM PDT

•  I'm With You

  I've been making excuses for not buying a Democracy Bond until now.  Silly excuses like saving up for my daughter's upcoming wedding and helping my son with living expenses in graduate school.

  I've got my priorities straight now.  I'm going to pony up.  And I'll still help out the kids.

  by donna in evanston on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:28:15 PM PDT

  •  What kind of $$ are we talking about anyway?

    There are many of us who can afford $10 per month.  How many Democrats are out there?  If only one million of us contribute that much, that's $120Mil per year. Imagine $20/mo = $240mil at the end of the year.  Imagine 2mil contributors at $20/mo = $480mil/year! Considering that these guys normally only raise about $100mil/year, those goals seem reachable.

    For some reason, I have never quite taken the Democracy Bonds seriously until now.  But when I began adding up the numbers I was astounded (and a little ashamed for being so ignorant).  Of course I'm signing up.  I recently just reduced my cable service to the basic plan and I'll toss that saved amount back into my (our) future.

    by busternjake on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:26:01 PM PDT

    •  Hooray -- now start working on 3 friends...

      who might be like you. Didn't quite get it the first time, might the 3rd or 4th time.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 12:07:34 AM PDT

    •  The Republicans raise $10 million a month

      from corporate interests. If we can get half a million people giving $20 a month, we can match and shake up the political process by making a party totally beholden only to the people.

      For context, Kerry and the DNC had well over a million small donors last year -- and the average contribution was a lot more than $20. We need less than half of those people, at a lower amount, on Democracy Bonds.

      This is doable. And it is necessary.

      by Joe Rospars on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 08:16:00 AM PDT

•  What the Post doesn't tell you

  Is what you mentioned. Howard Dean has broekn the party's "odd year cycle". The Republicans are shaking down every corperation and lobbiest they can find.

  What the Post also doesn't tell you, is that the Washington press corp are looking down their noases because the DNC money is not coming so much from the fat cat one-time givers, but small, periodic donors who go to the parties, which makes the budget more sustainable. Did the Post mention that the DSCC are now swimmng in money?

  by RandyMI on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:33:41 PM PDT

  •  The author also neglected

    to mention that Bush&co have depleted our nations funds

    It is a good idea to buy democracy bonds, but I'd also like Dean to respond with a statement similiar to the above.  As in, "I'd rather discuss the American deficit and the remarkably weak financial situation Bush has put us in"

    by lam2b2g on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 07:03:37 AM PDT

•  Not until they prove they have a pair between ...

  the entire lot of them.

  I left a comment at Cillizza’s WaPo blog post pimping his front-page action stating that while his piece was a bad smear job on Dean (why didn’ Chris ask John Kerry why he held on to his campaign war chest after 2004 rather than give it back to the party), the real issue for the Dems at this juncture is not the relative lack of funds, but the relative lack of balls and principles.

  by Grok Your World on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:35:48 PM PDT

  •  pay up bub

    Reid has shown his. Now show yours.

    by Yoshimi on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:22:12 PM PDT

    •  Good for him. What was he waiting for?

      One, isolated display of intelligence does not constitute a militant, sustained movement. The Republicans have been doing this ever since they took out Jim Wright in 1989. I need more evidence from the Dems that they are willing to respond in kind.

      by Grok Your World on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:25:30 PM PDT

  •  Pay up, they are speaking out now.

    Be fair.  It disturbs to see someone wanting change and not willing to help pay for it or contribute as they can.

    by floridagal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:53:29 PM PDT

  •  Wheres da beef wheres da memo

    not even a characterization good agit/prop though

    by Robert Davies on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 04:59:28 AM PDT

  •  Grok Media Analysis

    get a copy of that alleged GOP memo

    by Robert Davies on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 05:03:55 AM PDT

    •  Didn't author that post ...

      I agree. I was not the author of that post. Anything from Capitol Hill Blue, while we may like what they say, is suspect.

      by Grok Your World on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 07:50:03 AM PDT

  •  Let's see

    The Democrats handed the GOP their lunch on SS, they've beaten them badly on Iraq intelligence, they've crushed them on the budget just last week, they won all over the country ... what are you waiting for? Them to be in the majority?

    btw, anyone can leave a comment to Mr. Cillizza over at his blog. Here's mine:

    The DNC is up $10 million (or about 33%) from this point last cycle. The RNC is flat. The DNC, at this point last cycle, had raised 31% of what the RNC had raised. They have raised 50% this cycle.

    By any really objective measure, the DNC is doing better vis-a-vis the RNC this cycle over last. I'm sure there are a lot of reasons for that (declining approval ratings for the GOP being a major one), but following your logic, I guess I'll just give all the credit to Chairman Dean.

    Congratulations, Howard Dean!

    I suggest your next article should be headlined: "Democratic fundraising up 33% under Chairman Dean." But it's just a suggestion ...

    by BriVT on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 06:32:01 AM PDT

•  Did anyone really think that the DNC

  would rake in more cash this year than the RNC?  

  That the DNC is behind the RNC in fundraising is NOT news.

  Zzzzz.

  My reaction to this type of article is the same reaction I have to every non-breaking news diary with the word "BREAKING" in the title.

  by Newsie8200 on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:46:28 PM PDT

•  Rapid Response has good points on this.

  * THOUGHTS *

  This headline and much of the article is quite
  misleading by what is omitted... talk about turd
  blossoms.

  - Democratic National Committee fundraising is
  actually up several million dollars versus last year
  but Republican National Committee fundraising is
  relatively flat

  - Said another way, DNC money raising is up by about a
  third, while RNC fundraising is only up by about 5%

  - Given the historical fundraising imbalance... it's
  rare that the DNC outraises the RNC, but
  percentage-wise (if not in actual dollar amounts) the
  DNC is doing just that under Chairman Howard Dean

  - A little context: The national GOP has operations in
  all 50 states to coordinate between the national party
  and the state parties. Historically, the Democrats
  have not had this infrastructure. Part of the reason
  Howard Dean was elected chair of the national party
  was to correct that imbalance. His focus over the past
  few months (he hasn't even been chair for a year yet)
  has been to focus on strategy, not to blindly raise
  money with no reason.

  - Some more context: Part of Chairman Dean's strategy
  is to direct more fundraising directly toward state
  parties to help them build their structures and farm
  systems... If the monies are going directly to state
  parties they're not going to the national party. Duh.

  OTHER THOUGHTS...

  Chairman Dean's philosophy is to have a party which
  raises money from many people not just the wealthy
  elite or the Establishment few. Given the number of
  anonymous sources in this story it is surprising it
  made it into publication (besides, I thought anonymous
  sources were out of favor among journalists given what
  happened in the lead-up to the Iraq Invasion).

  This story seems to be little more than a plant,
  either by conservatives who want to reassure their
  base that there's money in the bank or by
  Establishment progressive consultants who are now out
  of favor within the party structure (or both).

  * ACTION *

  You may want to ask why so many "anonymous" sources
  were used for this story and why any sort of context
  regarding past performance and/or the strategy of
  building the infrastructure was ignored....

  #1 - Washington Post reporters are available through
  800.627.1150 or 202.334.6000. I'm sure the operator
  can help you find Chris Cillizza.

  #2 - The current Post Ombudsman is Michael Getler. You
  can reach him by e-mail at [e-mail] or
  by phone at 202-334-7582.

  #3 - Letters to the Editor [e-mail] or by
  snail mail:
  Letters to the Editor
  The Washington Post
  1150 15th Street, N.W.
  Washington, DC 20071
  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  They forget to mention that the DNC fundraising is ahead of 2003 at this point in the two years by about 10 million.  

  by floridagal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:47:14 PM PDT

  •  Great points floridagal

    I hope this may help anyone who wants to follow through with what you have so nicely laid out for a response.  Deborah Howell, Ombudsman at the Post, has a column in today's edition on The Limits of E-Mails En Masse:

    
    The campaigns irritate many at The Post and lead some editors and reporters to skip some of their e-mail. That's a shame, because we need feedback.

    <snip>

    I pay attention to well-thought-out e-mails from local readers -- and from readers of washingtonpost.com. I will go to bat for a reader with a legitimate beef and I will let reporters and editors here know what they're saying. But I can see how e-mail campaigns dilute the influence of those who write. As for me, I must say that e-mail campaigns give me a pain in my right index finger -- the one that hits the delete button.

    Deborah Howell can be reached by phone at 202-334-7582 or by e-mail at [e-mail].

    (emphasis mine)
    

    by standingup on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:46:28 PM PDT

•  I bought one the week they were announced...

  and after the small victory last week I sent $60.01 to the DNC, the DSCC and the DCCC (had a good quarterly bonus). I think the good Doctor is doing a fine job!

  by blueyedace2 on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 06:50:08 PM PDT

•  .01

  relevence please?

  by dkmich on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 07:57:30 PM PDT

  •  Extra penny signifies the donation came from dKos

    by busternjake on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:02:23 PM PDT

  •  it's a marker

    Sometime during the 2004 election cycle, someone (maybe Kos) decided that people from DailyKos who make political contributions should make them for $xx.01.  The extra penny would indicate to the campaign or organization that the contribution came from a DailyKos member.  The idea is that if they see lots of contributions with an extra penny, they know that DailyKos is a powerful group.

    by Fran for Dean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:03:45 PM PDT

    •  aoeu

      I thought it started on the BFA page?  In any event it doesn't matter where it started because it got the Dean campaign's eye.  They thought there was a bug in the software when all these donations with a penny came in.

      by TealVeal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:14:35 PM PDT

    •  definitely predates 2004

      started during the extended primary season, I think.  I remember making contributions to the Dean campaign with the .01 marker, and contributions for which I forgot the .01 marker, and kicked myself...

      by Black Maned Pensator on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:52:22 PM PDT

  •  Got it!

    Count me in from now on.  I like the idea.

    by dkmich on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:15:09 PM PDT

•  I already make a monthly contribution, never

  did that before Dean.  I'll give more, that article pissed me off too, especially when Schumer is outraising Dole so much.

  by Molee on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:12:30 PM PDT

•  I'm a bond holder.

  I want my country back, dammit.

  Howard has cost me a whole pile of change in the last couple of years, I'm counting on a return on that investment!

  by mem from somerville on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:18:54 PM PDT

•  I plan on getting one..

  but it's going to have to wait until the new year...I've got some gifts to buy for the holidays, a computer to pay off before the 0% finance charge time pd. is up, and it looks like we're going to Denver after X-mas too...

  when I buy one, I'd like to make it bigger than just the 10 bucks I can afford at the moment...besides, I'm planning on giving a bit to YearlyKos and the Lillith Fund.

  by Elise on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:21:47 PM PDT

•  Funny

  I was having this exact conversation with one of my committeemen this evening at the Victory Party Bonfire we had at one of our new Town Councilman's house.

  The committeeman is a converted Republican. We were talking about Dean and he said that he had heard that he wasn't doing well at fund raising. I pointed out the fact that DNC fund raising was down compared to the RNC (the point my friend was making) but that he was up in comparison to how the DNC had done in the past. He didn't know that part. I also pointed out the work he is doing in rebuilding state parties and since this guy is an organizational shoe leather type he nodded knowing exactly how important that is. He also understood when I said how folks at the RNC and some entrenched Dems wanted to make Dean look bad since he threatened their power.

  In the meantime we enjoyed our victories locally and planned how to expand on them and build our town and county part from the ground up as Dean builds the parties from the top down.
  

  by Andrew C White on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:39:39 PM PDT

•  Done

  I signed up when Dean first put them out.  Having a steady base of funds is essential.

