When he was running for DNC chair, Dean promised to bump up financial support for the states, full time staff, funds, etc. It appears however that he hasn't been the Uber fundraiser he was touted to be, so I wonder just how the organizational base views him now. He seems to be disconnected from the politicians who actually have to run for something.
Before McCain Feingold campaign finance reform was enacted into law, most money donated to the DNC was given by individual candidates. The money came from a fairly small number of donors who could contribute unlimited amounts. Donations in those amoutns are now illegal.
One of the last acts of Deans predecessor was to move nearly all of the fund raising staff and their accounts to 527's under the control of Bill and Hillary Clinton. 527s have no limits and don't report to anyone.
The Clinton people put out the word that Dean is not collecting money in the amounts of those who held the job before him. That cannot be done by anyone. But Dean is raising substantial quantities of money and most of it is going to those he promised it. They are quite happy with the major increases in funds from the DNC.
As a result the local Democratic officials love him.