Editing Democracy for America (section)

=== Foundation and early history (2001–2004) ===
Dean created the PAC '''Fund for a Healthy America''' in 2001 in [[Montpelier, Vermont|Montpelier]] in advance of a planned campaign for president.<ref>The Buying of the President 2004: Center for Public Integrity http://projects.publicintegrity.org/bop2004/candidate.aspx?cid=8 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403074631/http://projects.publicintegrity.org/bop2004/candidate.aspx?cid=8 |date=2009-04-03 }}</ref><ref>{{ Citation
 | last=Clift
 | first=Eleanor
 | title=Howard Who?
 | publisher=Newsweek
 | date=January 4, 2002
 | url =http://www.newsweek.com/id/63256
 | access-date = 2009-07-12
 }}</ref> In March 2004, following the conclusion of Dean's presidential campaign, the organization was renamed "Democracy for America."<ref>FEC Amended Statement of Organization, Org. # C00370007, March 18, 2004 available at {{cite web |url=http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00370007 |title=Reports Image Index for Committee Id C00370007 |access-date=2009-08-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709141050/http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00370007 |archive-date=2012-07-09 }}</ref>

Following his unsuccessful run for the [[2004 Democratic primary|Democratic nomination]] in the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential election]], Dean used the organization to build on the grassroots momentum for [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidates around the country and for his successful campaign to become chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]].<ref>{{ Citation
 | last=Keil
 | first=Richard
 | title=Dean becomes Chairman of Democratic Party
 | publisher=Bloomberg.com
 | date=February 12, 2005
 | url =https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aAIK1420ODjU&refer=us
 | access-date = 2009-07-12
 }}</ref> DFA used the Internet-based, grassroots organizing that Dean had created for his presidential campaign to help like-minded Democrats get elected.<ref>{{ Citation
 | last=Mercurio
 | first=John
 | title=Democracy (Dean) for America
 | publisher=CNN.com Morning Grind
 | date=May 6, 2004
 | url =http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/18/thu/index.html
 | access-date = 2009-07-12
 }}</ref> In 2004 the organization endorsed and supported Democrats (known as the [[Dean Dozen]]) on the federal, state, and county levels.