  Thanks for posting this.

  by Florida Jane on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 08:48:05 PM PDT

•  More Money!?

  Sheesh, I'm still paying off my credit card from all the thousands I gave Kerry in '04.  What the hell, it's only money!

  by Bluesman48 on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:15:16 PM PDT

•  Did it

  I have contributed on occasion, usually when I get a Howard Dean email, but have resisted the notion of a monthly automatic contribution. (I generally don't like to do things that way.)  But the arguments here are compelling for participating in the Democracy Bonds, and I'm really happy to do it.

  I'm in!

  I'm extremely disappointed in the Washington Post and others with the ongoing bashing of Howard Dean and creating the perception that he is somehow failing in his role as chairman.  I think he is doing a terrific job, especially in beefing up the individual states organizations which were woefully absent during the last presidential election.

  Just remember that WE HAVE THE POWER!

  by judy99 on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:25:30 PM PDT

•  democracy bond

  I didn't think I could afford to buy a democracy bond...until I looked at my three year old daughter.  What kind of opportunities will she have under these greedy and immoral republican idiots?  I believe in Howard Dean, and I've been a proud bondholder for two months now.  I encourage everyone to join at whatever level you can.    

  by GWbushh8ter on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:27:17 PM PDT

•  4 hours ago

  There was already a diary 4 hours ago..see Paulie's diary. Old news.

  by Paulie on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 09:44:41 PM PDT

  •  No harm done, dear

    with some duplication on this. this one hit the RD list and that should only help Dean/DNC's cause.
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:18:21 PM PDT

  •  Can't duplicate fund raising enough.....

    Glad to see someone out there supporting and working for Dean.

    by dkmich on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 07:34:09 AM PDT

•  I have had a Democracy bond

  for several months, but I am toying with the idea of cutting the Dems off from my money until I see them do something I care about.  Namely, stop living in the corporations' pants.  And yes, they do.  The Republicans are worse but the Democrats are bad.

  I didn't think this before but I do now:  If the Greens are a serious threat to the Dems - serious enough that they will make the Dems lose elections - then the Dems will HAVE TO take up some of the Greens' issues.  Of course, the Greens didn't "stay the course" (as Bush might say) in the last election either.  So who knows.  Something has to change.  I'm not happy with the Dems.

  I want to see MAJOR campaign finance reform.
  I would like the following industries to be mandated to be not-for-profit or publicly owned: News, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals
  I want strong federal environmental policy and regulations.
  I want education to no longer be tied to property taxes so kids in poor neighborhoods can have good schools too.

  by OrangeClouds115 on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 10:42:29 PM PDT

  •  you expect all of that

    when the Dems have been 5 years out of power?

    How much could they have done when they hardly held control of any of the three wings (WH/Sen/House) over the last 5 years (even that 1.5 yr sting in the senate was hanging onto a thin 1 vote majority).

    When they had some semblence of power (93-'00), they did at least run the economy well. Didn't they?

    Why not help them win in 2006 and 2008, and then demand the goods?

    Namely, stop living in the corporations' pants.

    By cutting off your support in which direction do you think you'll push them? Why not put some trust in Howard, give him time to win an election or two?

    And yes, they do.  The Republicans are worse but the Democrats are bad.

    There are tons of democrats that should make any liberal/progressive proud. Here is my very breif list:

    Dean, Jack Reed (RI), Feingold, Boxer, Obama, Durbin, Conyers, Rep. Tubb Jones, Rep. Rush Holt (NJ), Nea Gill (NJ St. Sen), Rocky Anderson (SLC mayor), just to name a few active ones.

    If one includes currently non-political ones, I'd put Gore at the head of the combined list.

    ----

    My personal opinions (don't reflect those of any politician/non-politician I may promote or support)

    I want to see MAJOR campaign finance reform.

    Ditto.

