Big News« Thread Started on Apr 17, 2005, 10:59am »--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear America,Every four years, a few months before the presidential election, the Democratic Party puts staff and resources on the ground in a few battleground states ... and then they're gone. After November the whole operation disappears.Then, four years later, we do the same thing all over again.That hasn't worked. And I ran for chairman on a promise to do it another way.So a few days ago I met with the state party chairs, and we made a decision together. For the first time ever we're going to build for the future by putting staff and resources on the ground early -- starting in 2005, not 2008. The first four states: North Dakota, Missouri, North Carolina and West Virginia.How soon the next 46 states get moving depends on you -- can you make a contribution now?http://www.democrats.org/50statesYou mandated a party built from the ground up, and that's exactly what we're going to do.The half-million dollars we're investing in these first four states will pay for professional organizers -- the key staff who will develop skills and help build a permanent network of Democrats at the grassroots level.But we cannot stop here. It's your party, and it will only grow with your help:http://www.democrats.org/50statesI am personally dedicated to making sure that every single state has the resources and infrastructure to compete at every level of office.To do that, we need a Democratic Party that commits to a long-term presence in every state, every region, and every community.I can't wait to announce that we're moving into the next group of states -- but the timetable is up to you. Your $100 contribution grows the Democratic Party faster, and will immediately make us more competitive:http://www.democrats.org/50statesThe Republican Party isn't waiting. They have been building for years, and every day that slips by means another opportunity missed.This is your time. This is your challenge. Let's get to work -- together.Thank you. Gov. Howard DeanDemocratic National Committee Chief