Howard Dean pours extra money into four red states.

[Gabu]

Well, Dean's actions are obviously a gamble, and I feel he likely knows that.  It remains to be seen whether it pays off or is just a giant waste of money, but I get the sense that Dean's game plan is to try something completely different instead of just retaining the status quo in the Democratic Party of slowly attempting to hack away at the swing states in a desperate attempt to squeeze more Democratic support out of them.  Personally, I welcome the idea, if only because it's something new, as the Democratic Party seriously needs something new.  America today is not hardcore Republican, but the odds are definitely tilted against the Democratic Party unless they do things to seriously shake things up in the country.

Is this a good idea?  I have no idea.  Do I like the fact that Dean is trying it out, regardless?  Yes.  We'll see what happens.  If nothing else, Dean might be able to give some sense of hope back to the Democratic Party, which can only be a good thing, even if his money does turn out to be wasted on these specific endeavors.  Belief that you can do something is the first step towards actually doing it, and a lack of belief instantly kills any chance you ever had.  I get the sense that Dean's idea may be not to singlehandedly solve all of the Democratic Party's problems, but to motivate other members of the Democratic Party to do their part as well, even those in dark red states who have all but completely lost hope of ever being relevant.