    I would like the following industries to be mandated to be not-for-profit or publicly owned: News, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals

    Disagree mostly. We shouldn't regulate, but find ways to make them work better. I'd support a publicly run heatlthcare sector that works adjacent to a private health sector, and likewise pharma.

    News: Govt. certainly should not run this. But, we need to find ways to launch non-profit alternatives (some efforts are underway), and find ways to bring some sort of ombudsmen into the forefornt.

    I want strong federal environmental policy and regulations.

    Need to strike the right balance. And encourage innovation that helps both the environment and spurs growth (Gore is working on such efforts).

    I want education to no longer be tied to property taxes so kids in poor neighborhoods can have good schools too.

    Agree.

    ----
    
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:43:52 PM PDT

    •  and if they were in power, would i have

      what I want?  Probably not.  It'd just be a little less bad.

      by OrangeClouds115 on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:53:02 AM PDT

  •  Give Dean a chance

    (To the tune of "Give Peace a Chance).

    He's the real deal, Orange115. The real deal.

    Have you seen him in person? I have, several times, he's so doggone sincere and honest, it's amazing.

    Who on earth else in the D's has ever put organizers on the ground, in regular states, 2 years before an election? The guy is smart, he works as a member of a team, he course-corrects when he hears new ideas.... and so forth.

    Give him a chance, OK? We can't turn this massive ship around in a month or a year.

    by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:51:25 PM PDT

    •  I've met him

      BUT... I've also been reading the book Spanking the Donkey.  I highly recommend it.  It includes an account of a reporter following Dean on the campaign trail.  So when I met him, that's the Dean I've met.

      by OrangeClouds115 on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:51:33 AM PDT

      •  With all due respect

        what did you just say?

        What does this mean: "So when I met him, that's the Dean I've met."

        by AllisonInSeattle on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:48:10 PM PDT

        •  i mean

          I didn't mean the real Dean.  I met the campaigning Dean.  The one that repeats the same fucking stump speech at every stop.  It's more like getting an automated message than a real person.

          by OrangeClouds115 on Mon Nov 14, 2005 at 07:10:06 AM PDT

  •  Stop taking money from corporations?

    If you want the Democrats to be owned by the people and not by the corporations, then the people need to fund the party.  That's exactly why you SHOULD buy a Democracy Bond.  If a million regular people like me and you buy a $20/mo Democracy Bond, the party will bring in $240 million a year and will never again be influenced by any corporation's money.

    by Fran for Dean on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:53:01 PM PDT

    •  What did Dean say?

      If everyone gave $100.00, the Dems would have how many millions????   I didn't buy a bond, but I intend to give Dean and other Dems my $100.00 and probably more.  

      by dkmich on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 07:36:41 AM PDT

•  **HOT IDEA** for the committed

  If you're committed to the idea of these Democracy Bonds -- won't you join me in asking the DNC to give us a version we can print out and share with people who're
   (gasp)
    not on computers??

  C'mon, people, the entire world is not on the Internet. I'll bet a lot of us know at least 3 people who might go for this if they could see the piece of paper.

  I told a couple I know about this -- and they now pitch in $20/month each because I talked to them. They just write the checks and send them -- they don't do computers.

  Let's send the DNC at least 100 askits to just give us the tool.

  Anyone with me here?
  

  by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:27:09 PM PDT

  •  GREAT IDEA!!

    I quickly went over to the DNC contact page, and pointed them to your comment, along with some other suggestions.

    I encourage all interested folks to do the same.
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 12:11:53 AM PDT

    •  Thanks for your compliments

      In a week or so, how about if you send the suggestion to them on your own?

      We need different people in different places asking them to do this.

      Thanks if you do.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:40:34 PM PDT

  •  You don't need a computer

    You don't need a computer to buy Democracy Bonds. Never did.

    While I can't find the pre-existing downloadable form on the DNC website, your suggestion to reach out to 3 people offline to get them to sign up is part of the host materials for their November 15th National Organizing Kickoff!

