YAY!!! BREAKING: Howard Dean to stay on as DNC chair

[Adelante]

Breaking: Howard Dean To Stay As Chair Of The DNC
By Greg Sargent - June 5, 2008, 11:53AM
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."

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/

[EFerrari]

1. Fantastic!

:woohoo:

[David Zephyr]

97. Hey, sfexpat2000! That's wonderful news.

I always knew that Barack and Howard would work well together. This really cheers my heart.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. Ummmm is Obama able, at this point, to fire him?

I don't think so.

[TheDonkey]

5. at this point I think so

Obama is now the actual head of the party. I am glad Dean is staying on board though. I think he has done an excellent job behind the scenes.

[Cronus Protagonist]

10. I do believe that in fact it is Speaker Pelosi who is head of the party

Her being directly in line for the Presidency and Obama being not more than a presumptive nominee at this time.

[cali]

18. nope. wrong. the presumptive nominee is always considered to

be head of the party. And there are tangible things attached to it, such as the Obama campaign directing the DNC to stop taking lobbyist and PAC money.

[Laelth]

86. I concur with cali.

Pelosi and Reid ran the ship for a few years (since Kerry was the presumptive nominee), but the torch has passed. The Democratic Party is Barack Obama's party now. He's the standard bearer, and if he wanted Dean out, Dean would be out. Of course, Dean has no love for the Clinton's, and Barack Obama's campaign has brought to fruition the 50 state strategy envisioned by Chairman Dean, so there's mutual respect between the two, I believe. I'm glad to hear that Dean will continue in his current role.

-Laelth

[Cronus Protagonist]

107. Who's Cali?

n/t

[blogslut]

6. Chairman is an elected position

The Democratic nominee has sway but it's still an elected position - elected by members of the DNC.

[Jersey Devil]

40. When there is a Dem President the DNC becomes an arm of the White House

I don't know if it is the bylaws or not, but traditionally the Dem president gets the DNC Chairman he wants. It's always been that way.

[cali]

7. um, yes. Obama now controls the DNC. If he didn't want Dean, Dean

would step aside. That simple.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

8. Howard has indicated he will step down if Obama wins

I don't think the nominee has the authority to "force" the DNC Chair to step down, but his/her opinion carries a good deal of weight. The DNC and the campaign MUST work closely from here on out.

[Laelth]

87. I had not heard that, and I am genuinely curious.

Got a link? I'd like to read what Dean said.

-Laelth

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

103. I heard it at a meeting...

Straight from Howard himself. I think it's customary that the President gets to more-or-less name the Chairman of the DNC. He's elected by the membership, of course, but it's typically a pro-forma sort of thing.

Now with the news yesterday, this may be a signal that Obama wants Dean to remain as DNC Chair. Certainly their campaign philosophies are pretty much the same -- be competetive in every state. So we'll find out come late November or early December if Dean is going to stay on.

I hope he does. But on the other hand, maybe he's got his eye on some other challenge.

[Laelth]

109. Interesting. Thanks for the reply. n/t

-Laelth

[democrattotheend]

92. Dean has indicated he won't run for another term regardless

Although I have a coworker who worked with him at the DNC and he thinks he might reconsider if Obama wins.

[Adelante]

102. Good news

Thanks :)

[SteppingRazor]

11. No, not outright, but he could easily have him removed if he wanted it. n/t

[napi21]

14. Probably not, but I know I've heard that if Hillary would have been the Dem

candidate, she would not have wanted Dean to remain as Chair of the DNC. I think that move is actually done when the Chairman's term expires, but the Party leader has a LOT of influence over who's chosen.

I'm really GLAD Barack mentioned this now though. It shows he really is intent on concentrating on growing the Party from the grassroots and not just looking for a "money maker" like Terry McAluffe was.

[Renew Deal]

19. Anything is possible

You know that. Time to spend with family, retirement, whatever.

[HeraldSquare212]

22. Yes. If Obama wanted him gone, he'd be gone.

As Rendell said, You don't negotiate with the Presidential nominee. They get what they want.

[smiley_glad_hands]

70. Yes, Obama could have, like Hilliary would have, fired him.

[JVS]

3. Long live Chairman Dean!

[NJmaverick]

4. I expected this to be the case. Dean has been the best party chair

in many generations.

[Adelante]

13. Absolutely nt

[fishwax]

38. agreed

:applause:

[crickets]

55. Yes he has, by far. -nt

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Yay!!

