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Breaking: Howard Dean To Stay As Chair Of The DNC
Here's the statement, sent over by Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton:
"Senator Obama appreciates the hard work that Chairman Dean has done to grow our party at the grassroots level and looks forward to working with him as the chairman of the Democratic Party as we go forward."
Historically, a DNC chair's tenure is uncertain once a nominee is chosen, since said nominee might want to install his own guy there, but as Ben Smith notes, Dean has a power base built up among state party chairs across the country who love his 50-state strategy of investing in them.
The DNC earlier today confirmed that Obama had installed his man Paul Tewes to serve as his eyes and ears at the organization, a sign that Obama is moving quickly to re-shape the party in his own image. Obama's party, it turns out, will include Dean at the top of the DNC.
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Wow, Obama really is the boss now, isn't he?
June 5, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
And the Boss knows that his campaign was built on the chassis Dean began welding in his campaign. Shrewd...
As always.
June 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Total agreement. Dean's model put Obama in the driver's seat. Thank you Chairman Dean!
June 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very smart. It's exactly the right thing to do. Plus it shows Obama's not a control freak and that he's willing to extend his circle far and wide.
June 5, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Time's Exclusive interview:
I am the greatest!
http://www.baseball-statistics.com/Greats/Century/Pictures/clay-liston.jpg
June 5, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why wouldn't Dean stay on? Dean showed true courage with his 50 state strategy and it is paying off for the Democrats.
June 5, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love this! Another reason why it's good that Obama, and not Clinton, is the nominee. Dean was going to be sacked immediately with Clinton as nominee, and some DLC person would like be put in.
Dean's 50-state strategy is absolutely the best thing to happen to the DNC in a long, long time!
June 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I totally agree.
In many ways, Obama has won the nomination using the 50 state strategy, or something similar.
Remember, there were quite a few Dems who hated the strategy (especially amongst the DLC.) Dean took some fire for it, but he stuck to his guns and did a hell of a job.
Why hasn't anyone floated the idea of Dean as VP? I'm serious here. Health care is a big issue, he is a doctor...
June 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very interesting point, nisleib.
June 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm totally serious.
What are the knocks against him? The scream? What else?
He was a Governor, which is good because Obama is a Senator.
June 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, because he's an effete liberal America-hating Northeasterner, just like Barack Obama? (I kid!) (But, yeah.)
June 5, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dean appeals largely to the same crowd Obama does (i.e., progressive, more highly educated democrats), and brings nothing new or additional to the table. By my way of thinking, at least, you try to choose a VP that shores (sp?) up some of your perceived weaknesses. It's not a knock on Dean, who I supported back in '04, but more a recognition of political realities.
June 5, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Haven't the last three presidents completely knocked that theory on it's arse?
What did Quayle "bring to the table" for H.W.? Their backgrounds and policies were almost identical, they were just from different parts of the country, and, of course, Quayle was much younger. But Quayle had no "constituency"; Poppy plucked him from the obscurity of a rather undistinguished Senate career. Then Quayle rapidly proved himself to be an inarticulate idiot. But their appeal was the same; they both attracted the same type of voter.
What was the difference between Clinton and Gore? They were from the same part of the country and saw eye-to-eye on every single issue of the day. I know it is currently in vogue canonize Al and vilify Bill, but everyone at the time seemed to think Clinton was off his rocker (or crazy like a fox, depending on who was spinning) for picking Gore. By the conventional wisdom they were, except for temperament and dancing ability, practically clones. Remember the "Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn" jokes? Remember the pundits' shock at Clinton's choice? I do.
And what about W and the Dick? Both Texan corporate tools through and through. Remember how Cheney even had to scramble to establish an address in Wyoming so as not to violate the constitutional prohibition on P+VP from the same state? Again, except for temperament and age, have a President and Vice President ever been more alike?
No I think the days of the "pick your complement" VP choice are over. The byword now is "pick your soulmate". And in that regard Dean would be an excellent choice.
June 5, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but I know this will be fodder for Hillary Clinton's supporters like the gotalife, Harriet Christian, et al. to convince themselves that Senator Obama, through Howard Dean “stole” the elections from Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty, Queen of Delusional, Hillary Clinton.