    So print out a copy of this .PDF form and you'll have three copies of a Democracy Bonds application form.

    So, we don't need to ask for it... they've already provided it!

    BTW, the other materials on the hosting page for their Nov. 15th house parties are pretty interesting in terms of shedding light on just exactly how the DNC is moving away from the top-down, corporate financed party to a grassroots-based small-donor model poised to develop organizations in all 50 states. Check them out here.

    Even better, use the materials to host a local event on the 15th...

    by Malacandra on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 06:40:40 AM PDT

    •  Note -- that Bond has 2 options only

      1. Bill my card on a monthly basis

      2. This is a one-time donation.

      Again... this comPLETEly fails to grasp that some people are NOT ONLINE. Excuse the shouting.

      There are people who are not online, care enough, can afford it, and are responsible enough to send in $$ every month for a Democracy Bond.

      We need a recognition of this, and a piece of paper for them to use.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 11:39:39 PM PDT

      •  Huh?

        I don't mind shouting... but please listen:

        You don't need to be online. Not at all.

        I fail to see how a monthly ongoing credit card payment has anything to do with being online. All you need is a credit card. You'll have charges applied to that card monthly, if you agree to the terms. It will show up on your credit card statement every month.

        Do you need to be online to own a credit card? No, you don't - of course not.

        Do you need to be online to have a monthly charge applied to your credit card on an ongoing basis?  No, you don't. The DNC will charge the amount you specified each month to the credit card account you provide them with.

        Do you need to be online to pay a monthly ongoing charge applied to your credit card?  No, you don't. People were making payments to credit card accounts long before there were online services. Most people still pay credit card invoices by mail.

        Do you need to be online to cancel an ongoing charge on your credit card when it becomes burdensome? No... a phone call to the DNC will take care of that.

        If there's something I'm missing here, please clarify your concerns for me... but I really don't see what "online" and "credit card" have to do with each other.

        by Malacandra on Mon Nov 14, 2005 at 08:58:47 PM PDT

        •  How do people find out about the program?

          What mechanism is there for them to find out about it

          if they're not online?

          by AllisonInSeattle on Mon Nov 14, 2005 at 11:01:45 PM PDT

          •  What do you suggest?

            In general, the way you reach people who aren't online is through local activism. In other words, people would learn of the program from you. And from me. From anyone willing to print out and hand out that PDF form I provided the link for.

            They are actively trying to get people to enlist three other people in the program through good old fashioned person-to-person contact.

            And then there are the hundreds of house parties that the DNC has assembled those materials for... the ones I referred you to... which will be taking place all over the country on November 15th. (That's today for everyone east of me...)

            And there are Democratic clubs. And Democratic central committee events. Candidate forums & events.

            If you look at those materials for the DNC Nov. 15th events, you'll see that they are trying to build up local party organizations at the precinct level. That's shoe-leather stuff.

            I know of at least one DFA group that is doing a Democracy Bonds drive and has created application forms to send in to the DNC to enroll people in the program.

            It's one thing to say that we need to reach out to people who aren't online. I'm in complete agreement with you there. It's another to suggest that the DNC hasn't provided the tools to allow people who aren't online to participate in the Democracy Bonds program... because they have.

            by Malacandra on Mon Nov 14, 2005 at 11:12:49 PM PDT

            •  They have since *when*?

              Certainly not when I started emailing and phoning them about this. Since last week?

              And you discounted my comments about the weaknesses of the form. Be my guest. I ran my own business and supported myself and a familyi in sales for 17 years, what would I know?

              For all I know, the reason that form exists is because I've been bugging them about it since Democracy bonds were created.

              by AllisonInSeattle on Tue Nov 15, 2005 at 01:43:32 AM PDT

              •  Allison

                I was just trying to address the substance of your complaint about the Democracy Bonds program. It was not my intent to put you down.

                 I didn't think I was making this personal... so I don't see what you should have taken it so personally. That was never my intent.

