Page 183 - The Resilient Organization

170 Part Four: Step 3. Rehearsing a Culture of Resilience

campaign organization to attract large numbers of contributors. We believe
that these two aspects have implications beyond political campaigning to
resilient organizing.

“We Want Our Country Back”

On March 15, 2003, at the state of California’s Democratic convention,
Dean, a presidential hopeful and a medical doctor from the small state of
Vermont, introduced himself as representing “the Democratic wing of the
Democratic Party.” His comment was linked to his vocal opposition to the
Iraq war, which was to begin a few days later. The remarks drew an enthu-
siastic reception, similar to what Dean received when he first gave his
remarks at the February meeting in Washington, DC. In addition, toward
the end of his remarks, Dean said: “I want my country back!”
In his book that reflects on his experience as a presidential candidate,
Dean reflects on that formative day saying that “the words just rose from
my gut.” He describes being struck by the emotional reaction of the audi-
ence as he further declared, “We want our country back!” (Dean & Warner,
2004: 1). The theme became one of the informal rallying calls of the cam-
paign, used regularly by Howard Dean in his speeches and adopted in the
public dialogue and expressions of some of Dean’s supporters. “Taking the
country back” became a shorthand phrase for a variety of general aspira-
tions that campaign participants shared: standing up to Christian evangel-
ists within the Republican Party; helping the Democratic Party rediscover
and fight for its principles; restoring hope in the country’s democracy;
regaining respect for America around the world; and envisioning the
inclusion of all people in America’s public life, irrespective of their gender,
race, or sexual orientation. The theme soon became an encompassing and
engaging goal, adopted and variated by his followers.

The Evolution of Fund-Raising Activities

Beyond an enticing goal, a candidate needs money. After filing to run for
president in mid-2002, Dean was lacking in fund-raising prospects. In
January 2003, the Economist magazine concluded that Dean looked like a
typical candidate who had no hope of being a contender but who