June 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think this argument holds any water. The disaffected Hillary supporters already think the RBC was a setup, so do you think removing Dean was going to dispel that notion?
June 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course not, but this gives them something to point at to reneforce their victimhood.
June 5, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nominees often install their own chairman - Clinton would have kicked Dean out a minute after getting the nomination for example.
June 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know that, but for me it seems Deen is a perfect fit for Obama. If he weren't already the Chair of the DNC I think Obama would make him the Chair.
June 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another good move!
June 5, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great news for us Democrats! The 50 State plan, pushed by Dean, will be our key to success!
June 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
And the hits just keep on comin'!
June 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. Wonder what Paul Begala thinks?
June 5, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
The wonderful thing about Obama as the nominee is that we really don't have to care what Begala and his ilk think, ever again.
June 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's unable to speak at the moment.
He's under sedation after a flock of what can only be described as monkeys came flying out of his ass on Tuesday.
More news as it's available.
June 5, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is great news for us Vermonters! Howard is a great man! So's his very cool wife, who would never where a poly pants suit and is a large animal doctor.
June 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
... whereas her husband's practice is now limited to curing and propagating donkeys.
June 5, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can we send Bill Clinon to her, to have him full Vetted?. Could she snip something that would help keep him on the porch?
June 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was a good Big Dog, albeit sometimes a bit too friendly.
But lately he's been flying into rages; invisible leash needed.
June 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Er, she's an M.D., not a large animal doctor. Except in the sense that humans are large animals.
June 6, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you hear begala last night...still moaning and injecting the clintons value to a VP slot?
June 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama...ready on day one...
June 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude!
Ready before Day One!
June 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ready from birth! The day one of day ones.
June 5, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yay! Second best news of the week.
June 5, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, but really, this is great news for Hillary and Bill, whether they know it or not. :)
June 5, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was kind of hoping he'd be Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he has been something of a magic man at the DNC. So I'll take it.
Perhaps, when Obama is elected he could still take the cabinet pozish, if offered?
June 5, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick. Ass!
Dean is a perfect fit for the DNC, IMHO. He can be Obama's right hand as organizer-in-chief. That his highest and best use.
Can't wait to see the Obama cabinet.
June 5, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definately. I want to see Biden in there. And bring back that foreign-policy expert who was canned after the Hillary-monster comment! More strong women!
June 5, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Samantha Powers. Nobel Laureate.
The man attracts and rewards quality people.
And then, get this, he actually LISTENS to them!
That'll be outstanding after years of ideology driven governance.
June 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops! Screwed the pooch on that one.
Samantha Power. Pulitzer Prize winner.
June 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nobel Laureate? I think you meant Pulitzer Prize Laureate.
June 5, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, YEs, YES!!!
June 5, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stop suggesting we throw away Senate seats by picking Senators to load up a cabinet.
June 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am envisioning a rainbow coalition - literally. I think we will see the Native Americans, Indo-Asians, Asians, obviously Hispanics, Africans, African-Americans and all ethnicities represented at the table. I know he will be only looking for the best and the brightest (the elites), so that they can mold his vision.
I so look forward to a new America.
June 5, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I so look forward to current American reality finally reflected in the new Obama Administration.
June 5, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yesterday he won over AIPAC; went to the Senate Floor and bitch slapped Lieberman; killed Clinton's presidential campaign, and then killed her VP bid with a leak to the WSJ about Bill
Today he changed the DNC fundraising rules; re-appointed Howard Dean, and appointed a minder for him
I haven't even had my second cuppa
The man moves faster than Michael Corleone
June 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh yeah
Raised 2.5 million for the DNC last night in NyC
June 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, yesterday was pretty damn epic, wasn't it?!
June 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
No shit - did we back the right candidate or what?
La lalalalala!
June 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
He makes Machiavelli look glacial.
June 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeedy!!!!! It's a new day in America!!!!
YES! WE! CAN!!! ;)
June 5, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I seriously hope the republicans don't think they can punk him.
OTOH, maybe they should--make them even sorrier for underestimating him.
June 5, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOO HOO!!
Obama has the best judgment, always has, he does everything right, and this is no exception. Dean has done a wonderful job and I hope he stays for a long time!
