Not what you think, but read on.
I think that if Dean ISN'T the nom, then he can do wonders for JFK or JE (if they are).
Why? The Deaniacs?
No. But they may help.
He can say, "John, you and this party have a special interest donor addiction. In moderation, special interest donations are okay, but you're hurting yourself and others with your abuse. We can wean you and the DNC off of the influence of special interest donations. I'm going to go to the Deaniacs, and Clark will go to the Clarkies, and we're going to tell them that you will do what you promise, come hell or high water. You're going to work as hard as heck to deliver on those promises to the people. And then, we'll tell them that the power is still in THEIR hands. If they can raise money for you, then you won't get more than 50% of your money from 2000 dollar donors and you won't get more than 30% of your money from corporations, unions, or lobbies (leave that to the 527s, man). And you will. Because if you don't, then it's tough love time. Al Gore, Wesley and I will spend the next four years taking the grassroots message on every talk show from here to Topeka. We won't attack you. But we will emphasize our ideas and where we think things should go in 2008. And then one or more of us will run against you."
If that happens, and JE or JFK accepts, I will happily volunteer and donate to them.
That's how the vending machine works.