Just heard Dean won't try for the DNC chair.

[madfloridian]

No real details...he apparently said it while speaking at Yale tonight.

Reason...he would not have a good chance. Already know that, though, with the selection of Reid, and Kerry's getting Pelosi to switch from Dean to Vilsack already.

We will just work with DFA and donate to them. They are going to the right, that is all there is to it.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

1. Why doesn't he go for it anyway?

Would it cost too much?

Dammit.

[mitchtv]

3. Now, he can run for President

Good

[madfloridian]

4. Heard he said it would demoralize a lot of those who supported him.

But the problem is that it has already. It is an indication of the way the party is going to go.

He is afraid to try and lose from what I gather...rather keep a lot of the base on board.

[Warpy]

The real reason is the way the DLC/ New Democrats

are at most levels of the party these days. He knew damned well he wouldn't be able to do anything while these people were still at the center of party power.

While I'm disappointed that he won't give himself the chance to try to clean house, I do understand it.

I guess we'll have the same old conservative hacks ruining the party and losing elections for the foreseeable future.

[Rose Siding]

59. How WEIRD is that?

He's concerned about demoralizing us? Wow. He's exactly right, of course.

[GRLMGC]

2. Lame

that really sucks. We needed someone like him. He's a great spokesman.

[iamjoy]

9. He'll Be One Any Way

I mean, I think it stinks, we needed him in a prime spot.

Yeah, we're going right. Fools. What, was Brad Carson too liberal and that's why he lost in Oklahoma? We do not need to move right, we need to stay left but redefine morality. Reid as Minority Leader - please, Snowe has a better rating from NARAL!

[DaveinMD]

23. Snowe

is from Maine. People need to get elected. Reid is a decent man. If you don't give people leeway on certain issues based on where they are from, you will wind up with a PERMANENT super minority. We'd hold maybe 25 Senate seats.

[Warpy]

25. Our rights are not negotiable

People who think they are are part of the problem with the Democratic Party.

[DaveinMD]

28. Then you have no understanding of politics

Reid is not advocating the overturning of Roe. Never has. He's doing what he needs to do to survive politically in that state. And of course, it would be so much better if was 100 percent on every issue we care about and he lost to someone who will vote to confirm extreme right wing judges. That makes great sense.

[Warpy]

29. Then YOU have no understanding of RIGHTS

[DaveinMD]

35. your purity test

will lead to the loss of right a lot sooner. In fact, elected the Sen. Reid and Nelson's of the world keep us from losing those rights. And don't lecture me about rights. I've been doing work for NARAL for years.

[Bush was AWOL]

70. You keep fighting for every right

and abandon Democrats for more liberal parties and soon all your rights will be gone. Right now this is a conservative country overall. If you can't see that then you must live in a city in a blue state. Moving to the left is not the answer.

[Guaranteed]

116. Uh...NEWSFLASH- the Dems ARE giving up our rights!

You're apparently supporting them in doing so!

[Bush was AWOL]

122. Like what?

[DaveinMD]

5. Vilsack

is not a move to the right. Why are people hung up on the ideology for the Party chair. It makes no sense.

[madfloridian]

8. Not ideology for party chair. Just ideology in general. The damn war!

It just shows the tilt of the leaders again.

This damn war is wrong, we should not be there. I could go on and on, but now maybe he can build with others who think the party has sold out. I would rather have not run for DNC anyway....he once said it is a thankless job.

[DaveinMD]

10. what does

Vilsack have to do with the war. I think Dean would make a good party chair. But I also think he can do a ton of good outside the party structure. Vilsack could be a good party chair.

[Eric J in MN]

6. Vilsack= more of the same

Kerry's choice of Bob Shrum as campaign adviser didn't go so well.

Why do the Democrats have to do what Kerry says re the DNC chair?

2000, 2002, 2004, have all gone badly for the Democrats.

Time for a new approach.

Time for Howard Dean as DNC Chair.