And I completely agree with NC State Dem above, I can't wait to see Obama's cabinet, I'm sure he will assemble an amazing team.
PS: I'm ready for Samantha Power to come back now!
June 5, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second that. Bring back Samantha Powers.
June 5, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll third that!
What, she said Hillary's team were monsters. I never understood what was so bad about that. If anything it was an understatement.
June 5, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fourth!
[or in Harpo-speak: Honk! Honk! Honk! Honk!]
June 5, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone ...here's to a Howard Dean scream of Joy again! I hope everyone heard it at DNC!
June 5, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn straight! We're now going to OWN the Dean Scream! http://youtube.com/watch?v=KDwODbl3muE&feature=related
June 5, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting... It only occurred to me now that Dean's 50 state strategy was even present in his scream moment, as he roll calls the states.
June 5, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
3 words.
fifty state strategy.
Bye bye DLC.
June 5, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
From here in Colorado, that 50 state strategy looks damn fine indeed.
We're goin' blue baby!
Bob Schaffer is gonna be wearin' his ass for a hat, nicely creased and styled.
Marilyn Musgrave can stay home and spew her homophobic crap to the TV preachers.
Tom Tancredo is retiring to teach Conservative Thought to a broom closet full of wankers at CU.
June 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't call Harold
June 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good move.
Although I did not back Dean in 2004, I like his ideas about party building and outreach.
He's been a great DNC Chair.
June 5, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded. Obama and Dean seem like natural allies, except Obama's able to reach out to those (like me) who detested the Doctor.
June 5, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's moving swiftly to consolidate power. My guess is that in two weeks, the disunity hanging over Democrats heads will be a thing of the past (for a super majority--there will always be dead-enders).
June 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm all for the 50 state strategy. Dean was absolutely right when he said it was insane that we never even bothered to ask half of the country for their vote. Even if a state is beet red, it doesn't hurt to have a few more democrats. Dean's strategy paid off in 2006, and Obama's 50 state voter registration drive is going to redraw the electoral map in November.
June 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It paid off just a few weeks ago in Mississippi....a state that Paul Begala went out of his way to ridicule with respect to Democratic chances.
June 5, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not asking half the country. Sounds like a Big State strategy. Now where have I heard that before? Sounds sooooo familiar. Oh, it'll come to me some day.
June 5, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yay! I'm loving this guy (Obama). Seriously, he's moving quickly and forcefully. Almost as if he had a plan in place. Sort of like that thing that Hillary didn't have when she lost her inevitability campaign. :)
And so far, I strongly support everything he's done. I couldn't be happier. There is a light at the end of the dark, dark, dark tunnel that was the Bush/Cheney administration.
June 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy happy happy happy joy joy joy joy!
June 5, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everytime I think it can't get any better Obama proves me wrong.
I have this perma-smile going on, I'm tearing up, I'm just so damn proud of America right now...
June 5, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could someone clarify:
I thought it was illegal for a campaign to co-ordinate with another group.
Does "installing" someone from your campaing into another orginazation not count as coordinating?
I mean, i'm sure whatever they're doing is perfectly legit, so I'm either confusing the rules or I'm not fully understanding the situation.
June 5, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It depends on what type of "group" it is. I know that campaigns cannot coordinate with 527s - but they seem to coordinate with unions all of the time.
June 5, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're not supposed to coordinate with 527s. This is the DNC -- the Democratic Party.
Howard Dean is my hero.
June 5, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good move, Barack. I always thought Dean's 50-state strategy always fell into the "no-brainer" category. I've also always thought that one of Obama's best qualities has been his appeal to common sense and rejection of sloganeering and spin.
So score one more for common sense.
June 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keeping Howard Dean -- my choice for the nominee in 2004 -- on as the DNC head is just the latest manifestation of Barack Obama's sound, smart judgment and leadership. This is GREAT news.
June 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correction:
THIS IS GREAT NEWS!! FOR AMERICA!!!
June 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for the "correction"! : - ) And -- Hear, hear!
June 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this! Obama calling the shots. It's not just about winning, it's winning right.
June 5, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you Howard Dean for the 50-state strategy! We're going to turn your vision into REALITY!!!
