Dean Prepares To Step Down As DNC Chair
After four years at the helm of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean is preparing to relinquish his chairmanship.Dean, who has been serving in the post since 2005, has said in the past that he would serve only one term, though his successful work with the Obama campaign had led some Democrats to wonder whether he would stay on into the next administration. This won't be the case, officials at the DNC confirm. He will serve as chair until his term ends in January. The party will settle on a new head when it hosts a meeting during the week of Obama's inauguration.
Tonight at Manuel's, Jeff R. said he thought David Plouffe would be a good choice. I like that idea, you?
32 Responses to “Dean will not seek another term”
I'm good with that.
He's proven he can handle a massive organization and drive fundraising. Those are definitely things we can use.
Anyone but the spirit of Terry Mac, or some scary DLC creep.
Terry is already haunting the VA voters. God help them.
If Rahm has his way, they will suck the DNC to a dry husk.
We'll have to trust our DNC members to not allow Rahm his way.
When Rahm was picked as COS and Axelroad and Senior Policy Advisor, I started thinking DNC Chair also. It became crystal clear on the 60 Minutes interview this past Sunday when Plouffe said he hopes the legacy of the campaign is Democratic grassroots organization in all 50 states.
Being DNC Chair would allow Plouffe to stay in campaign mode (didn't work so hot when Rove did it inside the WH) and continue building on the Obama campaign's amazing work. Plus, if he's in the DNC, he's got moxy and could stand up to Rahm. Of course, if he's in the DNC, it will be well coordinated with the WH anyway, thus the WH wouldn't want to diminish the DNC.
Stories have been popping up lately about a possible Gingrich Chairmanship at the RNC. If this happens, it will be interesting to see the contrast between the bloviating Gingrich and the unassuming Plouffe. Sort of an old school/new school face off.
Plouffe? No way.
The party needs balance.
I'd like to see Tim Roemer or another moderate step in.
This is a crucial time to not only unite our party, but to keep the coalition together.
Dude. Come on.
WTF...The party IS united. Like I haven't seen in a long, long time. Winning does that.
McCaskill/Plouffe is a winning proposition.
The party might be united today because we just won an election. Wait until the new Congress comes in, then we'll see.
My point is, many of us are excited to have a Democratic President again, as well as control of both chambers of Congress.
Screaming "hey we're united" is easy right now, but talk to me in a few months and we'll see.
uh, why wouldn't we be united?
The Democratic agenda is going to get pushed through like nobody's business.
I guess I don't get the balance part. Obama is not liberal. Rahm is a DLCtype guy. Plouffe I've got no idea about. Balance would be giving the left wing a greater say.
I think the DNC chair needs to be someone independent of Obama.
Having Plouffe heading the DNC just seems like a bad idea to me.
Why wouldn't we be united? Uh, I'm pretty sure we'll see some intra-party battles over spending and other issues.
2006 was the year of the Blue Dog in Congress. 2008 appears to be more of the year of the Progressive Caucus.
Does anyone happen to know the date of the election of the new chair?
I'd like to put something together for the outgoing chairman... who's in?
You know I'm in
Maybe but that's not how it works. POTUS picks DNC Chair, Governor picks DPG Chair, and if you are Mayor Daley, you get to pick everything in Chicago.
And there is a big difference between disagreements and lack of unity, and the DNC chair will have little control over that. The chair needs to be concerned with running the party apparatus (basically campaigning). As such it is a non-ideological position and a suitable heir should be evaluated through that lens only.
There is nothing wrong with this year being the year of the progressive caucus though. THere will likely be some compromise with the Blue Dogs but progressives are probably the largest caucus in the House, if so they should dominate the discussion.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I am trying to ignore the lecture going on right now.
What would we get Dean? Remember in 05 when he came to the A (after winning the southern caucus meeting) he got a lame hat and bag from the DPG.
We have to top that. Maybe like a nice plaque? I'm pretty sure he hasn't received any plaques over the last three years.
Don't worry about Plouffe.
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/..._dnc_chairman.php
Georgia for Democracy gave Dean an awesome T-shirt and bag of stuff when he was here in 2005:
http://www.campaignwindow.com/...38;Fuseaction=Viewphoto
We can put together another cool bag of stuff this time.
"
Plouffe? No way.
The party needs balance.
I'd like to see Tim Roemer or another moderate step in."
You need to look up the polls and see what "moderate" means.
Today's "moderates" are people against the war in Iraq, for single payer universal healthcare, big public investment, tackling climate change, and boosting the minimum wage.
We get enough of the bullshit "center-right country!" meme from the right wing of the GOP party we don't need it from the right wing of the Dem Party.
Zaid,
Um, have you left the UGA Greens yet or are you still a member?
Moderate to you is probably far left to 99.999% of the country.
RuralDem,
Is Obama moderate or left?
RuralDem are you still high on character assassination you sniffed from Saxby Chambliss's behind or are you going to debate the legitimate points?
You're the one that's out of center, not Obama and his team. I'm sorry you don't have much political education and are resorting to childish attacks and idiocy.
This is the unity I was talking about.
On a slight tangent...when I was railing against democracy last Tuesday, this is why. Freedom of speech and open discourse is bad. It clouds the issues.
Zaid,
Since you want it, I'll devote a post to you.
Considering the relentless childish barbs you've thrown over the past few months, you have absolutely no room to be talking.
In fact, your first sentence showcases how much of a hypocrite you are. Crying foul about "childish attacks" and "idiocy" and then doing the same thing is, well, funny.
The fact that you're a member of the Green Party, not a Democrat, is something you have yet to respond to, though it has been mentioned frequently.
Saxby? LOL. Keep trying. Obviously you've failed to read my mentions of Martin and my utmost respect for the guy. Apparently you've failed to read my mentions about how I am not a fan of Saxby.
I think IRE has made the point numerous times that just because you've taken a few political science courses, it certainly does not mean you're an expert, so please, drop that mess.
As far as Obama, I never responded to Jen's question, so, great job jumping the gun.
Try cracking open one of the political science books and read about Congress, especially the different caucuses.
If you seriously believe everyone will be united on everything then, well, my education is not what you need to be concerned with.
It seems to me there should be craploads of young, energetic political hands from the Obama campaign looking to continue building on Dean's successes at the national party.
A person that is focused on the kitchen table and sensible national defense would also be a good person.
Re-built national healthcare (I can't really call it universal, what shall we call it?), a strategic shift of our energy base and an end to the Iraq War are very big things to tackle. If Obama pulls all those off in the first term (or made major headway), I think Dems will sit pretty for a long time.
Bezerko and Rubyduby are in! Sorry for being tardy to this discussion. Plouffe, so far as I know, would be cool.
RD, at one moment you are preaching unity, and the next independence from the overwhelming majority.
You're allowed to change your mind, but those two posts were only 32 minutes apart. Just being contrary isn't helpful for a discussion. Besides, we already have IRE.
That's not nice.
RuralDem,
"As far as Obama, I never responded to Jen's question, so, great job jumping the gun."
An answer would be nice..
"An answer would be nice.."
Sure, and in that case I hope you'll check every post to make sure everyone has answered every question asked of them.
I mean, you will, right?
Anyway, I think Obama is left of center, though he's more moderate than I used to think.
RuralDem,
"Sure, and in that case I hope you'll check every post to make sure everyone has answered every question asked of them."
No need to get defensive. I didn't actually care that you hadn't answered until you pointed it out to Zaid.
"..though he's more moderate than I used to think."
Nice to hear. I agree.