[Kahuna]

32. You got that right. Vilsack will be a disaster IMHO... For one thing..

he will see to it that IA retains it's "right" to deliver loser candidates for us in the presidential primary season. :puke:

[andyhappy]

7. TOTALLY LAME

the demos just dont get it...moving further to the right is suicide.

its like trading shaq after you lose the finals.

you think the lakers have a chance in hell at getting back ther with out him?

(sorry for the sports analogy)

[DaveinMD]

11. how have we moved to the right

Vilsack is not conservative. The DNC Chair does not delve into issues. The chair raises money and builds the party.

[madfloridian]

27. Don't be naive, my friend.

Study up on the issues that our Democrats have voted for lately. Learn.

[Cheswick2.0]

36. how have we moved right? voting for IWR, NCLB, Patriot Act, tax cuts

etc etc............
Please, who do you think you are talking to here? We are plenty aware of how the party has moved right.

[eridani]

108. Exactly. And who has been better than Dean--

--at raising money and party building? Especially from new people. Does the DNC really want all of us to go away?

[Mojambo]

12. The die of the party is cast.

Reid, Visack...

I'm not sure I want to be a Democrat anymore.

[DaveinMD]

13. what is wrong with Vilsack

He's a good governor. He won the state for Dems after it had a Repub governor for 12 years. He's a good Democrat. I'm getting sick and tired of people crying when they don't get their way 100 percent.

[arcos]

15. when they don't get 100%?

well... most people here haven't gotten even 1%.

[DaveinMD]

18. that's the way the cookie crumbles

we had primaries earlier this year. If your candidate loses, you get behind the party. We all lost the general election and that hurts all of us. The response of attacking everyone else in the party is childish.

[arcos]

20. ahh, so no complaining is allowed?

No one is allowed to advocate a change? No dissent allowed?

Interesting... I thought that's the way the Bush administration worked.

[DaveinMD]

21. the tenor

is what I'm addressing. People talking about leaving the party over who gets the DNC chair position. Its just silly. I wonder if most of the people here know anything of how the DNC works.

[arcos]

24. I think people have the right to feel bad about it...

And you obviously don't get it... a lot of people are frustrated, as the original post you were replying to expressed... A lot of people here didn't want Reid as minority leader, and they didn't want Vilsack as DNC chair.
I can understand why a lot of people would be frustrated to see that Dean isn't even trying to get the DNC chair because the party's leadership already vetoed him.

[DaveinMD]

31. and no one

has answered what is offensive about Vilsack. Is it that he supported Kerry over Dean? I don't get. He's been a good governor. What's the problem.

[arcos]

34. I personally don't have anything against him...

I think a lot of people wanted Dean to re-energize the party though, and they don't feel Vilsack will be able to acomplish it as well as Dean would have.

[DaveinMD]

43. that's a better argument

instead of the party is turning right nonsense. Vilsack is a good Democrat. Dean can do more good without being hamstrung by the party structure.

I know Howard Dean when my wife ran the Young Dems in Vermont back in the early 90s. He's a good guy. But he's not the end all be all. And people should calm down about this.

[madfloridian]

26. The day they voted for the war, they lost our loyalty. Not a chair thing.

It is about a party that has no soul anymore. We will just work with the progressive groups, and leave the DNC/DLC to you.

No need to be rude to us. There has been enough of that.

[DaveinMD]

30. not rude at all

Many here demand ideological purity on everything. We need to win to get anything good done. Perfect is not the enemy of the good.

[madfloridian]

33. Dave, my friend, wake up.

Stop it. Same song, second verse.....could get better....well you know the rest.

[DaveinMD]

37. whatever

I choose to work to win and I don't want to get into pissing matches with other members of the party. I'd rather fight with Republicans. Have a nice evening.

[JNelson6563]

110. Here's a newsflash for you

Since the Dems have been tripping over themselves to accomodate the trained chimp I haven't sent a penny to the DNC. Capitulation makes me sick. Spinelessness is inexcusable and I have refused to support it.

I guess I will keep my checkbook closed, as I have for some years now. I will keep my $ in the local party where we are progressive and we don't take crap from the Rethugs. Perhaps the national leadership can learn something from us. Oh wait, they aren't interested in learning what we have to teach.....they just want to know how to appease the far right. My bad.

