News outlets are reporting that Howard Dean has sent an e-mail to his "Dean-iacs" announcing that if he loses Wisconsin, he'll quit the race. The e-mail actually reads (in part), "The entire race has come down to this: we must win Wisconsin ... Anything less will put us out of this race." Whether that is a true "promise to quit" is quite debatable, and official Dean spokesman Jay Carson wouldn't clarify, saying "It's a moot point because we are going to win Wisconsin."

But it got me thinking. This could be your last chance to jump on the Howard Deal Blogwagon. Oh, everyone knows about The Official Howard Dean Weblog, but how many of you have taken the time to explore some of the featured sites that highlight his core constituencies?

It can be overwhelming, of course. First, there is the problem of duelling sites: Who speaks for the Mormons? Mormons for Dean? Mormons for Dean 2? Or the Mormons for Dean Blog? The Unemployed for Dean probably have some time on their hands to Blog, but should you follow Unemployed for Dean Org? Or Unemployed for Dean Com? (I would pick .org. The .com seems counter-intuitive for the out-of-work).

More problematic is trying to identify yourself. Are you best identified by your job? (If so, perhaps you should visit Graphic Designers for Dean, Pilots for Dean, or Petsitters for Dean). Your hobbies? (Drop by Cyclists for Dean, Deadheads for Dean, or maybe even Foodies for Dean). Your sexual identity? (try Gays for Dean, Dykes for Dean, or be inclusive and stick with Out For Dean).

There is no question the ladies have a better range of choices. There are Women For Dean and Women4Dean, but no Men For Dean. You can seek the advice of gentle Common Sense Mom or the more stern sounding Security Moms for Dean, but alas, the only male parent-figure willing to speak up is One Father For Dean (though there are also Two Uncles for Dean). And, what pining lass wouldn't stop by Crushies For Dean or Deanybopper at least once a day?

You can also go regional, though that can be confusing. Do you go statewide (California for Dean)? Or regional (Central Coast for Dean)? Do you go Collegiate (UC Berkeley for Dean)? Or Collegiate Team? (UCLA Bruins for Dean)? And who is supporting who? If you live in Taos, are you better off visiting New Mexico for Dean? Or Dean for New Mexico (and what exactly is New Mexico running for)?

I prefer obvious Dean sites (Dr. Dean the Fighting Machine, Howard Dean Goes to Washington, Dean Nation, etc.), but you can also go the subtle route, scanning completely non-intuitive pro-Dean sites like People Powered Graphics and Music For America (which covers "music and other social causes." Is music really a social cause? American Idol music, too?). My favorites? I like to visit the vaguely dirty-sounding ones like DeanPix, Nurses for Dean, or even Tabling for Dean.

The most obvious failing of the Dean site though? No link to Ishbadiddle.

Some candidates just don't get it.

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