Bell Weather

Up till yesterday, Chris Bell was able to maintain the useful fiction that he was just "exploring" running for Governor. Thanks to Quorum Call and Off the Kuff, the mystery is now officially gone. I thought something might be up when the Bell campaign sent out an email requesting that supporters write to Democracy for America (DFA), asking their support of Chris. DFA is the spin-off grassroots effort from the Howard Dean campaign. All you Deaniacs are going to love this (not that other Dems shouldn't cheer also!). The two blogs announced confirmation that several people had signed up to work for the Bell campaign. The most notable of these is undoubtedly Joe Trippi, who will be doing internet development.

This doesn't mean you will be seeing Joe out on the hustings, or even in Texas at this stage (but maybe a few fundraisers!). But it does say that there is serious national attention for the Bell campaign, and probably means that his fundraising has been doing well enough. We should be heartened that we are more likely today to have a strong candidate at the top of the ticket next year than we were a week ago.

The positions announced yesterday are:

• Media/Research Operative - Jason Stanford
• Fundraising -Heidi Kirkpatrick
• Internet - Joe Trippi
• General Consultant - Bob Doyle
• Media - Neil Kammeron of Fenn Communications
• Mail - Duane Baughman

Duane Baughman also has Dean campaign connections. Bob Doyle is an interesting choice, as he has made a career of helping bluedog-type Dems in Congressional elections in purple/red districts.

DEMOPHOENIX