First Door on the Left

Howard Dean announced yesterday that he had raised close to $9 million this year, establishing himself as a top-tier candidate in the Democratic presidential field. The figure stunned his rivals and transformed Dr. Dean from a maverick into a more traditional contender.

Much of the money was collected over the Internet, his aides said, leaving little doubt there are now ways to solicit contributions other than the telephone calls and elaborate fund-raisers that are the stock and trade for most mainstream candidates.

Dr. Dean’s aides said he would report raising at least $6.2 million in the three-month period that ends at midnight, on top of $2.6 million he raised over the first three months of the year. Dr. Dean announced the figure 36 hours before the filing period ends, timing the release for a slow-news Sunday afternoon.

“We are thrilled,” Dr. Dean’s campaign manager, Joe Trippi, said. “Right now our new goal is $6.5 million by midnight tomorrow.”

The other campaigns said yesterday that they would wait until the fund-raising period was over before releasing their results.

“He’ll beat everybody,” Steve Elmendorf, a senior adviser to Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, said of Dr. Dean.

I realize the campaign says the goal is $6.5 million, but I really think we can do at least $7 million. What do you say? We have until midnight tonight, so please contribute now! Help Governor Dean take our country back!