:bounce:

[flpoljunkie]

12. Excellent news!

[Pisces]

15. Obama is one smart man!!

[Poll_Blind]

16. HA HA! SMMMMACK! I love it! n/t

PB

[me b zola]

74. We have taken back our party!

:toast:

[Renew Deal]

17. I love it!!!!

That makes me so happy. Dean thought he was a goner. :party: :bounce:

[Egnever]

20. And my first hope for an obama administration is confirmed!

One of my biggest reasons for not wanting hillary was the disdain for Dean in her camp. The fact that Obama adheres to the 50 state strategy and clearly has a lot of respect for the good doc was one of the first things that attracted me to him. There has been so much other good stuff that comes with his respect for the doctor that supporting him has been a no brainier.

It is very satisfying though to see one of my initial reasons pan out so quickly. So much more good stuff to come!

[Cha]

90. Dean paved the way and I think Obama is

saying if Dean wants to stay that he(and Democracy) would appreciate him staying.

We'll see what Dean has to say.

I've seen a few things in Obama's campaign that reminds me of Dean's and I love it.

[K Gardner]

21. Fantastic...Obama and Dean will be the dynamic duo on GOTV and fund-raising !

[Tatiana]

23. Yeeeaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhh! Best. Democratic. Team. Ever!!!!! n/t

[Irishonly]

24. Great news n/t

[futureliveshere]

25. As expected.. Both these inspirational leaders have a lot to contribute jointly

Doesn't make sense to remove him at all when his message dovetails so neatly with your own.

[Mabus]

26. And for that I reason, I have just donated to the DNC

:woohoo:

[DinahMoeHum]

27. This "Democracy Bond Holder" says WOOOO HOOOO !!!!!

:kick::woohoo::kick::woohoo::kick:


You can still become one!!!
http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds.html

50-State Strategy, baby !!!
http://www.democrats.org/a/party/a_50_state_strategy/


:kick::woohoo::kick::woohoo::kick:

[redstate_democrat]

62. Oh thanks for this bond holder link.

I just signed up for that.

[Olney Blue]

72. Redstate, where did you get that wonderful Kennedy link?

[curious one]

28. This is great and shows his leadership.

[billyoc]

29. Dems to DLC: DROP DEAD

:rofl:

[Ikonoklast]

30. We Approve Of This.

I Am Using The Royal "We", As Today, I Feel Like A King. Grand News, Indeed.


I was afraid that Gov. Dean might leave, as I was frightened of his replacement being a Clintonista that would politically undermine President Obama at every turn.

[Diane R]

31. I've been hoping this would happen! My sincere thanks to Dr. Dean for the fantastic job he's done.

[caseycoon]

32. YESSSSSS!

Wonderful news!
:toast:

[mystieus]

33. And let's not forget that Clinton absolutely intended to remove Dean if she were nominated

[blonndee]

34. Yay! Howie!!

[cascadiance]

35. Howard Dean becoming head of the DNC had me register as a Dem when that happened!...

Him being kept on is a sign that I will continue to stay within the Democratic Party and fight for change from within...

Though perhaps Obama later might in effect "end" Howard Dean's chairmanship of the DNC by offering him a cabinet position like Health and Human Services? If its a good move for all of us and someone else like Howard Dean is able to step in to the DNC to provide the right leadership, I'm OK with that too.

[PassingFair]

104. "change from within..."

He HAS effected it!

He knew that the people
could bring it about, if
they had a taste of their
power as democrats.

No more control by the DLC!

I make it a point to educate
any Republican in my path that
the DLC has been stripped of
control by this primary.
The fact that I will no longer
have to be an apologist for the
Clintons fills me with JOY!!

[merkins]

36. K&R! Thats Just Great News!

[newmajority]

37. YEEEEAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

Keep doing what you have been doing, Dr. Dean. It's working.

We're taking our country back!

[TornadoTN]

39. Yes! Now, let's really put that 50 State plan into action!

We can do this! I'm energized!

[SeaLyons]

41. Wonders will never cease

[MyNameGoesHere]

42. that's great. I hope he can keep those coffers full. Oh wait.... n/t

[gulfcoastliberal]

43. A joyous k&r to that!

Hopefully the DNC will purge the clintonista dead-enders - for the good of all true dems!

[backscatter712]

44. Excellent choice, Obama!

Dean deserves a huge amount of credit for retaking Congress in 2006, thanks to his 50-State strategy. Obama's very wise to keep him doing what he's doing!

[AtomicKitten]

45. Excellent decision.

[Stephanie]

46. AWESOME!

Damn! I love Obama!