June 5, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very smart-
Dean is a great asset!
remember he and Trippi, were the first to use the net
as well as pushed to reshape politics as we now know.
Excellent!
June 5, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is excellent news, and a good reminder that if Hillary had won, Dean would be cleaning out his desk right now.
June 5, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correction: THIS IS NOT EXCELLENT NEWS!!! FOR HILLARY!!! (Apologies to Idiotic, and thanks for nisleib for the concept)
June 5, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
To be replaced by Mark Penn, probably
June 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn you, I just barfed in my mouth.
June 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude!
You just harshed my mellow!
June 5, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
What was the leak to the WSJ about Bill?
(I've been out of internet reach for awhile)
June 5, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
That Bill would need to disclose all of his financial info. including who helped pay for his library.
June 5, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think we're going to find that, although he doesn't have the classical executive resume, Obama has an excellent, decisive executive style.
June 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhh, the joys of a trolless thread.
June 5, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes.
June 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boy they really have STFU haven't they?
I feel for them. Dems have been on the losing end of the stick for so long.
After Saturday, the blessed era Clintonian Silencio begins...
June 5, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Next:
The hissy-fit from the neocon trolls have yet to reach their feverish pitch. That's fine, we'll have all the more fun taking them on. Especially, now that Obama and his campaign have been unleashed.
June 5, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone else get the feeling that The Honorable Ms. Wasserman-Schultz may have gotten a brief phone call from Camp Obama last night?
June 5, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or camp Clinton . . . everybody seems to think the dynamics of the petition were terrible for her if she really wanted the VP job. Maybe they figured that out after Mark Penn left the room.
June 5, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
btw - In the NYT:
Obama will announce today that the D.N.C. will no longer accept contributions from federal lobbyists or political action committees, following the rules he established for his own campaign last year.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/obama-camp-sets-new-money-guidelines/
June 5, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barackarate! Master builds his army!
June 5, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
BarAkido
June 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I give Dean some credit too, for being willing to stay on in what is often a thankless job.
When's the last time, by the way, that we saw a major presidential candidate as secure and comfortable in his own skin as Obama? He knows how to take everything in hand without being a control freak, and how to put the right people in charge and then trust them- even if they have an independent base and aren't necessarily his cronies. Everything that makes a good executive.
June 5, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
His campaign is further evidence: beat the prohibitive favorite, and end up with money on hand and a unprecedently long lists of contributors and volunteers.
If the absence of trolls leaves you with a schadenfreude deficit, watch Jon Stewart's tape last night of pundits declaring pre-Iowa that Obama had no chance.
June 5, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great move, the 50 State Strategy is exactly what we need right now!
June 5, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been with this guy since he had nothing but an exploratory committee - in January of '07 - yet he keeps surprising me, keeps impressing me. He is going to be an amazing president. Epic! Legendary!!
(OK, hyperbole over - but, damn, he's good!)
June 5, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I went online to the DNC last night and gave $50 and marked in the comment area that it was for the 50 State strategy.
What do you guys think of it as a fundraising slogan for the DNC?
50 bucks for 50 states!
Fight everywhere.
June 5, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I went online to the DNC last night and gave $50 and marked in the comment area that it was for the 50 State strategy.
What do you guys think of it as a fundraising slogan for the DNC?
50 bucks for 50 states!
Fight everywhere.
June 5, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
We are so on our way to the White House!!
June 5, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn Movable Type. Despite the doulble posts, I only gave $50.
June 5, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
with an anti-iraq-war candidate, an anti-iraq-war speaker, and an anti-iraq-war DNC head, maybe we can credibly make the argument that we as a party lost our minds in '03, but have since regained our sanity, indicated by our new, enlightened leadership. anyway, it's gratifying that those who were right have taken over the party.
June 5, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's like a great, big, f'ing, oceanliner trying to change course. We're getting there...
June 5, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another thing about keeping Dean. Dean let HRC continue to push her case to have Florida and Michigan seated. Dean didn't step in early to squash the idea, agreeing to let it play out in a fair process.
That Obama supports Dean in the DNC says that Obama supports giving both sides a chance to have their case heard, even if it suggests a lack of control and even if it means putting your own position in a bit of jeopardy.
