Speaking of 527's...

Well, actually, I wasn't, but HoHo sure has been. Bob Torricelli's $50 K contribution to Americans for Jobs, Healthcare and Progressive Values has been a big piece of Dean's stump rant lately, but he hardly mentions the $100 K the same group got from Slimfast tycoon S. Daniel Abraham. Maybe that's because DeanforHimself has banked their own $2000 check from Mr. Abraham. Likewise California attorney Ken Ziffren, who pitched five grand to the 527, and another two grand at the Dean campaign.

In fact, Americans for Jobs, etc. , wasn't the work of any particular campaign and wasn't created to benefit any particular candidate, which explains the broad coalition of Democrats and Democratic interest groups who kicked into the coffers.

The purpose of TruthandHope.org is somewhat clearer, although there is some push and pull between its specifically pro-Dean stance and it's ardently anti-Kerry program. They've been raising money for hit pieces in selected markets, with two airing in Wisconsin this week.

But there's no question that it's work being done for the benefit of a single campaign, no matter how much that work does to the detriment of the Democratic Party. It is, by it's own statement, "...an opportunity for those who wish to give more to and for the cause, but who have already allocated their maximum $2000 contribution," the cause being the personal ambition of Dr. Dean (and here you thought HoHo raised all that money in $50 chunks...).

What's not clear is where the money comes from. A search turns up no FEC record of contributions, and the groups website offers a link to 'sponsors' that provides the notice "To Be Announced."

We do know one name, though. TruthandHope.org provides a bio of its founder, an Orange County, CA mortgage broker by the name of Eugene Hedlund, a self-described "...lifelong Republican and a fervent supporter of George W. Bush in 2000." Ah, yes. A sterling example of the 'Democratic base' that the Dean campaign claims to have energized. Mr. Hedlund has been brought to the light, though, by the magical political healing power of HoHo.

When the scales fell from his eyes, Mr. Hedlund realized that his mission was to construct a website that is dedicated to revealing the John Kerry is really no different than John Ashcroft and Rick Santorum (and you thought 'Bush-lite was a slam!) and conspiratorial muttering about Skull & Bones to finance a series of negative ads against Kerry around the country. My God! The man even reveals that Democratic Senator John Kerry has sometimes voted the same way as Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman!

He's not saying who's paying for his efforts, though, or what he'll do in November.

And HoHo isn't saying anything at all.

So the next time Dean or a Deaner invokes former Democratic Senator Bob Torricelli's name and demands an explanation, just remember "lifelong Republican and a fervent supporter of George W. Bush" Eugene Hedlund and demand that Dean drop out.

Now.

Enough damage has been done.

No Mo HoHo.