This is the most important news story I've seen all election season.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A21188-2004Jan15?language=printer
The Democrats are planning on having a $300 million dollar war chest for the fall campaign through the 527 committees. (The Soros money is a high profile example of this money.)
Now the Republicans are trying to change the 527 rules to prevent the Dems from being able to use this war chest to level the playing field. Normally, this wouldn't go anywhere since the FEC has 3 Dems and 3 Repubs, so a partisan challenge would be stopped by the deadlock. But there is concern that one of the Demcratic FEC commissioners is going to roll over.
"Democrats are privately worried that one of the three Democratic appointees to the FEC, Scott E. Thomas, could vote that the "independent" Democratic groups are illegal."
The 527's are crucial whether the nominee is Howard Dean or anyone else. Dean's small donor base is great, but it won't be enough. The 527 money is absolutely necessary to level the money field against Republican corporate money.
Speak up. Be involved on this issue.