How many people out there consider themselves DLC'rs? I'm willing to bet that it's a lot less than the 500,000+. Dean's fundraising appeal for Iowa representative Leonard Boswell provides a glimpse of what we will see once we get to the general election.
- Assume that Dean is the nominee.
- Assume Dean keeps at least the same level of momentum with his base.
- Assume that Dean contines his ability to generate fundraising through his, now tried and trued, apparatus.
Q: Where do these excited contributors go to continue to participate with their funding dollars?
A: Wherever Dean tells them to.
One thing Dean has clearly learned from Jimmy Carter's campaign is that you might be able to run as an outsider of the party establishment and win, but you can't do it and successfully govern. He has two choices, kiss and makeup to the existing establishment or conquer and control the existing establishment.
Dean has the most powerful tool to change the rules of the game in the Democratic party. Dean has money.