Obama moves DNC operations to Chicago

[ariesgem]

In a major shakeup at the Democratic National Committee -- and a departure from tradition -- large parts of the committee's operations are relocating to Chicago to be fully integrated with the Obama campaign.

The DNC's political department, housed in Washington, D.C., will be dramatically rebuilt, with staffers offered a choice of moving to Chicago, joining state operations, or staying in Washington, DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney said.

But the power will clearly be shifting to a centralized Chicago hub.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"This is part of the implementation of the plans Paul discussed last week with the state party chairs," Finney said. "As part of the efforts to fully integrate DNC operations with the Obama campaign here in Washington, in Chicago and in the states, political, field and constituency operations are moving to Chicago to work in the Obama headquarters. The goal is to consolidate these efforts into one operation and effectively drive one national strategy."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The move reflects Obama's desire to maintain an unusually streamlined campaign, as well as his swift and complete takeover of a Democratic Party that isn't always known for its unity. The move may also save the campaign money, as the Obama campaign can use DNC salaries and staff to pay for elements of its organizing campaign and avoid some of the duplication that has often dogged presidential efforts.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Obama_moves_DNC_operations_to_Chicago.html

[williesgirl]

1. That's what I call leadership! Change, change, change. rec'd

[SeattleGirl]

2. Wow. Good for him!

He's definitely taking the bull by the horns.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. Yep !

He doing a lot of what I wished Gore and Kerry would have done.

[Tinksrival]

19. Your right! Here is TPM's take on it.......

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Obama Taking Over Democratic National Committee Partly To Avoid Kerry's Fate
By Greg Sargent - June 12, 2008, 2:14PM

A Democrat with knowledge of the Obama campaign's rapid takeover of the Democratic National Committee today points out to me that this is partly about ensuring that the Illinois Senator avoids the fate of John Kerry, whose 2004 presidential campaign was hampered by behind-the-scenes battles with the DNC.

You may recall that the DNC chair in 2004 was one Terry McAuliffe, and in his book, McAuliffe wrote about the back-stage infighting between the DNC and Kerry camps. McAuliffe said that Kerry's aides had wanted to oust him; that relations were chilly throughout the campaign; and that the Kerry camp muzzled him when he wanted to assail George W. Bush's military record.

By contrast, upon securing the nomination, Obama very quickly put out a statement showering praise on Howard Dean; is now moving to put staff in all 50-states, in concert with Dean's approach; and is quite literally moving swaths of the DNC to Chicago to create a unified organization with the sort of party-wide message discipline that has eluded Dems in the past.

In the primary, the Obama campaign was famously devoid of (publicly visible) infighting and/or leaking, and clearly, he's taking aggressive steps right now to ensure that this success is duplicated in the general.

[tishaLA]

3. He is really something

He is demonstrating, in almost every move, a kind of vision we have long needed.

[John Q. Citizen]

4. This is smart. It's efficient. and it should keep in fighting to a minimum. The communication will

be much better.

This sounds like Betsy Myers doing is my bet.

[watrwefitinfor]

6. "...his swift and complete takeover..."

Hot Damn! This man doesn't fool around.
Does this mean the DLC is no longer in charge?

:rofl:

Wat

[eShirl]

7. that certainly gets it out of the beltway

[LSparkle]

8. I assume this doesn't affect Dr. Dean's standing ... this is just the political office?

[cali]

11. of course it does. Dean is really nothing but a figurehead now

this is why he won't stay on after his term is over if Obama wins.

[KittyWampus]

12. How exactly is the Chairman a 'figurehead'? Dean said he doesn't want to do the political stuff

Where did you get this about him doing nothing?

Howard Dean will remain as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, an affirmation by Obama of Dean's bottoms-up rebuilding of the party across all 50 states. Still, Obama is installing one of his top strategists, Paul Tewes, to help expand the DNC staff and oversee party operations.

[baldguy]

9. It also means the focus of the national party will be outside of Washington

And hopefully more in touch with the day-to-day realities of life outside the beltway.

[LSparkle]

13. Until the end of the election ... at which point I presume they move back to D.C.

And now I recall hearing that Dean would step down after the election,
so I guess that makes sense. I guess after all the turmoil of this
primary, Dr. Dean has earned a vacation!

[Lisa0825]

15. It was announced this weekend that Dean agreed to a 2nd term. nt

[KittyWampus]

10. Cue snide comments about Chicago politics

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

14. I'd rather cue the weeping of DC consultants...

Your meal ticket went that-a-way!!

[KittyWampus]

18. lol!

[formercia]

16. Minimizing intercepted communications

having everyone in one location cuts down on communications that might be compromised and used against the campaign.

All those bugs for nothing... :rofl:

[Yael]

17. This is a symbolic move as well as a tactical one

It literally moves the Democratic leadership outside of the beltway.

Excellent move!!

:bounce: