Two years ago, nobody woulda thunk the former governor of a small northeastern state would find himself in the thick of the presidential race – and setting the agenda for everybody else, including the Big Dubya. It’s still far too soon to tell how this will all sort out next year – but in getting there fast, bringing out forgotten progressive voters, riding the Internet wave, and setting the terms of debate on war and peace, Howard Dean and the Deanheads stand tall. Two Austin originals can take major credit for the Dean surge: former District 51 Rep. Glen Maxey (see Readers, Best Activist) and Convio Inc., the software firm specializing in Web sites for nonprofit organizing and fundraising. Maxey was the instant heart of the Texas Dean campaign, and Convio (now also working for Dean rival Joe Lieberman) provided the cyber-expertise to make it all possible. New motto: All politics is virtual …
