Someone should post comparative contribution numbers from similar periods in presidential '00 and '04.

If memory serves, we were getting absolutely KILLED during those years:  Under McAuliffe, I think I remember a complete disadvantage all the time:  Warchest and fundraising numbers were usually like a quarter of the GOP.

Chairman Dean has done a totally unexpected and incredible, awesome job of coordinating, inspiring, and getting both the deep-pocket and the $20 Democrats to pull together.

Granted, Dem advantage in grass roots communications, use of Internet resources, and the fantastic job the GOP has done of mucking up this country have all been in his favor.

But those are TACTICAL issues.  

Strategically, in terms of vision, leadership, team-building, and total impact, I can't believe how good the choice of Howard Dean has turned out for this party.

I almost have to believe the GOP would have been hurt less by Dean as President in '04, who they would have demonized and neutered, than Dean as DNC Chair the past couple years, who has beaten them at every turn, in avery arena, and hurt them maybe mortally where they live: In the money pits.

The GOP has been pwned by Dean to such a degree that its very future existence and survival are now legitimately in question:  If it continues its current tactics of obstruction of the will of the American people in domestic policy, its anti-Hispanic anti-immigrant rhetoric, its scorched-earth treatment of African-Americans and Muslims and Liberals and Women, its dedication to corporatism and corruption and warmongering, I just don't see how it gets people to keep contributing, and therefore how it remains a major party.

Shh... A word of advice to us:  "Never get in the way of a man falling down the stairs."