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Howard Dean Gets His Due
It has been reported today that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will stay on as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
I personally think this is the best news of the day.
I know many people don't like Howard Dean. I also know that he was often excoriated - especially on these pages - for his hands-off style during this year's Democratic Presidential primary.
However, there are many things you absolutely cannot deny about Dean's tenure.
For the first time in years, Democrats have a national brand that has been defined by Democrats, not Republican propaganda.
We have strong state parties in virtually every state - a direct result of Dean implementing his 50-state strategy.
We've won Congressional seats that, even two years ago, were hopelessly unavailable. Illinois' 14th - Dennis Hastert's old seat? Mississippi's 1st? Louisiana's 6th? Those are AMAZING pickups.
Compare where we were in 2004, near the end of Terry "Rumrunner" McAuliffe's tenure as chairman. Democrats were in permanent minority status in Congress. We'd just gotten rolled in the Presidential election. Morale at the grassroots level was low.
Now look at where we are, just four short years later. We have control of Congress, which is projected to grow to near-supermajority status this November. We are picking up ruby-red seats. We have a 50-state grassroots program that helped turn out 36 MILLION voters - for a primary!
As for those who would criticize Dean not stepping in earlier during the primary season, I submit that he really didn't have much choice. There were two candidates who were forces of nature battling closely for months. The only way Dean's voice could be influential was as a non-partisan call for unity - which could only happen after one of our great candidates collected enough delegates to claim "presumptive nominee" status.
Yes, Dean is unconventional. He'll always be known as "Screamin' Dean". However, I submit that the Democratic renaissance we currently enjoy didn't start with Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Howard Dean was the architect and the catalyst.
One could argue that Dean is the beneficiary of a political cycle and an incompetent Republican administration. But you can't benefit from a positive political environment if you don't build the proper organizational infrastructure first.
Dean's earned another stay at the reins of the DNC. Here's hoping his next four years go half as well as his first four.
Comments (38)
Agreed.
'commended.
June 5, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
There was a method to his madness. And it has worked.
June 5, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hear, here
June 5, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard should go....has been a failure.
June 5, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, if you are a Republican.
June 6, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree and while it seemed outrageous and rather futile at the time, I think his 50-state strategy (that and a candidate that believed in it) may be the thing that stopped our party from just ... well, drifting away. I'm very glad that his hard work has been recognized and respected by Obama. -
Say, isn't John Kerry responsible for getting Dean into that position? Just as he's responsible for bringing Barack Obama to national attention? Damn! I know it's not a popular sentiment, but I will always regret that we didn't get to find out what a President Kerry would have done.
June 5, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's more popular than you might think.
When Kerry stumped for Obama, he frequently got comments like, "I wish you'd won." Had he been more forceful in pushing back on the slander, he might well have won.
June 5, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
sometimes god blasts us out of where we are to get us to a better place (borrwed from Jill Connor Browne).
which would you rather? kerry running for re-election with a massively bitter gop or having Obama now with a gop in disarray?
and last question: Who is the one who is finally putting the breaks on Lieberweinie?
June 5, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's see, with Kerry in the White House, no John Robers, no Alito. Hands down, Kerry in the White House.
June 5, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Point well taken. I was crushed, beyond crushed when Bush beat Kerry - I'd deeply admired Kerry since the 60s and, most of all, couldn't believe my country would re-elect Bush!! I have to admit that all of this with Obama has gone a long way toward starting to heal that wound.
June 5, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dr. Dean rules.
June 5, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so happy to see Howard vindicated and honored in this way. He took so much shit from the DLC about his 50-state strategy. Obama remembers his friends.
June 5, 2008 7:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a case of competence truimphs loyalty, which is making a refreshing comeback in politics.
His idea though long-term and painstaking, a 50-state strategy is making sure DNC has a built-in on-ground operation in reddest of states-so if GOP breaks they're their to replace.
Obama is by far the best democratic party has produced in years.
June 5, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama is by far the best democratic party has produced in years."
Agreed. He'll wipe the floor with McCain. Jack Cafferty said on CNN tonight, "Barack Obama has been campaigning partly on the notion that lobbyists and special interests have far too much influence in our government, and he's promised to end it. Now, only 48 hours after getting the nomination, he makes good on his promise. How refreshing."
How refreshing indeed.
June 5, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was sad that Dean didn't make it in 2000, but when the DNC situation came up I knew that there could not have been a better fit for him than to help transform the party.
Without fixing our party machine first, we would not be where we are now.
In '06 we were in play in places like Nebraska for goodness sake. yeah, the mark foley situation put the races into high gear, but even with Rahm recruiting across the country, there would have been no worker bees to get many of these races off the ground.
So thank you Dr. Dean!
June 5, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Governor Dean is a visionary, a good man. I trust his judgment. He was the trailblazer who made Obama's grassroots campaign possible. I am glad he is staying as head of the DNC.
June 5, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who knew that the Dean Scream speech was about him as the DNC chair? heh heh heh
June 5, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
His 50-state strategy - so successful for Obama AND the DNC - and his innovative explorations into internet communications and fundraising with Democrats have been fundamental soucres of real change for our party. Obama's done amazing things, but Dean set these new standards...to the benefit of us all. Go, Dean!!!!!
June 5, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
mi/fl was a debacle. they are seated 50/50 now after flawed votes. 1/4 votes with campaigning allowed would have been my preference. the ball was dropped and i think he has some responsibility.
June 5, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's over. The decision was made. It sucked, but we're past it. Obama is at Hillary's house as I write this. They're enjoying a whiskey and talking about the future. Let's just let Florida and Michigan be what they are.
June 5, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. Peninsulas. Annoying peninsulas.
June 6, 2008 12:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey!
June 6, 2008 2:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely!
Michigan in particular - I don't trust a state that comes in two parts and isn't an island chain.
June 6, 2008 9:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, at least Michigan isn't located on the Black Sea's lower orifice.
June 6, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
They're island wannabes.
June 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard Dean Gets His Due
Great title.
Dean's the kinda guy that makes you just so damn proud to be a Democrat.
June 5, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard Dean is not a politician. He is smart, sometimes too blunt for the medias taste and always brutally honest. You might agree with him, you might not. But, one thing no one can argue, he is decidedly superior to Terry McAuliffe.
June 5, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, my preference would've been taxing both states 1/2 their voting strength - now, and in 2012 as well. I think that solution would have gotten them to align with the DNC schedule.
But the bottom line is, the states violated the rules and suffered an appropriate punishment. Howard Dean was in no position to publicly force an agreement there, but I have no doubt he was heavily involved with the RBC co-chairs behind the scenes.
June 5, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forgot to click the check box...
This was a reply to storm.
June 5, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great post. As a hard core Deaniac from 2003/4 I love the post. He could've been more of a ball buster, but then again Clinton never would've responded to that either. His 50 state strategy was a winner from day one.
June 6, 2008 12:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm disappointed in one sense; I think he'd make a good VP running mate for Obama.
June 6, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
No way. The Republicans would have screamed "Corrupt Bargain" to the rafters to encourage Clinton supporters that the RBC was rigged against her.
June 6, 2008 1:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
They are going to try to make that point anyway. Did you see McCain's speech Tuesday night?
I think it's more important to get a good, qualified to be president person on the ticket, one who shares Obama's values, than to worry about what the Republicans are going to say.
June 6, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really liked Dean when he was running for president (I'm still pissed about that "screaming" thing, which was basically a media invention, taking their feed directly from his microphone and removing the crowd noise), and I like what he's done since. Like Obama, Dean has a head on his shoulders. He THINKS!
I've been saving all my political donations for Obama this year, but maybe I should send a bit to the DNC now. Unfortunately, I've already spent more than I can really afford, due to this overly-extended primary season.
June 6, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Glad you posted this. Dean has taken a lot of arrows since '04. I suspect that privately even he would acknowledge he has not always exercised his best judgment.
But about his passionate commitment to restoring a strong and effective Democratic party to a position of power and leadership, and his efforts to reduce the party's financial dependency on large, corporate and other special interest donors, no one can seriously question. I like him, I respect him, and I appreciate all he has done and is doing for the party. This Democrat joins in thanking you, Howard Dean.
June 6, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for this, hope EVERYONE reads it, and also hope the Obama money machine will flex its untapped muscle and show the DNC some help.
Can not say enough how $25 here and there to compatible causes can render a much bigger return than giving to one beneficiary.
If just one million of Obama's 1.5 million enthusiastic online contributors e-contributed $25 to the DNC, it would constitute an "instant" advantage over the RNC, bragging up a $20 million war chest, most of which came from members of "The Growth" (scuse me I meant the CLUB for Growth) who are so maxed-out they are paying surrogates to contribute for them.
As the divided Democratic party finds middle ground and heals the rifts, that army of supporters grows, becoming a campaign finance tool of unimagined proportions.
Remember back when the R"s bragged about their fundraising ability among their wealthy base?
None of them have raised the kinds of dollars Obama and Clinton have squeezed from a very bloody turnip.
It is a simple historical anomoly, more like an evolution; the middle class is out-contributing the upper class. Who'd a thunk it..
...democracy is so cool!
June 6, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have liked Dean for years now, too, but with all this mess w/the peninsula states, I have wondered: whose idea was it to deny them their delegates? Presumably, even if it was the rules committee, Dean had a major hand in it. It's hard to avoid hindsight on this one, since things are so different now than they were 6 months ago...but in restrospect, doesn't the idea of withholding the delgates seem like a really dumb one? Did they really think they were going to sail past that one?
It reminds me of disciplining my teenagers - I say, if you do this, I'll make some bad thing happen - and then they do it, and oh sh*t, now I have to make the bad thing happen, and I wish I hadn't said it.
It's great Dean will be around for the next four years, for the reasons stated above, but I'm just surprised he hasn't been hammered more for that decision.
June 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, believe me, Dean has been hammered a great deal in Florida. I get to hear about it from my anguished and irate Clinton-supporting Florida friend, who I am glad to report seems to be feeling favorably towards Obama (much more so than he feels towards Dean, which I am guessing Howard Dean would be pleased to learn, when compared with the reverse scenario).
Dean and the DNC were in a very awkward situation. The DNC clearly was on record in communicating to the state parties that delegates would not be seated in primaries held before the stated date. I don't see how Dean could have taken a position of simply ignoring those statements once they were issued.
Nor do I find fault with issuing such a policy in the first place. Who else but the DNC can be the final arbiter on when and under what circumstances delegates will be counted? That's one of their jobs. Of course state parties don't like being told they can't get their delegates seated if they hold a primary before a specified date.
The situation was further complicated in Florida because it is the state legislature, controlled now by the Republicans, who set the primary date. In choosing to play partisan politics with the date they set, they obviously were trying to sew discord by driving a wedge between the Florida party and Florida Dems in general and the DNC. Dean bore the brunt of the anger that came about because of a decision by the Florida legislature that was entirely out of his hands and out of the hands of both the Florida Democratic party and Democrats in the Florida legislature. Most unfairly so.
In the end, he did the right thing. I never believed for a moment, nor would any sane person, that Dean or any thinking Democrat "wanted" to deny seating any Florida or Michigan delegates but rather felt anguish about a situation that had no resolution even close to ideal.
It was always a matter of whether and how delegates from each state could be seated in a way that was not unfair to any of the candidates and would not create an intolerable precedent for the scheduling of future primary elections.
If you are wondering how Democrats avoid a repeat of this type of scenario in the future caused by partisan Republican state legislatures out to make mischief in ways that should not be available to them (or vice versa), well, I don't know the answer to that, either.
I wish I did. There has to be a better way.
June 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
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