[fishwax]

47. 2008 could well be a historic, sea change election, thanks largely to Dr. Dean and the

50 state strategy.

:yourock:

[BeyondGeography]

48. Kickin' it for the Democratic Party in all 50 states

:kick:

[NorthernSpy]

49. Dean helped to bring our party back from the dead...

The Clintonites were trashing him even after we won the 2006 elections.

Watching that manipulative, destructive, utterly unprincipled faction get slowly pushed out has been one of the few real pleasures of the past four years.

[FatDave]

53. "The Clintonites were trashing him even after we won the 2006 elections."

Not only that, they were trashing him immediately after the 2006 elections. Wasn't Carville calling for his resignation? That's when I completely gave up on the Clintons.

[Cha]

91. It was so obvious they didn't want Dean in the

way of their dlc takeover attempt in 2008.

I have to pinch myself that this is all real..OUCH.

[suffragette]

50. Wonderful news

Dean is the people's DNC Chair.
Keep Dean and keep the 50 state strategy.


:woohoo:

[janet118]

99. People-Powered Howard . . .

was the slogan on one of my favorite campaign buttons. Sigh . . . I was fond of "Give 'em hell, Howard."

[suffragette]

108. Lovely slogans

Both capture his energy well.
It's such wonderful news that he will continue to do his exceptional job at DNC.

And welcome to DU!

:hi:

[kenny blankenship]

51. What I want to know- What I want to know is

How come we took so damn long to get a Howard Dean elevated to the DNC Chair? Why did we ever let ourselves turn away from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party?

Thank You Barack Obama, and Thank YOU, Howard Dean.

[Peace Patriot]

52. This is very , very important news!

It says good things about Obama and his team--that they do not consider a powerful, innovative DNC chairman to be a threat. They recognize and utilize everyone's strengths and talents. They don't want toadies. Obama and his team evidence these qualities anyway--but it's good to have them confirmed, in this even higher stakes situation of the GE. Their qualities of leadership and team work are not hype. They hold up, when put to a test. Is Obama seeking PERSONAL power and domination, or real change--empowering other good people, and citizens in general? He endorsement of Dean speaks well of his own motives.

It also puts the Democratic Party in the strongest possible position for the GE--with a coherent, collaborative strategy between Dean's DNC and the Obama campaign about empowering the American people. And it also insures that Dean's most important innovations--his 50-state strategy (refusing to neglect and abandon Americans in "unimportant" states, and his encouragement of grass roots activism)--will continue far into the future. This is vital to long term reform and restoration of democracy in the U.S. There is nothing more important than an activated citizenry.

Although I have lots of concerns about Obama--on foreign policy, in particular--the biggest difference that I can see, between him and Hillary Clinton/& DLC Democrats in general, and between him and John McBush/Bushites & Bush/Cheney, is that he LISTENS. He may not be the serious reformer that his supporters believe he is--and that Americans need--or he may be too seriously hemmed in, already, by the Corporate Powers, to pursue real reform, but he really does LISTEN and respond--a quality that has been almost entirely absent both in our party leaders, and Bush Junta leaders, for almost a decade. They have been DEAF to the American people--60% of whom opposed the Iraq invasion, for instance, back in Feb. '03 (a fact that has been deep-sixed by the corporate "news" monopolies). Deaf! That is what we have suffered--the DEAFNESS of our leaders--deaf to our collective wisdom about war, deaf to the desires, views and will of the American people on so many issues.

But Obama clearly was LISTENING--in his early and public opposition to the war. He was LISTENING--on the overwhelming desire for change and reform. He has been vague about his plans--and way too U.S. "Manifest Destiny" on foreign policy, for me--but he is at least attuned to the American people, and believes in democracy. His support for Dean adds to the evidence for that. And I am really, really glad to hear it.

[FatDave]

54. I can't help seeing the primary as a battle of DLC vs. Dean's DNC

And this of course is another victory for the side I support.

[workinclasszero]

56. The three Dems I love the most: Obama, Dean and Teddy!

Them plus us will remake this country!!!:patriot:

GOBAMA!!!

[vaberella]

57. I think when we all voted Obama in reality we voted Pelosi

I adore her and everything but man has she gotten play since this drama. She's like VP, without being VP. She's like the head cock and shit. I love her. She's as smart as all of Obama's team put together.

[mzmolly]

58. Ya

hoo!

[MaineDem]

59. At least until January

I don't think Dean will stay on for another term.

[my3boyz]

60. I don't understand? Obama could have selected someone else?

Why? Because he is the nominee?? Glad he decided to keep Dean! Howard Dean rocks! :)

[redstate_democrat]

61. I just donated to the DNC and joined Party Builder.

I feel sort of guilty now because I usually just donate to Barack. I feel like I'm cheating on him. lol! Oh well. I'll donate a little $ to him next week.

[Lugnut]

63. Yeeeaaarrrggghhh!

Howard Dean speaks for me. :D

[lojasmo]

64. Dean saved the party.

[iamthebandfanman]

65. nominee gets to to decide

thats how it works on the state level here in kentucky too. party nominee gets to pick party chair.

glad hes sticking around.

just so howard gets to do something that can benefit us all. hes a smart guy.

[myrna minx]

66. Obama & Dean are a dream team. n/t

[Califooyah Operative]

67. Awesome. nt

[eridani]

68. Does this really mean another four years?

That would be great, but I had heard that Dean was stepping down if a Dem president was elected.

[liberalla]

69. Whooopppeee !!! I'm so excited!

I love it! This is great. Buh bye DLC...

[smiley_glad_hands]

71. K & R for the 50 state strategy. eom

[CesarAugustus2]

73. Great. He deserves it

He lead the party to win in 2006.

[rocktivity]

75. CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

I thought Obama would be an idiot to get rid of him, anyway.

:woohoo:
rocknation

[truthisfreedom]

76. Plus, the DNC is no longer accepting contributions from PACs or lobbiests.

So I just made a fat contribution to them.

[Honeycombe8]

77. Good. The 50-state strategy of Dean's was a winner. He's a good chairman. nt

[1620rock]

78. The people of Michigan will never forgive Dean for stealing our right

to vote. Just one more corrupt politician, and a dumb-ass to boot.

[Honeycombe8]

81. He didn't write the rules. Why do you blame him? Harold Ickes voted to block MI's delegates 100%.

Doesn't make sense to blame Dean. It's sorta .... odd.

Dean's job was only to enforce the rules. He's not even the one who prevented MI's delegates from being seated 100%. It was the committee.

He didn't have the power to forego the 100% punishment, even if he'd wanted to. Only the committee could.

I think there are other reasons some people hold something against Dean. This can't be it. He just flat out isn't the one responsible.

[stillcool]

89. Your own state party

declared your election invalid. Sounds like your beef is with them..or maybe the Democratic Party as a whole? Are you a spokesperson for the people of Michigan?

[Cha]

93. YOu sound like the

"dumbass" 'cause you have no idea what you're talking about. Just some stupid lie you were spoon fed and sucked up like you were hungry for it.

[Cha]

79. So Proud to be the 60th Rec'd~

Dean Baby..:loveya: Deaniac here :patriot: :bounce: :kick: :party:

[bbgrunt]

80. I want the good doctor in the cabinet--but he's done one

hell of a job as chairman. When he lost the nom. in 2004 I didn't realize he was such a fighter and able to transform that institution. But we can all be grateful to him and those who elected him to stare down the DLC.

[Raine]

82. That's TERRIFIC!!!

:applause:

[fadedrose]

83. Wonderful, and we have Obama too!!!! nt

[Blondiegrrl]

84. That makes me very happy. :)

[Colobo]

85. GoDean!

[Muttocracy]

88. yay! 50 state strategy goes forward!

:bounce:

[dkf]

94. Dean as DNC chair was the first chink in the Clinton armor.

Just think of what might have happened had the Clinton's truly controlled the DNC...

It makes the '04 primary all worth it. Funny how that works.

[aaronbees]

95. Dean made the Democratic Party one for the whole country again

A big reason why we're doing so well now! :bounce: Smart move!

[diane in sf]

96. Great! They sent around an email tonight anouncing no more lobbyist donations.

So I made a donation to the DNC and plan to keep donating every month.

[David Zephyr]

98. Big Howard Dean here!

Excellent. Dean is so good at what he does.

I always felt that Howard and Barack would get along swell.

[WillyT]

100. Big K & R !!!

:bounce::kick::bounce:

[OzarkDem]

101. Dean needs a new woman leader at DNC

I've always supported his 50 state strategy, but his judgement lately has been incredibly poor. Taking the Dem party's base of women voters for granted is a serious miscalculation on his part and he needs to take some steps to repair the damage done.

He can start by dumping Brazile and putting a real Democrat in her place. He also needs to have the DNC develop a comprehensive women's issues agenda that isn't restricted to abortion rights. :eyes:

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

105. Not even in office yet

and Obama is making the good moves. Rock on, Obama!

[libodem]

106. I love that man

he speaks for me.