Get a Phone Call from Howard Dean

[realFedUp]

Today Republican Leadership will spend the day schmoozing elite donors from across the country who have paid up to $25,000 for access. Even John McCain will check his campaign finance reform credentials at the door to dine with special interests and lobbyists paying $5,000 a plate for lunch.

That's not how we Democrats do business. We are building a broad base of donors large and small to hold our party accountable to the people.

While Republican leaders wine and dine the super rich, Chairman Dean will spend his day today talking with ordinary Americans. He will be calling regular folks who have given $25 -- not $25,000 -- and listening to what you have to say about our party, our country, and our future.

You stepped up and put your dollars behind the plan to build a truly national party in all 50 states. As a result, you could be one of those receiving a call. Please let me know what motivated you to give:

http://www.democrats.org/grassrootsdonorstory

While the GOP is beholden to their corporate lobbyists, using big donations to buy access Governor Dean is doing business a different way. On every trip he focuses on you, blocking off time for low-dollar fundraisers and meetings with grassroots groups, community leaders and local activists.

In this culture of corruption, Republicans are willing to sell influence to the highest bidder -- which means they will always collect more of the huge checks. We're doing things differently; we're expanding the way our party is funded and putting the power in your hands.

It's already happening -- small donors are becoming the lifeblood of the Democratic Party. Thanks to contributions of whatever people can afford, the party has raised more money than in any other post-election year -- ever. Republicans used to out-raise Democrats by as much as 4 to 1. But by reaching out to a broad base of ordinary people, we have cut that advantage in half. And we're just getting started.

You can add to the momentum:

http://www.democrats.org/reform

While the GOP is focused on raising money from lobbyists and other powerful interests, they aren't focused on the issues that affect your life. Ask yourself: do you feel better off or safer today? Probably not. But the corporate lobbyists who'll attend tonight's dinner certainly do.

The truth is, Republican leaders grow more out of touch every day as they focus on the needs of corporate interests and the radical right-wing. And they don't even pretend to listen to the concerns of real people anymore. By day the President travels to staged town hall meetings with hand-picked favorable audiences, by night he headlines $25,000 a plate dinners with elite special interests.

We can do better than that. Democrats believe in clean and honest government. We believe in a balanced budget and a strong economy, where after a life spent working hard, you earn a secure retirement. We believe in a strong national defense, and honoring our commitments to our veterans. We believe that health care should be affordable, and we believe in an education system that works for everybody.

The Democratic Party is about everyone having a seat at the table. And your participation is transforming our party and our country.

Thank you so much for everything.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Lewis
Finance Director
Democratic National Committee