Dear Supporters,

Tonight I am speaking in New Haven, Connecticut, to thank a group of people who worked hard to support our campaign. I am grateful to all of you for everything you have done to advance our cause.

Our work to build a better America has only just begun.

On March 18th, I will announce our plans for a new organization to focus our nationwide grassroots campaign on transforming the Democratic Party and changing America.

We are determined to keep this organization as vibrant as it was throughout our campaign -- and your involvement is crucial to success. Please attend your Meetup next week and work with your local group to spread the word that our mission continues:

http://dean2004.meetup.com

As we look to the future, we must be sure to meet the obligations we already have. Thanks to you, we are retiring the campaign's debt rapidly. Please contribute today to help our campaign transition into its new form rapidly and responsibly:

http://www.deanforamerica.com/debtreduction

There are many ways to bring change. We are leaving one path, but we will follow a new path that will lead to the same destination: taking our country back.

Our new effort will seek nothing less than to change America by:

   - Reviving our democracy and bringing new people into politics

   - Supporting candidates and office-holders who tell the truth, stand up for what they believe,
     and oppose the radical agenda of the far right

   - Fighting against special interests, and

   - Fighting for progressive policies like health care for all, investment in children, equal rights
     under the law, fiscal responsibility, and a national security policy that makes America
     stronger by working with allies and advancing progressive American values.

Everyone involved in our campaign should stay involved, stay together, stay with the Democratic Party, and support the Democratic nominee. As I have said before, I strongly urge my supporters not to be tempted by independent or third-party candidates.

Let me tell you how I think the Democratic Party can win in 2004:

This year, our campaign made the case that in order to defeat George W. Bush, the Democratic Party must stand up strong for its principles -- not paper over its differences with the most radical Administration in our lifetime.

In order to win, the Democratic Party must aggressively expose the ways in which George W. Bush's policies benefit the privileged and the most extreme ideologues.

I will do everything I can to ensure that the 2004 Democratic nominee runs as a true progressive -- with an agenda for working Americans and their hopes for a better future. Because that is the way to win in 2004.

Thank you again for all that you have done. Please continue to visit www.deanforamerica.com and www.blogforamerica.com frequently for the latest news as we prepare to launch our new initiative.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.