I think Sen. Obama's campaign is proof that big donors don't have to mean anything.

Dean should tell this guy to stuff it. Then he should publicly pressure Clinton to get out while she still has some dignity.

Then, he can turn to the Obama crowd and say - how about sending some of these $20 donations our way? A great internet blitz - using a "Party Building Party" slogan (DNC Online Dance Party?) and they can make up the difference.

The big donors will come back - they like their clout too much. And if they don't, f--- 'em! The future of the party is more important than this one guy and his checkbook. I have way too much respect for Dean and his own grassroots leanings to believe he'll be strong-armed by this yahoo.

Patricof has been on team Clinton since 1988 so no one should be surprised if he and others so committed do request refunds and stop contributing to the DNC should Dean ignore their dictats.

In a way, it's a positive as their blatant attempt to strong arm the dem party starkly reveals the ugly truth behind who thinks they should control it.

If Obama wins the nomination and the election, there's a good chance for dems to remake the party from the ground up. Clinton supporters (25% according to the recent Pew poll) who would vote for McCain are no big loss as their dem credentials are null and void. Same goes for Obama supporters who would vote for McCain, IMO.

I ran across a hilarious account in the NY Observer of Patricof and other "Hillary All Stars" on the ground in Iowa last December. Their message to the voters of Ames was that they came all the way from NEW YORK CITY! and knew Hillary, therefore the recipients of their attentions should support her.

To say these super volunteers were clueless is to put it mildly. Patricof was the worst of them as he wondered why the residents of Ames, IA didn't head south for the winter and even worse, as he and his fellow bumbling bundlers attempted to muscle folks in a local retirement home:

"The Waterford at Ames Assisted Living retirement home had Christmas figurines, walkers and listless seniors in its lobby. As Ms. Gilman went to plead with a stern, thick-armed manager for access to the dining room during dinner, the New York contingent waited around, contemplating unfinished puzzles, discussing who would get the Des Moines Register endorsement and trying to win more converts. (“You going to caucus?” Mr. Patricof asked a woman sitting in front of her walker.)

The manager allowed the bundlers to visit a few Clinton enthusiasts with whom the campaign had had some contact. Lenore Pearey, an elderly woman who lived in a room packed with scores of porcelain and stuffed dolls, had Hillary’s name painted on all of her nails. (“I’m trying to promote her by my fingernails,” she explained.) When she complained from the depths of a love seat that she had no way of getting to a caucus the bundlers burst out in chorus: “We’ll get you a ride.”

A few minutes later, Mr. Nemazee and Mr. Patricof tried together to convince another avid Hillary supporter, Marie Baldus, to go to caucus.

“I can’t,” she said. “My legs.”

“It’s really, really important,” said Mr. Nemazee.

“A reason we have George Bush is because a lot of people didn’t make the effort,” added Mr. Patricof.

“Oh, yes,” she agreed. “But my legs.”

The retirement home’s manager came to the room to tell the New Yorkers that they couldn’t campaign at dinnertime because it could upset residents with dementia. Mr. Patricof protested and Ms. Duke, ever the ambassador, tried to assure the woman that they would leave immediately at the first sign that their presence was a disturbance. The manager refused."
http://www.observer.com/2007/hillary-bundlers-canvass-humbly-iowa?page=0%2C2

Too bad this event happened so long ago as SNL could have done a great skit based on these characters canvassing in Ames.
Well, the OLD SNL could have nailed it. Belushi as Nemazee and Bill Murray as Patricof, anyone?