Julie

[Cheswick2.0]

39. we DID all get behind the candidate...how's it working for you? Cause

it's not working so hot for me.

[DaveinMD]

42. we lost

deal with it, get up and start fighting the Republicans again. We've lost elections before and bounced back to win big victories. We need to work together because the Repubs won't make it easy on us.

[Cheswick2.0]

38. he's a manipulative back stabbing DLC party hack

[DaveinMD]

41. based on what

why are you attacking other Democrats. We have enough problems beating Republicans.

[MaineDem]

113. And you say this because...??? (nt)

[NYCGirl]

14. Good. Better to not become just a glorified fundraiser,

which I think the rest of the party would have seen him as.

Let's all work with DFA, back some Dean Dozens candidates for 2006, and get nice and strong for Dr. Dean's 2008 run.

[sangh0]

19. Yep

I don't know why anyone would want Dean to head the DNC except to nueter him

[Voltaire]

16. That is very welcome news

Let the party do what the party normally does and let us get on with the business of taking our country back.

[Forkboy]

17. Probably for the best

It's hard to put out a fire while standing the building that's burning down.

[Mist]

22. I like the idea of Dean being free from the obligations of that position

[Guaranteed]

40. Stupid as FUCK.

FUCK THIS SHIT. I HATE the fucking Democrats.

[DaveinMD]

45. then

I hate you too.

[Guaranteed]

47. That's a real productive gang-mentality you have there.

Can I ask you what's going to be left of the Democratic Party that you actually relate to and give a shit about?

[DaveinMD]

49. how does Vilsack threaten the party

tell me what's so bad about him. He's been a good governor. He's in the mainstream of the party. You folks are getting way too worked up about this.

[madfloridian]

51. Dave, it is not Vilsack...that is not the issue.

Apparently you are not aware of the primary turmoil. I don't want to go there now. A lot here are hurting now, and we don't need that anymore.

It is the party not paying attention to the people. More will be coming out. Ok?

[DaveinMD]

53. the people

voted for other candidates in the primary. I admire your enthusiasm. Many of my friends were dean supporters. I was a Clark guy. The point is there will be other primaries and more importantly general elections to win. Its so ironic, because when I lived in Vermont all the liberal activists hated Dean. He was way too conservative for them.

[Guaranteed]

57. And we just lost yet ANOTHER election with that dumbass attitude. nt

[DaveinMD]

62. what attitude is that

or is all that matter is what the Dean people think. The rest of the voters don't count as the people?

[Guaranteed]

67. The "be more like the Republicans" attitude. The "apologize for being

a Democrat" attitude. The lock our principles in the closet and hunker down until things get better attitude. The hide behind a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts regardless of policy attitude. That LOSING attitude.

[DaveinMD]

69. that's a load of crap

we nominated a liberal candidate. This party needs to have a message that appeals to liberals and moderates. We need a return to populism, not a liberal purity test. Dean would not have fared better. But you think Dean is the only Dem out there. So be it.

[Guaranteed]

73. We nominated a "flip-flopping" candidate that over the past three

years hardly had a single principled leg to stand on, all because of his military service- which, by the way, turned out to be a real great strategy.

[DaveinMD]

80. different people

voted for different people for different reasons. Don't subscribe those reasons to everyone.

[quaker bill]

114. It is as expected.

Ever notice how a cat can do something really stupid, never lose it's composure, and then walk off just as seemingly dignified as ever?

Witness the DLC/DNC, proud denizens of the muddled middle. Having surrendered the majority of votes to the republicans for the last 2 elections, walking off same as they ever were. Can't you just hear it:

"nothing to see here folks, move on"

"if we keep doing the same stuff, sooner or later it will start working"

"Look, 48 percent of the vote is not all that bad, we just need some more swing voters next time"

"We promise, next time you will get a candidate with better hair and a southern accent"

"Next time we will do better on the morals issues"
(as if an illegal war is not a moral issue, just bad foriegn policy)

The answer may be "blowing in the wind", but these guys have the windows closed.