June 5, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or perhaps it means that Dean did not have the power THEN because he was surrounded by Clinton people so he had no choice and was UNABLe to force the issue.
NOW, he may have the clout to, since Obama supporters will be moving out those Clinton people.
June 5, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Separately, the DNC let it be known this morning that it will no longer be taking donations from federal lobbyists or PACs --
PLEASE DONATE if you can. I know times are tough all around, but this is such an opportunity to take back control of our country, and a major first step. I know the DNC needs money.
On to November :)
June 5, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for Dean. Good on Obama.
June 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It consolidates Sen Obama's power. Very smart. Banning contributions by lobbyists to the DNC: brilliant, not only for its ethics, but it also undercuts McThuseleh's "political reformer" meme.
June 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not just a 50-state strategy anymore, it's a 50-state party! We've got something going folks, keep the pedal to the metal.
June 5, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just gave them my $50 for 50 states. Great idea.
June 5, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you!!!
June 5, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is hillarious.lmao
June 5, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
The following vision just popped into my head, and has given me great joy, so I decided to share it with you:
The time: Evening, November 4, 2008.
The place: MSNBC studios, DNC headquarters, my living room.
The cast: Chris Matthews, Howard Dean, me.
CM: We're joined now by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. Thanks for joining us, Chairman.
HD: My pleasure, Chris; thank you for having me.
CM: Well, congratulations, Chairman, on an astounding victory. Why don't you tell us what went into this campaign, to make it what it was? How did it end up with this big win tonight?
HD: Thank you Chris. I'll answer those questions, but please, may I first say one thing?
CM: Of course, go ahead.
HD: Thank you. YEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGH!
Me: YEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGH!
June 5, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for that Zell. Dean was the first politician I ever got interested in enough to go out and volunteer. I have been so impressed with him since 2003.
June 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this so much I finally registered so I could reply. I would love to see that happen! I was a huge Dean supporter, he was the first politician I ever gave money to or caucused for.
I say keep Dean where he is, he's obviously doing great things. And I'll be donating my $50 tonight, that's a great idea!
June 5, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone noticed how similar Obama's campaign for all delegates, small caucus delegates as well as big primary delegates, is to Dean's 50 state strategy? I say Dean for VP.
June 5, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I say leave the good Dr. in place to continue healing the party.
June 5, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chairman Dean is the shit.He's the very soul of this party.Obama knows Dean's helping rebuild the party, he's showing good judgment and respect for Dr. Dean. Great move, Yes We Can!
June 5, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton 17,802,300
Obama 17,501,751
Someone should ask Hillary who should be the chair afterall she received more viotes than Oilbama. Dean did do a good job of sliming Hillary and stealing the election for Oilbama, I guess he deserves some credit for the nomination of the limpwristed unelectable one.
June 5, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your tears are so sweet!
Another bowl please.
June 5, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, no one in Michigan voted for Obama. Sure. Oh, and no one voted for anyone in caucuses either. HRC lost by 4% of the Pledged Delegates and a wide margin of the Supers. It was not actually all that close.
June 5, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
To donate, making it easier here:
https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/joincampaign
June 5, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much is one legally allowed to donate to the DNC, and does it matter if you've already donated to Obama directly (both Primary and General)?
June 5, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad Obama is keeping Dean as they have a similar vision of grassroots politics. But let's face it. Dean stumbled on the whole MI and FL issue. Two times: first in allowing to situation to develop in the first place, and second, in not coming up sooner with some kind of revote scheme that would have worked in both states. Both of the two steps, if taken early enough, would have avoided the donnybrook RBC meeting, and generating a whole lot of negative energy between the two campaigns.
I sensed a fair amount of buck passing by Dean during the campaign saying it was up to the states to find a revote solution. Fair enough. But they needed guidance and support from the DNC, and I am not sure they got it, or enough of it. I think a lot of it had to do with...surprise?....money.
Here is what I see though: as soon as the convention nominates Obama, he is going to move to seat the whole delegation from the two states at full strength. At that time I would agree that everyone will have learned something. I cannot imagine any state in the future wanting to repeat this year's epxerience.
