The GOP’s secret weapon: Howard Dean

How great is the Doctor from Vermont? First, he flies to Austin (a considerable expense) to attend a fundraiser attended by 100 people. Then Robert Novak reports that the DNC plans to spend less on House races nationally than the Republicans plan to spend in each contested race:

Whereas DNC chairmen in past cycles have dedicated as much as $20 million to the election of Democratic House members, DNC Chairman Howard Dean will provide a mere $2 million. By contrast, the Republican National Committee (RNC) this year is expected to spend that much in each of 18 contested congressional districts, for a total of nearly $40 million.

No wonder Rahm Emanuel is ticked at Dean. He's on to us!