[NYCGirl]

74. We nominated a liberal candidate who kept running away from it.

"We shouldn't be using labels," he said, when the right wing used the "L word" about him.

And, BTW, the last few years have been hardly Kerry's liberal golden years — he left his liberalism behind a while back.

And also, we know that Dean isn't that liberal. And it makes not a bit of difference.

[Guaranteed]

79. But even while Dean "isn't very liberal," he's liberal where it COUNTS-

and he sticks by it. He's not afraid to let people know where he stands.

[DaveinMD]

81. where it counts to you

why should you get to decide what counts for everyone. General Clark has been just as forceful. Maybe he's the only one that can be party chair. Gore has been very forceful. Maybe he's the only one who can be chair. I am very forceful. Maybe I should be party chair. What about you. You seem forceful. Maybe only you can be party chair.

[Guaranteed]

84. I'd definitely go with Gore. Maybe even Clark-

although I'm not as comfortable with him because he was shaky in the run-up to the war.

[Guaranteed]

52. This has NOTHING to do with Vilsack. This has to do with the fact

that we need a change, we need REAL leadership, and we need it NOW, god dammit.

The ONLY person I've seen that has the fucking balls to say and do exactly what needs to be done is Dean. He has the policies, the attitude, the persona that we need. And these DLC fucks are going to CONTINUE to lose election after election for us until Dean and some other new blood are given the chance to steer the party in the right direction.

Vilsack is only relevant in the sense that he's more of the same losing shit.

[DaveinMD]

56. Vilsack is not more of the same

he is not McCauliffe who was just a fundraiser. Vilsack knows how to win elections, because he's done it. DNC chair is not a policy position. The chair position is also constrained. If you want him speaking out, I don't think you want him in that post.

DLC fucks-I guess that includes Clinton. We don't win by telling other Dems to get lost. We win attracting more voters, not less.

[Guaranteed]

61. It IS a speaking position- it's a very high-profile, high-media exposure

position. It's a position where Dean could get out there, organize, make an argument to get back our PRIDE in the very least, and rebuild the party. He'd be in a position to show people that we're not going to tolerate this shit.

[DaveinMD]

64. Vilsack

is a very good speaker. Why is Dean the only person qualified. REally, I like Governor Dean. But he's not the only Democrat in the world.

[Guaranteed]

68. The policy differences! The fact that Dean stands up there and makes

an argument that we can be PROUD of, an argument that we KNOW in our hearts is true.

[DaveinMD]

72. Plenty of Democrats

speak forcefully. Dean is not the only Democrat in the world. I've always been proud to be a Democrat that doesn't take shit and I'll be happy to have Governor Vilsack speak for me. He's been a good governor and he'll be a good chair. Dean is not the only one who can do this job.

[Guaranteed]

75. Vilsack has not proved a damned thing to me.

And if he's DLC you know exactly what he stands for.

[DaveinMD]

83. you don't know a thing about him

and already you cast aspersions. I guess that's because he's not Howard Dean. These attacks on people who give their life to our party sickens me.

[Guaranteed]

85. He's DLC. There's a reason for that.

And he's just more of the same. Why do YOU want MORE OF THE SAME LOSING GARBAGE? You have yet to make one positive argument in favor of Vilsack.

[DaveinMD]

90. oh tell me the reason

Vilsack knows how to win elections. He's done so in a state where Republicans held that position for 12 years before him. He's a good speaker, a good fundraiser and a good compromise candidate. Do you hate President Clinton. He was DLC.

[Guaranteed]

92. Yes, actually, Clinton is more responsible for this crap than anyone.

He conceded a massive amount of party principle.

[eridani]

109. Who the hell has Vilsack brought into the party?

Who has been more visible than Dean in supporting Dem candidates at every level, and in bringing NEW people into the party?

[Justitia]

44. well, here's to all my time & $$$ further outside the party - AGAIN

The democrats in congress are stupid as hell - what is with them and their continued take-down of the most hardworking non-candidate in recent party history?

They are practically telling Dean and progressive dems to just fuck off and disappear forever.

