COLUMBIA--Howard Dean was a no-show for a state Democratic Party fund-raiser Wednesday after bad weather in Philadelphia kept the Democratic National Committee chairman grounded.

But Dean's absence didn't stop state Republicans from screaming all the way to the bank.

"The weather just made it impossible to get down there," DNC spokesman Luis Miranda said. Dean is committed to help the state party raise money and grow and he will reschedule the visit, Miranda said.

Lachlan McIntosh, the party's executive director, said $5,000 in Internet donations had come in for the event. Plans had called for 300 people to show up at the minimum $50-per-person event, generating at least $15,000 more. At about 4 p.m., some were already lining up for the event before it was canceled. When word came that Dean's plane wouldn't be off the ground in time to make it to Columbia, the party sent out a note saying it would be refunding money instead of putting it in the bank.

Dean has been stirring interest at the state level and has reinvigorated efforts to reach people who give small donations to political causes and candidates. Dean can keep those people engaged and interested as the 2006 contests loom, said Furman University political science professor Jim Guth.

"Our commitment to the South Carolina party is clear, which is why the DNC has included it in our most recent round of investments in state parties," Dean said

While Democrats waited for the former presidential candidate, the state GOP held a Dean scream contest in anticipation of Dean's arrival. A week ago, the party sent out a flier inviting people to a "No-show send Howard home rally" and garnered $22,000 in contributions, said Scott Malyerck, the state GOP executive director.

"We hope Howard Dean comes back every month," Malyerck said.

The state GOP's scream-off was intended to poke fun at Dean, whose attempt at a troop-rallying "yeah" after the 2004 Iowa caucus became the most laughed about moment of the campaign. Dean lost the next 16 contests, including a next-to-last showing in South Carolina a couple of weeks later.

The scream-off drew a handful of high school and college Republicans who were judged on "lack of poise in appearance" and "extent of angry, insane ranting."

The contest didn't impress McIntosh, who said it is time for Republicans to "stop screaming and start trying to lead again."

But not all the state Democrats support some of Dean's recent comments.