However, I am convinced he will not do that until he actually gets the nomination. Until then, he might be a tad foolish to do it, if you get my drift.
June 5, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just because there weren't press releases, it doesn't mean Dean wasn't working on the problem. Yes, MI/FL were a mess, but as chairperson I think he did the right thing by not weighing in publicly (which would've been widely decried as him showing favoritism). And don't forget, while FL and MI were bickering, he was securing seats for Dems in congress
June 5, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
In part MI/FL may have been in part a test of Dean's strength. MI had tried to do the same thing in 2004, but McAuliffe said no, and they relented. They thought they could roll Dean.
June 5, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
An individual can give up to $28,000 to the National Committee on top of $2300 to a candidate. Here's the FEC guidelines:
http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/contriblimits.shtml
June 5, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would like to say "Thank You" Howard Dean!
A man who made all things possible. Howard work diligently and thoughtfully to clean up congress - and you just CANNOT put a price on that achievement.
Howard Dean did not have to president to lead a nation - but lead he most certainly did.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Howard Dean.
June 5, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, the Clinton supporters still can't seem to count. The final results show Obama getting more then 155,000 votes then Clinton.
June 5, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I salute Howard Dean. His strategy will change the political map and leave the Republicans in disarray. And I salute Barack Obama for putting the strategy into play and for recognizing and rewarding its architect. Dean took a lot of hell for his plan, but he's been vindicated, in my opinion. Onward to the White House.
June 5, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the most unfortunate excesses of the HRC true believer mob has been their slandering of Howard Dean, especially in recent weeks. It has really sickened me to read the vile and venomous crap they spewed against him. I hope when they stop frothing at the mouth they will snap out of it and realize that this guy has done a masterful job of strengthening and reinventing the national party.
Obama knows the score. So nice to see this vindication of Howard Dean, a truly dedicated and progressive Democratic leader!
June 5, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
HD is the father of the 50 state strategy and BO is now the godfather because he tweaked it a bit and made it viable.
But remember this one thing, the 50 state strategy was born out of necessity. HD in 2004, like BO, couldnt run the normal campaign because he, like BO were running up against the establishment candidates in Kerry and Hillary who both had a lock on the normal Dem "big states strategy." Plus HD, like BO, didnt have the money to compete, so they had no choice but to try and create a new map.
Yes, HD lay the foundation, and BO is now building a new party on it.
June 5, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. I find it telling that some seem surprised by this harmony of Dean and Obama as far as the party is concerned. You lay out why they are not working at all across purposes, but rather reenforcing each others goals.
June 5, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I said it months ago, Obama's campaign is Dean 2.0.
June 5, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is another sign we are going future, leaving past behind. Love, love ,love this!
Think Lanny & friends!
June 5, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll parrot the others.
Dean would be great as VP, but it's not helpful towards victory. He can serve Obama and the rest of us much better where he is if only he's willing to stay.
Vermont has few electoral voters and is likely to go blue anyway. New England in general doesn't help regionally.
Richardson, Napolitano, or Sebelius would be better for the sake of voting blocs and geographic diversity as well as more electoral vote firepower.
June 5, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dean at the DNC and Obama running his 50-state presidential campaign is a great combination. Dean is far more valuable as a party organizer than he would be as a VP candidate.
June 5, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely leave him as chair. The federal government needs more than just a president to operate, and the 50 state strategy and the netroots are Where It's At, babee. And Obama knows this. How cool is that?
I *love* Howard Dean, and I hated what the media did to his aspirations by editing The Scream the way they did. (Oddly enough they seem to like Obama even more than they hate Hillary. Should I be worried?)
Being a Deaniac and protesting the war in 2003 got me into these political blogs (esp. DailyKos) in the first place. I could not be happier to see the the DLC in eclipse! YEEARRGGGGHHHH!
June 5, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll parrot the others.
Dean would be great as VP, but it's not helpful towards victory. He can serve Obama and the rest of us much better where he is if only he's willing to stay.
Vermont has few electoral voters and is likely to go blue anyway. New England in general doesn't help regionally.
Richardson, Napolitano, or Sebelius would be better for the sake of voting blocs and geographic diversity as well as more electoral vote firepower.
June 6, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink