Jim Moore’s blog: Innovation, Strategy, Public Policy

In an earlier post I pointed out that if Howard Dean could use cyber campaigning to raise significant money from smaller donors, it would change the dynamic of the Democratic presidential race because it would neutralize the presumed fundraising advantage of other candidates.

Well, all things in the web happen faster than we expect.  I just got the following update and appeal from the campaign.  The Dean campaign has raised $2.8 million in the last eight days–and by the way, all this will be transparent and verified because it will be reported to the Federal Election Commission tomorrow.

Here is the direct info, fyi.  I pass this on not to campaign for Dean, but to give you a direct sense of the cyber campaign. I really believe that history is being made in this campaign, as the web takes hold.  E.g. more people voted in the Moveon primary than are expected in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries combined.

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: I want you to be the first to know
From: Howard Dean  jmoore@cyber.law.harvard.edu


Howard Dean for America


Dear Friend,

We have passed an incredible milestone in our campaign.

Our fundraising total for the second quarter has surged from 3.2 million
dollars to 6 million dollars in just eight days.

How did this happen? Over 21,000 people believed that their individual
contributions, when added to the individual contributions of thousands
of others, could make a difference in our campaign. And their
contributions have made a massive difference.

From Meet the Press, through my announcement speech, to our MoveOn
victory–and now with over $2.8 million raised through thousands of
donations–the last eight days have been amazing.

Now, with 40 hours left in the second quarter, I need you to help us
reach a goal that nobody would have thought possible for our campaign
even a week ago–raising $6.5 million by the end of the quarter
tomorrow. I need you to believe, as 21,000 others have, that your
contribution, when added to the contributions of thousands of others who
are responding to this email, can have a tremendous effect on the future
of our country. You have to believe, as thousands of others have, that
anything is achievable when we all act together. I need you to act now.
Join us in helping our campaign reach $6.5 million by midnight tomorrow
by making a contribution today:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute
http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute>

If we raise $6.5 million in the second quarter, we will have placed our
candidacy irrefutably in the top tier, and we will transform the dynamic
of this race.

Can we raise $500,000 in 40 hours? I know we can, because this past
Friday we raised half a million dollars in online contributions alone.
We achieved this on Friday because over 7,700 people believed that we
are strongest when we act in common purpose. I need you to act in common purpose with thousands of others today. No matter how much you can afford to give, thousands of others will be giving with you in the next 36 hours:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute
http://www.deanforamerica.com/contribute>

We have shown the power of our numbers, and what we can achieve when
each of us takes an individual action that is matched by the actions of
thousands of others. Over 21,000 people have given whatever they could
afford–over the telephone, through the mail, on the Internet, and in
fundraising events and house parties across the country.

We have already raced past all expectations. We now have the opportunity to truly shock the press and the pundits with our show of grassroots strength. We have 36 hours to raise an additional half million  dollars. Please give what you can, and forward this email to your entire email circle. I need you to act today.

Howard Dean


Paid for and maintained by DEAN FOR AMERICA
Contributions to Dean For America are not tax-deductible for federal
income tax purposes