[Mb-civic] Democrats Losing Race For Funds Under Dean - Washington Post

[William Swiggard]

Democrats Losing Race For Funds Under Dean

By Chris Cillizza
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, November 12, 2005; Page A01

The Democratic National Committee under Howard Dean is losing the 
fundraising race against Republicans by nearly 2 to 1, a slow start that 
is stirring concern among strategists who worry that a cash shortage 
could hinder the party's competitiveness in next year's midterm elections.

The former Vermont governor and presidential candidate took the 
chairmanship of the national party eight months ago, riding the 
enthusiasm of grass-roots activists who relished his firebrand 
rhetorical style. But he faced widespread misgivings from establishment 
Democrats, including elected officials and Washington operatives, who 
questioned whether Dean was the right fit in a job that traditionally 
has centered on fundraising and the courting of major donors.
Now, the latest financial numbers are prompting new doubts. From January 
through September, the Republican National Committee raised $81.5 
million, with $34 million remaining in the bank. The Democratic National 
Committee, by contrast, showed $42 million raised and $6.8 million in 
the bank.

"The degree to which the fundraising has not been competitive is 
obviously troublesome," said former congressman Vic Fazio (D-Calif.), 
who is now a lobbyist here. He expressed confidence in Tom McMahon, 
Dean's executive director at the DNC.

One House Democratic leadership aide, who spoke on the condition of 
anonymity to preserve relations with Dean's operation, put it more 
bluntly: "There is plenty of time, but the red flashing sirens should be 
going off there."

As Democrats are riding high in the wake of Tuesday's elections, running 
unexpectedly strong even in traditional Republican states such as 
Virginia, the DNC's fundraising problems represent a potential cloud. 
But those results could also boost the spirits of partisans in ways that 
will make it easier for Dean to even the balance.

As critics see it, Dean has disappointed on two fronts. The DNC has not 
replicated the success of Dean's presidential campaign two years ago in 
tapping vast numbers of new and smaller contributors over the Internet. 
And skeptics say he has not yet established rapport with and won the 
confidence of high-dollar donors.

DNC officials acknowledge that elements of their fundraising operation 
have started more slowly than expected. But they and other Dean 
defenders say his record should be viewed in context.

In the previous election cycle, the DNC had raised $31 million, compared 
with the RNC's $80 million, at this point in 2003. But the cash-on-hand 
disparity -- the main concern of party strategists -- was less daunting 
then, with the RNC sitting on $27 million to nearly $10 million for the DNC.

The explanation most offered by Dean allies for the sluggish start is 
that donors are tired of giving after watching Sen. John F. Kerry 
(Mass.) fail to deliver the White House. Kerry's fundraising success 
last year raised expectations among Democrats that the days of competing 
at a financial disadvantage with the GOP were over. For now, they are not.

"We will have the resources to do what we need to do," said Karen 
Finney, a DNC spokeswoman. "We are committed to investing in state 
parties and rebuilding the grass roots from the bottom up."

Finney noted that the DNC has staff in 38 states and will have 
organizers in every state by the year's end. She also noted that it 
donated $5 million to the winning gubernatorial campaign of Virginia Lt. 
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

(continued)...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101833.html?nav=hcmodule
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