When he lost in the primary, Dean repurposed the group to become a national grassroots organization in support of Democratic candidates.

FORBES: Fleeing Wisconsin Senators Find An Ally In Howard Dean

Kerry and Howard Dean are the only Democratic candidates to opt out of public financing.

CNN: Kerry set to loan campaign $6 million

With Dean getting only 22 percent of the vote when all nine candidates are listed (more than double the second-place challenger), it is tempting to assume that nearly eight in 10 registered Democrats don't want Dean as their party's standard-bearer.

CNN: Poll: Dean starts 2004 leading Dems

Dean was the front-runner in national polls of Democratic presidential candidates at the time AFSCME endorsed him, but he has yet to win a single primary contest.

CNN: Dean loses endorsement from major labor union