Howard Dean presidential campaign, 2004

The Governor of Vermont, Howard Dean, formed an exploratory committee to evaluate a presidential election campaign on May 31 2002. Dean then formally announced his intention to compete in the 2004 Democratic primaries to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for President on June 23 2003 [ Cite web| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E2D8153BF937A15755C0A9659C8B63&n=Top%2fNews%2fWashington%2fCampaign%202004%2fCandidates%2fHoward%20Dean| title = After a Year Campaigning, Dean Officially Enters Race ] Dean dropped out of the race in February 2004 after poor contest showings in Wisconsin.

Infobox U.S. federal election campaign, 2008
committee = Howard Dean for President 2004

campaign = U.S. presidential election, 2004
candidate = Howard Dean
Governor of Vermont 1999–2005
cand_id = C00431205
fec_date = 2008-01-31
status = Announced June 23, 2003
Withdrew Feb. 18, 2004
affiliation = Democratic Party
slogan = Dean for America

Announcement

Dean officially announced his candidacy on June 23 2003 at a rally in his home state of Vermont, overlooking a church. During his announcement speech, Dean stressed the importance of Universal Health Care, and Fiscal Responsibility.

Positions

Health care

Dean, a a former medical doctor, called for a comprehensive call for Universal Health Care for the United States. He proposed an annual $88 billion on health care programs in the United States as well as wanting tax credits to help workers of moderate income buy "affordable" coverage similar to that offered to federal employees, with extra insurance subsidies for companies employing less than 50 people. Dean also proposed spending nearly $1 trillion over 10 years on health insurance. Dean also stressed the need for the expansion of state health care programs for children throughout his campaign. [ cite web| url = http://topics.nytimes.com/ref/politics/campaigns/issue_healthcare.html#Dean| title = Howard Dean on the Issues: Healthcare ]

Education

Dean opposed the use of taxpayer-financed vouchers for tuition at parochial or other private schools,and promised to rework federal annual testing in grades 3 through 8 while allowing for more state and local control. Dean also guaranteed that people would not have to pay more than 10 percent of their income toward loans after post-secondary graduation as Dean would provide $10,000 a year in federal aid for university or high-skills learning. [ cite web| url = http://topics.nytimes.com/ref/politics/campaigns/issue_education.html#Dean| title = Howard Dean on the Issues: Education ]

Economy and taxes

Dean proposed a radically different tax plan than President Bush's which would repeal all of the Bush tax cuts, and replace them with tax cuts on the middle class. Throughout the campaign, Dean stressed the need for lowering taxes on the middle class while raising them on the higher class citizens. He also promised to renegotiate components of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other free trade agreements with foreign powers. Dean also promised to "put the U.S. on a path to a balanced budget", but never specifically stated any deficit reduction proposals. [ cite web| url = http://topics.nytimes.com/ref/politics/campaigns/issue_economy.html#Dean| title = Howard Dean on the Issues: Economy, Taxes, and Trade ]

Foreign policy

Dean proposed to transfer sovereignty to "credible and legitimate" Iraqi leaders and "encourage the United Nations to take responsibility for this political transition." Dean also expressed stong support for the War in Afghanistan, saying "One priority should be strengthening our bonds with other countries, especially our historical allies in a world growing ever more interdependent."

Dean would also open talks with North Korea, triple American financing to $30 billion over 10 years to combat unconventional weapons around the world and approve the use of force to halt genocide. [ cite web| url = http://topics.nytimes.com/ref/politics/campaigns/issue_foreign_policy.html#Dean| title = Howard Dean on the Issues: Foreign Policy ]

Polling

Iowa

All Poll averages retrieved from USA Election Polls [ cite web| url = http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2004/iowa.html| title = Iowa Polls 2004 Primary Election ]

Wisconsin

All Poll averages retrieved from USA Election Polls [ cite web| url = http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/2004/arizona.html| title = Arizona Polls 2004 Primary Election ]

Results

Dean finished third or lower in most nominating contest throughout the primary season. The exceptions were New Hampshire, Michigan, Washington, Maine and Vermont.

Iowa and New Hampshire

Polling throughout the primary campaign consistently showed Dean either in first place, or second behind Dick Gephardt. However, last minute surges by rivals John Kerry and John Edwards as well as negative campaigning between the Dean and Gephardt campaigns resulted in an 11th hour slump for both campaigns. In a poll released by the Des Moines Register just before Caucus Day, Dean registered in third place with 20%, behind Kerry with 26%, and Edwards with 23%, but ahead of Dick Gephardt with 18%. [ cite web| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-01-18-iowa-poll_x.htm| title = Poll shows late surge by Kerry and Edwards; Dean now in third USA TODAY ] Throughout Caucus night, Dean was in a fight with Gephardt for third place in Iowa behind Kerry and Edwards. With 100% of precincts reporting, Kerry received 38%, Edwards received 32%, and Dean came in third with 18% while Gephardt finished in fourth with just 11% of caucus support.

After both Kerry and Edwards defeated Howard Dean in the Iowa Caucuses, the Dean campaign retreated to New Hampshire, where polls consistently showed them in the lead, and where Howard Dean hoped for a come-back by defeating Senator Kerry who came from neighboring Massachusetts.

Polling after the Iowa Caucuses consistently showed Governor Dean behind Senator Kerry by a wide margin in the run up to the New Hampshire Primary. A Poll released from Franklin Pierce College, showed Kerry leading by as much as 30%-16%. However, after a substantial effort by Dean's part on the campaign trail showed Kerry leading 36%-27% in the final poll conducted by Marist College.

However, despite signs showing a Dean surge, Howard Dean lost to John Kerry in the New Hampshire primary 38%-26% which set the tune for future defeats at the hands of Kerry and others.

Wisconsin

After grueling losses to John Kerry in New Hampshire, Michigan, Washington as well as other states, Howard Dean staked his entire campaign on favorable showings in the Wisconsin primary scheduled to take place on February 17 2004 [ cite web| url = http://us.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/primaries/pages/states/WI/| title = CNN.com 2004 Primaries Wisconsin ]

Following results in 7 Nominating Contests on February 3 2004, Governor Dean re-organized his strategy be focusing on the Wisconsin primary as a way to upset front runner John Kerry. Dean canceled events throughout Michigan to be able to focus on Wisconsin as well as increasing staff members within Wisconsin. Dean also made a pledge (which he would later retract) that Wisconsin as a "must win" state for him in a fund raising e-mail to supporters. [ cite web| url = http://us.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/primaries/pages/misc/wisconsin.recap.html| title = CNN.com 2004 Primaries Recap Wisconsin ] Despite being far behind Kerry in delegates and in popular vote, Dean stressed that Wisconsin could "turn around" the fate of his campaign. Dean also implied that it would give him momentum to win in Super Tuesday nominating contests. [ cite web| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/10/elec04.prez.dean.wisconsin/index.html| title = Dean: Wisconsin can "turn around" Campaign ]

As results were beginning to pour in, major news agencies were quick in projecting Governor Dean as coming in third in Wisconsin based on Exit Polling data alone [ cite web| url =http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0402/17/se.04.html| title = CNN.com Transcripts ] Final results from Wisconsin showed John Kerry winning with 40% of the vote followed by John Edwards with 34% and Howard Dean coming in third with 18%. As a result of poor contests Dean exited the race the next morning.

Vermont

The 2004 Vermont Democratic Primary was held on March 2 2004 the same day as 9 other states including California, New York, and Georgia, a day dubbed "Super Tuesday" for its massive amount of primaries and caucuses held on a particular Tuesday. Despite the fact that Governor Dean had ended his presidential bid on February 18, Dean's home state of Vermont was scheduled to vote.

Polls closed in Vermont at 7:00 EST along with polls in the state of Georgia. Based on exit polls, CNN projected Howard Dean the winner there. [ cite web| url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/02/elec04.prez.issues/index.html| title = CNN.com - Exit polls: Kerry seen as able to beat Bush ]

Much of the reason for Dean's success in his home state of Vermont without campaigning was largely due to the fact that John Edwards was not on the ballot in the state. In January, when Howard Dean was still considered the front-runner, Edwards and several other candidates — Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, Al Sharpton and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut — decided not to file to get on the primary ballot in Dean's home state. [ cite web| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/primariescaucus/2004-02-19-edwards-vermont_x.htm| title = USATODAY.com Edwards not on Vermont Ballot ] The final results for the Vermont primary were Dean with 58%, Kerry with 34% and Kucinich with 4% [ cite web| url = http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/primaries/pages/states/VT/index.html| title = CNN.com 2004 Primaries - Vermont Results ]

Withdrawal

Dean withdrew from the Democratic race on February 18 2004 following poor showings in the Wisconsin primary. Dean dropped out of the race at a rally in Burlington, Vermont saying "I am no longer actively pursuing the presidency". Dean continued to advise his supporters to fight on saying "Sending delegates to the convention only continues to energize our party. Fight on in the caucuses; we are on the ballots. Use your network to send progressive delegates to the convention in Boston.... We are not going away, we are staying together, unified, all of us" [ cite web| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/18/elec04.prez.dean/index.html| title = CNN.com Wisconsin marks end of the line for Howard Dean ]

After withdrawing from the campaign, Dean founded the group Democracy for America in March of 2004 a month after his withdrawal from the presidential race. The group was dedicated to ensuring a Democratic victory in the 2004 Election.

Endorsement

Dean endorsed presumptive nominee Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts on March 25 2004 at a rally in George Washington University. [ cite web| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4580606/| title = Kerry gets Dean's Endorsement MSNBC ] Dean, who was the favored candidates among young voters was enthusiastically received by the crowd of college students. [ cite web| url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/4603345#4603345| title = Video: Kerry gets Dean's endorsement ]

There had been some speculation that Howard Dean might have endorses John Edwards before Super Tuesday nominating contests on March 2, as Edwards's political stances were more in line with Dean's. [ cite web| url = http://www.newmediamusings.com/2004/02/howard_dean_dro.html| title = New Media Musings ] However, Dean did not comment on the Presidential field before Super Tuesday when John Edwards dropped out of the race after failing to win a single contest.

Fundraising

In the "invisible primary" of raising campaign dollars, Howard Dean led the Democratic pack in the early stages of the 2004 campaign. Among the candidates, he ranked first in total raised ($25.4 million as of September 30, 2003) and first in cash-on-hand ($12.4 million). However, even this performance paled next to that of George W. Bush, who by that date had raised $84.6 million for the Republican primary campaign, in which he had no real challenger. Prior to the 2004 primary season, the Democratic record for most money raised in one quarter by a primary candidate was held by Bill Clinton in 1995, raising $10.3 million during a campaign in which he had no primary opponent. In the third quarter of 2003, the Dean campaign raised $14.8 million, shattering Clinton's record. All told, Dean's campaign raised around $50 million.

While presidential campaigns have traditionally obtained finance by tapping wealthy, established political donors, Dean's funds came largely in small donations over the Internet; the average overall donation size was just under $80. This method of fundraising offered several important advantages over traditional fundraising, in addition to the inherent media interest in what was then a novelty. First, raising money on the Internet was relatively inexpensive, compared to conventional methods such as events, telemarketing, and direct mail campaigns. Secondly, as donors on average contributed far less than the legal limit ($2,000 per individual), the campaign could continue to resolicit them throughout the election season.

Dean's director of grassroots fundraising, Larry Biddle, came up with the idea of the popular fundraising "bat", an image of a cartoon baseball player and bat which appeared on the site every time the campaign launched a fundraising challenge. The bat encouraged Web site visitors to contribute money immediately through their credit cards. This would lead to the bat filling up like a thermometer with the red color indicating the total funds. The site often took suggestions from the netroots on their blog. One of these suggestions led to one of the campaigns biggest accomplishments — an image of Dean eating a turkey sandwich encouraged supporters to donate $250,000 in three days to match a big-donor dinner by Vice President Dick Cheney. The online contributions from that day matched what Cheney made from his fundraiser. [ [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.08/2003.html Wired 13.08: The Candidate: Howard Dean ] ]

In November 2003, after a much-publicized online vote among his followers, Dean became the first Democrat to forgo federal matching funds (and the spending limits that go with them) since the system was established in 1974. (John Kerry later followed his lead.) In addition to state-by-state spending limits for the primaries, the system limits a candidate to spending only $44.6 million until the Democratic National Convention in July, which sum would almost certainly run out soon after the early primary season. (George W. Bush declined federal matching funds in 2000 and did so again for the 2004 campaign.)

In a sign that the Dean campaign was starting to think beyond the primaries, they began in late 2003 to speak of a "$100 revolution" in which 2 million Americans would give $100 in order to compete with Bush.

Political commentators have claimed that the fundraising of presidential candidate Barack Obama, with its emphasis on small donors and the internet, has refined and built upon on the model that Dean's campaign pioneered. [cite news
last=Berman
first=Ari
title=The Dean Legacy
work=The Nation
date=February 28, 2008
url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080317/berman
accessdate=2008-03-03]

Impact

While his presidential bid ultimately ended in failure, Dean's campaign served to frame the White House race by tapping in to voters' concerns about the war in Iraq, energizing Democrats, and sharpening criticism of incumbent George W. Bush. Dean's lone Pennsylvania delegate, State Rep. Mark B. Cohen of Philadelphia, said Dean's decision, ultimately emulated by Kerry, to forgo primary federal matching funds and exceed the matching fund spending limits "marked the day the Democratic Party became a serious contender for national power in 2004."

On October 11, 2007 it was reported that Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney were in early talks about making a "political thriller" based on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, tentatively titled "Farragut North". [ [http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2188505,00.html DiCaprio, Clooney to star in movie about Howard Dean | News | Guardian Unlimited Film ] ] The movie is based on a play of the same name, which is also the name of a Washington Metro station, by former Dean communications director Beau Wilmon. Wilmon went on to work as traveling press secretary for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign. [ [http://www.observer.com/2007/hillary-s-hard-hitting-hipster Hillary's Hard-Hitting Hipster | The New York Observer ] ]

References