If you support Clark or Gephardt, more power to you. I think they're both great candidates. I really do. But there's something critical to consider that's gone under the radar for too long.
First let me say this. I've been a Dean fan for a very long time. However, those on this site who know me know I've stood up for all of the other major candidates. I've never said a bad word about Clark or Gephardt, and would not be disappointed with either of them winning the nomination.
If it weren't for one thing:
Federally matching funds.
You may know the basics of the argument, but please read on, because I think this is critical...
People don't seem to focus enough on this issue of enormous importance. I sincerely think Federally Matching Funds is the #1 issue in the race against Bush next year. Not foreign policy credentials. Not even union GOTV efforts.
Our candidate will almost certainly emerge from the Dem Convention in July severely wounded, and may never recover, if they don't have real money to spend from April to late July.
Understand that Clark and Gephardt will not be allowed to spend more than $45M between now and the end of the Dem Convention, because they have accepted FMF's. Dean can spend limitlessly, and he's already raised $40M. It's assumed that as the primary race heats up nationwide, particularly if someone emerges as a major challenger to Dean, donations will pour in and money will burn as fast as it comes. The Dem will likely have spent close to their limit by April 1st, and be able to spend no more, while Bush takes advantage of a 4-month window where he can attack and define his opponent freely. I firmly believe that any Dem who rejects FMF's - which unfortunately is only Dean and Kerry - will be able to cash in on tens of millions of donations from an angry Dem base after winning the nomination. I DO NOT believe 527 pacs, with all of their money, can substitute for a well-funded coordinated campaign. For one thing, they're severly limited legally in terms of coordinating with a candidate, or overtly supporting one.
Dean has already gotten 1/5th of his $200M goal, which is surprisingly realistic. He's gotten an average of almost $100 from over 400,000 Dems... he says he can get 2 million donors if he wins the nomination, and I think he's right. Many Dems I know, even those who oppose Dean, say they'll donate $100 to Dean if he wins the nomination. That means Dean could really fight back against the Bush assault.
Please do not underestimate the amount of damage Bush could do to any one of our candidates between April and August if we can't fight back! We'll be clenching our teeth in frustration every day on this blog for four straight months.
Finally, let me just say I've been consistent on this. Back in May, I posted on Dean's blog this exact same argument, and said Dean might lose my support if he accepts FMF's. I'm honestly speaking here as a Democrat, not as a Dean supporter.
Thanks for listening.