Dean steps out of DNC race; Ellison says he may leave seat

[WhiteTara]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dean-steps-out-of-dnc-race-ellison-says-he-may-leave-seat/2016/12/02/2ebf0d0e-b8ec-11e6-939c-91749443c5e5_story.html?utm_term=.7cf8b206c855

ENVER — Howard Dean took himself out of the race to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Friday, while the frontrunner in the contest, Rep. Keith Ellison, said he may leave his Minnesota congressional seat to serve in the position.

The two dramatic announcements came during the first public forum in the race to lead the DNC after Democrats lost the White House in November’s election. Ellison, a supporter of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary, has the backing of much of the party’s liberal wing and that of incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Ellison is one of two Muslim members of Congress. Critics have zeroed in on some of his past statements about Israel and questioned whether he could do the grueling DNC job while serving in the House.

At a forum Friday before state party chairs in Denver, Ellison said he thought some prior DNC chairs who were elected officials had done well but that he’s heard concerns about the need to do it as his sole job.

“Though I love being in Congress because it allows me to serve my neighbors, I do think that it is more important to build, strengthen the DNC,” Ellison said, adding that he’ll continue to think about whether to stay in the House.

Dean, who was previously elected DNC chair after his unsuccessful 2004 bid for the party’s presidential nomination, announced he’d run again for the position days after last month’s election, in which Democrat Hillary Clinton lost to Republican Donald Trump. He made his surprise announcement of withdrawal from the contest in a videotaped message to the Denver meeting of Democratic state party chairs.

[whathehell]

1. Huh...I wonder why he dropped out?

He seemed to have a lot of support, at least to me.

[samir.g]

2. Ellison will do great

[BlueMTexpat]

3. Oh no! Dean is the only

one I have seen who really understands what needs to be done.

This was a BIG mistake.

[WhiteTara]

4. Out with the old and in with the new.

This generation is being swept aside to make way for the next. Dean is gracious.

[BlueMTexpat]

10. He was more likely forced out

by too many who have not been Democrats and supported Dem causes all their lives.

If the "new" means that women, minorities and all of us who are the traditional Dem bedrock and who voted by more than 2.5 million MORE votes for Hillary in 2016 are being set aside to appeal to majority white voters who have not supported Dem candidates since the Reagan era, the Dem party will be the loser.

But what do I care? I can always opt to remain abroad full-time. The rest of you will have to live with the consequences.

[WhiteTara]

11. Where are you? I'd like to come too!

[BlueMTexpat]

12. Right now I'm in MD, USA!

But I live most of the time in Switzerland, in the Greater Geneva area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Gen%C3%A8ve), I am not sure whether the link will work; the French accent grave over the "e" apparently translates into gibberish in the url.

In any event, those who really wanted "new" should have encouraged Martin O'Malley to stay in the running. O'Malley understands what Dean was doing much better than Ellison does. But MOM was forced out early on. Like Dean, MOM was gracious about it, but it was clear that he was warned off by some who likely have never been lifelong Dems and think that their way is the only way.

Anyway, we shall see what we shall see. But whoever takes over the reins had better implement the 50-state strategy as Dean did - and keep it running EVERY SINGLE YEAR to rebuild the state networks Dean worked with. This gearing up only for Presidential elections once every four years is disastrous. This requires real work - full-time - and someone with real commitment to it, not a dilettante who seemingly has "progressive" credentials.

[spooky3]

5. I'm disappointed because he did a great job, IMHO.

[PatsFan87]

6. I am supporting Keith Ellison but I do think it is a good idea

that the DNC chair position be his sole focus if he were to win the position.

[WhiteTara]

7. Looks like he will leave Congress to do this.

I don't know if I'm excited about losing another voice in Congress, but he does have to spend 24 hours a day to do the DNC job.

[Thor_MN]

8. My district would not elect a republic representative...

I'd prefer to keep Keith to ourselves, but if need be, we will hold a special election to elect another Democratic representative.

[WhiteTara]

9. Glad to hear that.

I know we are in the minority, but every vote counts.