I REALLY hope that the reports of Kerry being instrumental in this decision for Vilsack aren't true - the ONLY reason I gave boatloads of $$$, time and trouble for his freaking campaign were BECAUSE OF DEAN. Dean told me to trust him and I did.

What a bunch of backstabbing bastards.

Enjoy your irrelevance assholes.

[Guaranteed]

46. Fuck the Democrats. Just fuck 'em.

I'm sick of 'em. Stupidest shit ever.

They will NEVER get it, no matter how many elections they lose in a row.

[DaveinMD]

50. what is it we should get

Kerry was more liberal than Dean. Dean even said so himself. Should we get that voters like you need to have 100 percent approval or you are going to leave the party. Politics doesn't work that way and never has. Dean is going to keep working and so should you.

[Guaranteed]

55. It's not about liberalism! It's not about "left" and "right"!! It's

about LEADERSHIP, it's about RIGHT and WRONG, it's about standing up and MAKING A FUCKING ARGUMENT FOR ONCE. It's about not being ashamed for being RIGHT, and letting the world know that we're NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THIS FUCKING BULLSHIT ANYMORE.

Until THAT happens, the Democratics ***WILL*** continue to lose, and lose, and lose.

[DaveinMD]

60. I get the feeling

you don't really understand what the job of the DNC chair is. Dean is in a better position to speak out while not in this role.

[Guaranteed]

63. What you're missing is that the PARTY is in a better position with him

speaking directly FOR them.

THAT'S the issue. Dean needs to be representing the Democrats.

[DaveinMD]

66. he's not the only Democrat

Vilsack is a very good choice. Dean is not the only Democrat and we shouldn't pretend that he is.

[Guaranteed]

71. He's the only one with the courage. He's proved it.

And the DLC whores have proved that they DON'T have it- while they lose election after election.

It's just like the Bush supporters. With all of the bullshit that Bush has put us through, people stick with him??? It's ridiculous!!

[DaveinMD]

76. more bs

Plenty of Dems have courage. The DLC did not run this election or the last one. Kerry was a liberal Dem. Dean is not the only Democrat who can speak for the party. Its insane to suggest he is.

[Guaranteed]

82. What are you talking about? Where are these "plenty of Dems" with the

courage to call the Republicans bigots, like Dean is essentially doing? Where are the Dems with the courage to say that the war was WHOLLY unjustified? Where are the Dems standing up for gay rights and abortion?? Where are the Dems screaming bloody murder over the ridiculous deficit? WHERE are they???

[DaveinMD]

86. all over the place

Even at the height of the war, there were over 20 Dem Senators and over 150 house members who voted against he war. Almost everyone in the party has spoken out against the deficit policies of this President. Most Democrats stand strongly for choice. They are all over the place.

[Guaranteed]

89. If you look closely, you might notice that virtually none of those

who voted against the IWR subscribe to the DLC philosophy. Yet for some reason they bow to it anyway, even knowing that they're a bunch of losers.

[madfloridian]

48. A paragraph from a Kos diary just put up.

Sounds like he knows what will happen if he tries.
Doesn't sound like this person heard he definitely wouldn't. Hard to tell. My feeling is that he probably will not. Ok with me. I think there is no fixing things now.

From Yale tonight:
"Dean didn't say anything too surprising, but I was heartened to hear what he had to say. Basically he confirmed that he was seriously considering a bid for the DNC chair, but doing so would mean no Dean candidacy in 2008. He also said that while he would regret not running later if the party did not improve, if he lost it would be a catastrophe for DFA. This is because 50% of DFA ers are not Democrats and only voted Democrat in the last election because Dean begged them. If Dean was rejected by the party insiders again, there would be no way to reign these supporters back in...."

....but I did hear he said he did not think so. Wait for a news clip....they are all so reliable.

[bemildred]

54. Mr. Dean is far more useful where he is.

He will never get the chair anyway, and deciding about 2008 can wait.
The 2006 congressional and local elections are what ought to be the
present priority, and grass-roots work via DFA is the proper mechanism.

