Joe, this was a hilarious post - well done 
Hi all-
Myles from Meetup here. That's a GREAT wrap-up, Joe!
I just wanted to remind y'all that these Dean Meetups are a local news story in EVERY town people have signed up -- and are meeting up.
Do you have an inclination to approach your local media?
I can help... drop me a note:
press@meetup.com
Best,
Myles Weissleder
Meetup VP, Communications
It's no wonder all the other campaigns have such low numbers. If they aren't bright enough to put a link to meetup.com on their website than they don't deserve the support of grassroots America. Their lack of linking meetup from their sites probably attributes to having few members with meetup. That being said, you search yahoo groups and google and there is almost a vacum going on. It's like no one online is firmly with Kerry or Edwards. At least not enough to start a fan page or grassroots page.
excellent post! you had me rolling out of my chair with this one. 
Question: should we be worrying about being overtaken by the Gary Hart Meetup organization, which appears to be copying Dean in many ways?
These numbers speak for themselves. Afterall, they simply represent Americans like you & I who want to take our country back.
Joe, your note about "nurturing civil society" is right on point.
We are a force in Texas, bringing over 500 enthusiasts to the table:
Austin 243
Houston 137
Dallas 112
Fort Worth 43
San-Antonio 38
Go Dean!
The comment about people not being involved in a campaign before -- including me, and I've voted in 5 presidential elections -- is huge and important.
Meetup totals are nice, but the Dean campaign has been explicit in using Meetup to organize (a great idea, but it also skews the results.)
I'd love to see press talking about this aspect of the Dean phenomenon, even if the Dr. or the campaign have to plant the seed (a la the attempt to position Dean as the McCain-like straight-talker candidate.)