The Pew Research Center has looked at who the Deaniacs were, where they are now, and finally figured out what I knew all along:
Link: Introduction: The Dean Activists: Their Profile and Prospects.
As expected, a key rallying point for Dean activists was their shared opposition to the war in Iraq. Two-thirds cited the war as the most important factor in their decision to join the campaign. The perceptions that Dean was willing to speak unpopular truths and would change the direction of country were also strong unifying factors. However, the study's findings belie the popular image of Dean activists as largely young and drawn from college campuses. Instead, the group's overall age distribution is fairly close to that of Democrats in the general public.
There's more, including the fact that Dean activists are heavy news consumers; we remain committed to the Democratic Party, if reluctantly; we think of ourselves as progressives as well as patriots.
I also could've told them this:
The Dean campaign formed the basis for an extensive and enduring social network. Fully 71% of the activists say they met someone in person or online through the campaign, and 45% still keep in touch with a campaign contact.
Sixty-six percent selected the war in Iraq as the most important issue in deciding to support Dean; 34% cited health care, 24% fiscal responsibility. "Concern over special interests" wasn't offered as a selection, but then they didn't ask me—many of the Deaniacs I knew were passionate about taking their country back from the special interests that dominate U.S. elections, despite McCain-Feingold reform. One of my favorite signs was the one that read "I Am Howard Dean's Special Interest."
Among other findings, Deaniacs are more critical of the Democratic party than are Democrats nationally, feel Democratic leaders haven't been critical enough of the president, and believe the most important objective should be expanding the party's base: 59% think we should appeal to middle-class parents, 44% to blue collar factory workers, 39% to Southern whites, and 24% to members of the military. Only 10% think Democrats should try to appeal to evangelical Christians.
What I didn't know: a whopping 13% of us characterize ourselves as vegetarians. Which must explain why my artichoke and sundried tomato pizza from Dion's always disappeared first.
Go read the rest, if you too were an idealistic, internet-junkie, newshound cell-phone user known as a Deaniac. And next time order your own pizza.
