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"Hey, Big Spender
where's our $35 million?"

Joe Trippi political cartoon.

Jan. 29, 2004

Dean Blog Blames Trippi 

Howard Dean rocked the Dean Blog (web log) late yesterday as news broke out on MSNBC and DRUDGE of the firing/resignation of campaign manager Joe Trippi.

The news hit at 4:40 pm, and the timing could not have been worse.

For two hours prior, Dean bloggers had peppered the site with worried questions regarding the financial status of the campaign:

“…does anyone know if there is truth to the rumor that we are seriously running out of money after raising $40 million???”

“…This item is buried in a Wall Street Journal story on yesterday's primary: "The major Democratic contenders all have nearly exhausted their campaign treasuries; advisers say that even Mr. Dean, who raised an unmatched $40 million in 2003, has less than $5 million left.”

“…I'm a poor-a$$ law student. My wife (a med student) and I live off of only my loans, meaning money is always a problem... Please everyone, dig deep. It pained me to do so (and if my wife finds out, she'll kill me)...”

“…Hate to break it to you guys--but we are almost out of money….”

“…My wife and I currently have no income, and we gave $50 to the Dean campaign today. It's money we don't really have…”

Comments about money (or rather, the lack of it) are common on the Dean blog. Some Dean supporters have bragged about their use of (high-interest rate) credit cards to contribute, chastising (bullying?) those not following suit. But yesterday's comments were far from the usual fare of money-martyrs' heroics. For such Deanies, news of an already tapped out war chest brought a stiff dose of reality.

It was into this midst that news of Trippi’s departure hit the blog – rapidly confirmed with a curt letter by Trippi himself. And with that, many Deanies commenced connecting the dots with the campaign’s financial and leadership woes:

“… if 35 million has been spent on two states then that’s outrageous. It's been reported that Dean only found out a couple of days ago that the money has been squandered. I don't want to diss Trippi but could it have something to do with him? Whoever it is it's pretty unacceptable cuz it's your [the bloggers’]money!”

“…What did you do with our $40 million dollars, Joe? We got our asses handed to us in Iowa and NH, and we can't make payroll. I'm VERY angry at you …”

“… Trippi's critics in the campaign had complained to Dean about the massive TV ad expenditures in Iowa and New Hampshire, a share of which went to the media firm run by Trippi and Steve McMahon….”

“…Dean raised 40 million. Spent 35 million in Iowa and NH. Asked staff to defer pay for at least 2 weeks. Got rid of Trippi who wanted to focus on a few key states. Brought in Neal who wants to play everywhere. Has been told point blank by backers in Congress that he needs a win soon. Steve Grossman is saying Dean needs a win in the next two weeks and one assumes he is talking big states (not Del, Maine, or ND). Talk all you want about bats. But it is bottom of the ninth, 1 out, you're down by 5 and people are leaving the stands. The eagles have left your standards. The ravens croaked on your standards after Iowa. Now even the ravens are gone. But the vultures are hanging over you…”

It looks like the Dean campaign is in for another rough stretch.

YAAAAAARL!