                The reason I didn't address your comments about the "weaknesses of the form" is because I don't really understand your problem with it. In fact, I requested clarification from you regarding your issues with it.

                Your essential point, from my perspective, was that people had to be online to participate. And that isn't the case.

                You ask "since when"?  I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that I had gotten a PDF form to print out from the DNC for circulating to members of my local Democratic club back on August 29th. If you've been bugging the DNC about it since its inception, I don't know why they didn't send you that file... or a few copies of printouts by mail.

                I know that, having given to the DNC in the past, when the Democracy Bonds program was first announced I received a solicitation by mail to enroll... and if I had been thinking about it at the time, I could have made copies of those form to distribute as well.

                You characterized the form as being inadequate because it only has options for a single payment by check... or multiple payments by credit card.

                In my mind, that's makes perfect sense. If you pay by card, the DNC can automatically rebill your credit card for monthly payments... which makes it easy for both the DNC... and the donor.

                To do the same thing by card requires multiple transactions: you have to send a check on a monthly basis.  However, if you are motivated to give a monthly amount to the DNC, one can certainly make copies of the form and make monthly donations by check.

                If you're saying that the DNC should do it differently... and allow people to enroll by check and invoice them on a monthly basis to remind them of their commitment, that's fair. I suppose the DNC could solicit bank information to allow them to make automatic withdrawals from peoples checking accounts. That's pretty intrusive, but I suppose they could do that.

                But that still has nothing to do with being whether people are online or not, which I thought was your point: that not everybody is online.

                by Malacandra on Tue Nov 15, 2005 at 06:47:46 AM PDT

                •  Clarification

                  In the ninth paragraph, I say:

                  To do the same thing by card requires multiple transactions:

                  That's a mistake. I meant to write:

                  To do the same thing by check requires multiple transactions:

                  by Malacandra on Tue Nov 15, 2005 at 06:49:57 AM PDT

•  thanks 4 posting this-wp column really ridiculous

  by concerned on Sat Nov 12, 2005 at 11:27:54 PM PDT

•  I got mine!

  20 bucks a month!

  by aitoaster on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 12:36:36 AM PDT

•  You're right! Let's encourage Dems to keep on

  kicking ass against the corrupt, evil regime that has taken America from prosperity and global esteem to record indebtedness and global revulsion.

  I too had been thinking about Democracy Bonds, and been to the site a couple times, but always held back.  Now is the time to commit and make concrete my support for intensive efforts to retake both House and Senate next year.

  Strongly recommend both the diary and the Democracy Bonds.

  by LondonYank on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 01:25:32 AM PDT

•  Kick 'Em Out!

  

  by Blue387 on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 01:49:37 AM PDT

  •  That's a depressing graphjic...

    The donkey keeps kicking but the elephant is still there!

    by plymouth on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 07:37:40 AM PDT

•  Wanted to see if the signature line worked

  I pulled the Democracy Bonds link from Nuevo's post - am just posting this to see if I got the syntax right.  Am buying a Democracy Bond for $20/mo.

  by Conshieguy on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 03:00:36 AM PDT

•  How many times

  Are they going to try that story? Maybe I need to make it clear for our MSM:

  Given the choice of Howard Dean with $0 raised, or TMac with $10 billion raised: I CHOOSE DEAN!

  But the good thing is, since Dean is actually doing a better job fundraising than Terry MacCaullife (and you are a pack of liars), I don't have to make that choice...

  by Burton Halli on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 04:55:45 AM PDT

•  I was completely stunned by the article

  Because I spend about two hours a day on dKos! In fact, I logged on this a.m. just to see what y'all had to say about it. I'm with you, fuck 'im!