[Justitia]

58. Dean is always very in tune to how so many of us feel

He's right - knowing that these assholes are torpedoing him at every turn makes me want to rip all their heads off, all over again, post primary season. It's very astute of him to not want to showcase their Ides of March like behavior on the party's stage. He's a bigger man than me - lol.

It's just like when he respected us enough collectively not to turn over all our info to the DNC or Kerry campaign. Instead, he showed us all the reasons we should support Kerry and convinced us with the example of his own exuberance for the candidate.

Et tu Kerry???

[Guaranteed]

96. They're gonna get theirs. They ARE getting theirs.

Ever thus to cowardly corporate whores.

[madfloridian]

107. About 50% of DFA are not Democrats. That is an amazing mix.

I know some are Republicans, some were Independents, some were Greens. I think it speaks to character of the man to attract these folks.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

65. I've got to say this is sheer stupidity on the part of the Dems

Even I will save my contributions for DFA and move these candidates along rather than have the party cater to corporatism a bit more.

Dean may not have been my choice for president, but he proved we could raise large sums of money from party activists and be competitive. Even Kerrys owes a great deal of his fundraising prowess to Howard Dean...and I've always maintained that much.

I share your disappointment.

[Teaser]

77. Try and think people.

Think strategically and long term. Dean may be better off working DFA than he ever would have been as head of the DNC. More freedom, and a better chance to build a progressive party.

And, about Vilsack, don't be dumbasses. Just cause Dean may not run does not mean Vilsack is it. Simon Rosenberger, of the New Democrat Network, is an excellent choice, and is personally on good terms with Dean himself. There will be plenty of competition for Vilsack with or without Dean.

Some of you people really know nothing about politics or the DNC. It's so bloody obvious that most of you don't digest anything you read or hear or see. You just react with your brainstem. Try using the cortex once in a while and analyze things. Can't you see that by taking himself off the table for right now, Dean is *strengthening* his/our movement, not weakening it?

[Guaranteed]

87. It's not about Dean. It's about the PARTY. The PARTY NEEDS DEAN. nt

[madfloridian]

88. Quit referring to us as "you people". You do it a lot.

That said, I agree with you in some ways. Hubby and I and our DFA group here would rather he stayed and built it up more.

I did not say Vilsack was it. I never said that. I said Kerry got Pelosi who supported Dean to switch. Dean had the Jacksons, jr. and sr. and I heard Bill Richardson....but I think the persuading will be quite powerful.

AND I would rather you talk to us politely. I have two college degrees, taught for 33 years, I am well-respected in my community, and I feel you are insulting to me and other Dean people.. I won't stand by and take it either.

[Guaranteed]

94. It's not about Dean anyway. People are missing the point that

it's the party that we're trying to save, here.

[madfloridian]

95. Agree, but don't like the poster's tone toward us all the time.

Tired of it, sounds like the party talks to us.

[Justitia]

78. Just wondering - when does Dean say "screw it" and go skiing?

'cuz I would!

It's just like how we all feel about trying to our damnedest to improve the lives of red staters when they continue to vote against us. You know, "let them eat cake" and all?

So when does Dean finally say "screw it - I'm sick and tired of promoting a party and it's candidates that obviously don't want me around."? "Let's go skiing in beautiful Vermont and maybe go back to practicing medicine or even back to the Vermont state house where I was elected FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES."

I mean, who could blame the man?

I feel like the party spits in my face constantly (not the least of the reasons being because I live in TEXAS - might as well be Elba for all the nat'l party cares), and I've never run for office.

Ya know what Howard, you're too good for these losers. As a Jeffersonian Democrat, I say let the party die it's natural death and wait for the reincarnation of a new and better party.

[Guaranteed]

93. That's exactly what I'm thinking right now. Just fuck this.

This is so, so stupid. Unbelievably stupid.

These people are so paralyzed with fear. They're unwilling to take the leadership position they have to and are going to go extinct because of it. And I don't really give a shit anymore.

[Plausible]

97. Republican Lite?

I can easily imagine that someone with Dean's amount of followers could conceivable spin off a new party, a party where Progressives and Independants could feel very home.

