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A Call From Howard Dean

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Tue Jun 28, 2005 at 04:15:27 PM EST
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My phone just rang. Howard Dean was on the line. I got a heads-up from Laura at the DNC about an hour ago. It was a great conversation. He explained the Dems new fundraising venture, Democracy Bonds, which launched this morning.

Governor Howard Dean launched the "Democracy Bonds" program (and bought the first one himself to signify his commitment) because he believes that we can take our country back -- precinct by precinct, block by block, with every Democrat taking responsibility for getting their family, friends and neighbors involved.

He wasn't calling to ask for a personal donation. He was calling to say he's excited about the new programs and website. We talked about Democratic values, and how we have to get the message out that we, not the Republicans, are the party of values. I completely agree with the Governor that we need to become known again for what we stand for.

Democrats believe in clean and honest government. We believe in a balanced budget and a strong economy, where after a life spent working hard, you earn a secure retirement. We believe in a strong national defense, and honoring our commitments to our veterans. We believe that health care should be affordable, and we believe in an education system that works for everybody. The Democratic Party is about everyone having a seat at the table.

Buy your bond here.

Our 'Democracy Bond' is a commitment to make a monthly donation to the Democratic Party in order to:

  • Reform the political process by building a political party beholden only to the people, not the special interests
  • Build the Democratic Party from the ground up in every precinct so that we can compete everywhere
  • Win elections in every state and territory of the United States, at every level of office

If you don't have a credit card, use a debit card. I suggested to the Governor that they look for a way to take paypal. I think a lot of Democratic bloggers would be happy to devote a portion of their paypal tips to buying a bond. I also thanked him for the ad for the bonds the DNC took out on TalkLeft.

I have to say, it was pretty exciting to get a live phone call from Howard Dean. I've met him before, at the blogger breakfast at the DNC in Boston last July, but this was much more special.

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    A Call From Howard Dean | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Jeralyn, very cool and surprising. Good to hear someone I respect has SOME kind of in with the powers that be in the party. Maybe they can win me back into the fold of "party" politics. I confess I have strayed, tho I've always voted democrat in the interim.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#2)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Obviously Dean doesn't represent the Dem party, but I'm all for what he said. Someone PLEASE tell the DLC. Oh, and Jerralyn, what a cool phone call!

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#3)
    by N in Seattle on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Howard doesn't represent the party??? How do you figure? After all, he chairs it! If you meant that he doesn't represent the DLC, I'd almost buy it. I think he would like to represent them, but that they don't want to be so represented. Which is their misfortune and their mistake.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#4)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    TL: Let us know if you are going to use a portion of your tips to buy these bonds. I like your site and do not mind supporting it, but I do not want any of my tip money gong to this use.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    I voted for Howard Dean in the Florida primary after Kerry had won it. I contributed to Howard Dean before the primaries ever began. Dean was demonized by the media - not just Fox - pretty much ALL of the Corporate media outlets performed character assasination until the primaries were over. His message was first demonized and then marginalized by both Conservatives and many Democrats. By politically assasinating Howard Dean, the Neoconservatives, mainstream Conservatives, the Corporatist Media, and many Democrats marginalized the most visible "Anti-War Democrat" in the party - thereby manufacturing the false reality that mainstream America would not accept an Anti-War candidate/message. Of course, we all forget that our election is at best, nothing more than a referendum of the beliefs of the votership minority of U.S. citizenry. Nobody here can speak to the values of the totality of our citzenry -- it has never been accurately measured. Howard Dean's rhetoric is aimed at drawing Progressive dollars to support a DLC agenda. Sorry Howard, I'm not buying the package deal.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:39 PM EST
    Don't worry Wile, the DNC site doesn't take paypal. Also, if I decide to do it I wouldn't use your money or that of any conservative commenter. [remainder deleted, see comment of Jesse below. I can't forward on paypal contributions at all.]

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Jeralyn: Glad you enjoyed the call with the Gov. Just wanted to mention one thing:
    What I would probably do is tell those making paypal donations to use a sum that end in a certain number of cents (eg $.28) if they want me to use a portion for the DNC and I'd contribute a portion of those contributions only.
    I'm pretty sure this is illegal. You cannot give money to someone else specifically to donate to the DNC. We really appreciate your desire to help us raise money -- and thanks for the shout out to Democracy Bonds -- but if your readers want to give, they have to do it directly themselves.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#8)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    TL: Thanks for the reply.

    Re: A Call From Howard Dean (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:41 PM EST
    Hey, I could care less what you use your money for, and when I hit the tip jar (though I haven't seen it lately) it's more of a thank you than a substantive thing. But, people, money is the only totally fungible thing on earth. If someone gives you $10 for the blog, that just frees up $10 for something else. That's why aid agencies try so hard to give "in-kind" rather than "in-cash" - especially in areas (say, Africa) with such rampant corruption. It's not that sending grain to Mugabe's poor serfs doesn't free up cash for him to buy guns (from Europe and China) to kill people, it's that it frees up slightly less money to kill slightly fewer people. -C

    A Call From Howard Dean | 9 comments (9 topical)