  One thing I'm wondering about, though, is the effect of decentralized fundraising. This blog gets me fired up in about 25 different directions every day, and although I have my somewhat modest Democracy bonds (I'll double the amount today, have no fear; I don't need new shoes this winter!), I also know that in the past year only, for example, when Barbara Boxer is particularly impressive I donate to the PAC for Change; when Harry Reid throws the Senate into secret session, I donate to his Searchlight Foundation; when Chris Carney or Christine Cegelis or Nick Lampson or Paul Hackett or any of our blogging candidates writes a compelling diary that stirs me and gives me hope, I throw a little bit their way; when EMILY's List writes, I kick in a bit to Lois Murphy or Kathleen Sebelius. They're all contributions in the ordinary amounts I can afford, but I do wonder if a lot of the grassroots and netroots are giving in the way I give, if that makes it seem as if the Party as a whole is not raising as much.

  by jamfan on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 05:49:07 AM PDT

•  I'm starting a new job this week.

  When I get my first check, I'm buying my bond. Depending on how much is left in my check, it will be in the $10-20/mo. range. I have other causes I want to support, too.

  by Auntie Mame on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 05:50:20 AM PDT

•  Done!

  Hey Fran,
  greetings from Dublin!
  Arachide

  by arachide on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 05:55:25 AM PDT

•  good point about funds going many places

  Ever since Dean came along, I started giving money all over the place.  It gives me pleasure to send money, even if it's not a lot, to deserving candidates I hear about.  As for the DNC, I wouldn't have given them a dime under Terry McC.

  But with all the money talk, let's not forget the human muscle we represent.  And keep it coming!  Recently I've felt some ebbing of energy among local activists - for example, I thought it would be easier to get fellow Marylanders over to Virginia to help out; there were some volunteers but not a huge number.  And it's been a bit of a struggle to get people to attend some excellent programs. With the 2006 campaign season coming up this should change.  Maybe people just needed a break.

  I assume that the anonymous sources for this crappy story were people who Dean isn't listening to and who aren't used to being ignored.  

  by norabb on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 06:03:17 AM PDT

•  Go to Cillizza's blog

  Gosh that was fun - as recommended above, I went to Cillizza's blog and gave him an earful.  Did you get the feeling he doesn't know as much as we do about all this stuff?
  http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/...

  by norabb on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 06:23:14 AM PDT

•  I Bought Myself a Democracy Bond for My Birthday

  Best present I ever gave myself and the gift that will keep on giving.  

  Thank you sooo much for posting this.  Dr. Dean is working his tail off and we need to show him the love (not to mention our country, eh!)

  by LarisaW on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 07:15:40 AM PDT

  •  me too!

    Yesterday was my birthday, so that gave me even more of a reason to give myself a birthday present :)

    by Fran for Dean on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 09:42:15 AM PDT

•  I'm in, but concerned

  I signed up when the bonds were first announced and have been having $30 deducted from my checking account since then.

  Generally speaking, I think this is a very good idea.  If we want a strong party, we need to provide a continuous source of funding.

  But, I live in Ohio and I see absolutely no evidence that the DNC is doing anything about the atrocious performance of the Democratic Party in this state. Their lack of support of the recent RON amendments (the head of the Party in Cuyahoga Co. actually worked AGAINST them) was appalling.  I have come to believe that the Democratic Party here is just as inbred as the other guys and totally out of touch with those of us who call ourselves Democrats.

  So, I'm not sure my Democratic Bond will do a lot of good in my state until someone (HOWARD??) comes in and cleans house in the state and county organizations.  The grassroots can only do so much and it's really discouraging when the official party organization ignores us.

  by Getreal1246 on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 09:31:30 AM PDT

  •  You

    may want to write to the DNC here. I am sure they will respond.
    

    by NeuvoLiberal on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 09:53:58 AM PDT

•  Excellent diary

  Here's the actions I took:

  • Signed up for a bond at $10.01 per month
    
  • Added the button to my blog
    
  • E-mailed a bunch of my friends and family
    
  • Recommended this diary

  by xxo23o on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 10:06:18 AM PDT

  •  awesome!

    Thanks :)

    by Fran for Dean on Sun Nov 13, 2005 at 10:09:50 AM PDT