Howard Dean wrote a personal letter to my girlfriend this week. It started, "Dear Heather..." and ended "Governor Howard Dean, M.D., Chariman, DNC" He even included a post script reminder that said, "Don't forget to check the box below to donate your 1% rebate to help the Democratic National Committee."

Yes, Howard was selling a VISA card for the DNC. So <b>that's</b> what a National Committee chairman does!

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not picking on the Governor. I'm sure Ken Mehlman is offering a similar deal to members of the Republican Party, the one difference being no one's ever heard of Ken Mehlman.

Our former governor has garnered enough celebrity points to make him quite the selling power in certain circles, and I knew they had a winner on their hands when my girlfriend's reaction to the letter was not one of disgust, but rather an enthusiastic, "Ooo."

Howard lives just down the street from us. Occasionally we see him walking with his wife on our street. It is now impossible for me to not imagine meeting him on the sidewalk, see him whip out his VISA platinum, and exclaim, "Hee-aaa! Have you got yours yet?!"

I think it's weird that he's allowing VISA to send this letter with his name on it. If I saw the Doctor on a VISA commercial, I would probably laugh and appreciate it. But to see a dime-a-dozen form letter with his name and signature at the bottom does nothing to impress me about his character, or VISA's reputation. If he ends up being on a VISA commercial in a creative way, I'll change my mind. If this commercial already exists and I've missed it, I apologize...please let me know.

What do you think about this endorsement?

If you would like to see a copy of the letter, I have placed it here for your reading pleasure.