[Guaranteed]

98. A party that stands for something. Imagine that. nt

[Cheswick2.0]

102. a party willing to say what it stands for rather than confusing the hell

out of everyone with clever nuance.

[madfloridian]

99. Keep your eyes open.....they are working on it.

:hi:

[Plausible]

105. It would not surprise me

if something like this happens.
Over at cgcs there seems to be quite a bit of unhappiness with the Reid becoming Senate Minority Leader and with Vilsak. I think people are looking for dynamic new leadership.

[ibegurpard]

91. Let the national Party continue to make itself irrelevant

The REAL opportunities lie at the local level. Dean knows that and that is what his organization was founded to help build. We've got to look at this from the long haul perspective. For the short term, the national Party is dead in the water.

[AllyCat]

100. This is a bummer

Dean is perfect for this position and we really need him to shake up this party. Seems instead, the DNC is intent on fading into distant memory while these stupid RR people take over the dang country. That's it. I'm voting Green for the rest of my life.

[madfloridian]

101. Wait, DFA is partnering with some other groups.

I will see if I can find Kevin's post. I think we will see more progress quickly now that the election is over.

[madfloridian]

103. Great paragraph about Yale tonight.

SNIP..." watched Howard dean tonight give a speech at Yale tonight. In a lecture hall that held 200 people, Howard attracted almost 300 people. They were afraid the fire marshall would empty the rrom. The aisles had 2 or more people on each step. The balcony was 3 people deep. And Howard was amazing. His speech made me realize that the most effective place for Howard to focus his attention is on the 2005 cycle. Local races are the place to be. All across the country alderman, first selectmen, mayors, and other local leadership is being selected. This is were we need to focus. With building these local networks we can then influence the 38 govenor elections in 2006. Build the base for we the people have the power...."

And to that blog poster....I say AMEN.

[LoZoccolo]

104. Dean ENABLED the rightward shift!

Why are you going to work with DFA? Dean is a DLC-enabler by stepping aside and not FIGHTING the corporatist move to the right by putting Vilsack in there. Some of us want a REAL Democratic party...it doesn't sound like Dean does to me!

_{NOTE: This entire post is sarcasm, except for this part.}

[madfloridian]

106. You do the best sarcasm.

:evilgrin:

[Julien Sorel]

111. That's showing 'em how to fight, Howard!

[Guaranteed]

115. Maybe he doesn't want YOU to stab him in the back again.

Brutus.

[Julien Sorel]

119. Interesting analogy.

Of course, Caesar had the guts to step up, which put him in a position to be stabbed in the first place -- he didn't go around accusing other people of being spineless and cowardly at every turn, only to slink away as soon as it looked like there was a tough fight on his hands.

[Guaranteed]

121. Yes, he was assassinated. No argument here.

But those who didn't oppose the war, though all KNEW what Bush was doing, are cowards. It was a rallying call. Some just could not face themselves.

[Walt Starr]

112. Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll wait, but if Vilsack is in as DNC chair, I'll go independent as there is no hope for this party.

[candy331]

117. Smart move on his part, The Dr don't need to help the Democrats

continue to take the poision they insist on imbibing till final death. Good, stay out of the death throes Dean.

[Guaranteed]

120. You know, when you put it THAT way...maybe he is doing

the right thing.

[robcon]

118. The idea that the party chairman is crucial...

much less important, is silly IMO.

The party chair is in charge of raising funds, increasing enrollment in the party and speaking to the press.

No politician need apply. An effective manager is all we need.

No ideological criterion should be used for the party chair. The party chair has zero input into the policies of the Democrats who run for office. Zero.

We just need an effective manager, and a pleasing personality for the cable news & Sunday morning shows.

[unfrigginreal]

123. If he wants the job and feels that he would be shutout by the bigwigs

again, then screw the DNC and best of luck to them raising the kind of funds that they saw during this campaign. A lot of Dean inspired donations went to that organization during this past year. I'd prefer to see that money go to DFA anyway. I'm with *you* Doc, whatever you decide.

[DinahMoeHum]

124. If that's the case, then screw the DNC/DLC axis. . .my $$ goes to DFA.

n/t

:kick: