Democracy for America

Democracy for America (DFA) was created in 2004 by then presidential candidate Howard Dean (D-Vermont).

In the March 23, 2004, issue of Salon, Lisa Chamberlain wrote that Dean had launched Democracy for America, with his first goal to defeat George W. Bush by taking on Ralph Nader.

Mission
The DFA website stated then stated that "To help defeat George W. Bush and his agenda in 2004, Democracy for America will focus on key battleground states, mobilizing our supporters and the groundbreaking organizing tools we developed during our campaign - planting seeds on the Internet, meeting face to face at the grassroots, bringing new people into the process. We will use these same tools to support congressional, state, and local candidates across America who stand for our principles." "The new organization will play a role in helping Kerry win the presidency in November. Democracy For America also will seek to influence the Democratic Party in much the way that conservatives helped to reshape the Republican Party more than 20 years ago." 

"Dean believes he can help to raise money for important congressional races by asking the more than 600,000 people who signed up for his campaign via his Web site to donate. When he was leading in the presidential contest he successfully did that for an Iowa congressman who had not even endorsed him. "Democratic leaders hope that Dean can and will do the same thing to help Kerry raise money. The question is whether he'll turn over the list of names and e-mail addresses he gathered. "Some of his aides have said they are researching the legalities, including how the list would be viewed by federal elections regulators. It could be considered valuable enough that it would exceed campaign contribution limits. Putting a value on it could be difficult." 

Projects
RetireTomDelay.com is raising $100,000 over the Net to run ads in "DeLay's backyard". (19 October 2004)

According to Bob Kinsey, Green candidate for the 4th Congressional District in Colorado in 2004, DFA became alarmed when he scored 34% in an early poll, despite the late entrance into the race of centrist Democrat Stan Matsunaka to replace Republican incumbent Marilyn Musgrave and flew a consultant out from Washington, D.C., to try to persuade him to drop out of the race. Kinsey asked that Matsunaka essentially adopt the Green platform - an intentionally harsh demand which he knew DFA would turn down.

Funding
"Contributions to Democracy for America are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes." Additionally: "Contributions to the Democracy for America federal account are subject to the prohibitions and limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. That law prohibits federal contributions from corporations, labor unions, and foreign nationals who are not admitted for permanent residence. All contributions must be made from personal funds and may not be reimbursed by any other person. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes." 

Contact
URL: DemocracyForAmerica.com URL: weblog: blogforamerica.com URL: Dean blog: blog.deanforamerica.com

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Jim Dean
 * Bush administration (see numerous links)
 * Bush-Cheney '04 Inc.
 * Federal Election Commission
 * internet activism
 * John Forbes Kerry
 * John Forbes Kerry: U.S. Presidential Campaign 2004
 * U.S. congressional elections in 2006
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: Active Advocacy Groups
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: Campaign Ad Issues
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: Campaign Issues
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: Campaign Quotes
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: The Culture War
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004: Wedge Issues
 * U.S. presidential election, 2008

External articles

 * "Dean to announce new group," CNN/AP, March 19, 2004: "The initials -- DFA -- are those of his high-flying presidential campaign, "Dean for America," but Howard Dean's new advocacy group will recruit like-minded candidates seeking lower-tier offices as well as promote the election of Democratic candidate John Kerry."
 * Lisa Chamberlain, "Dr. Dean's new Rx," Salon, March 23, 2004: "Howard Dean launches a new organization, Democracy for America. His first goal: Defeat Bush by taking on Nader."