Hell freezes over. I agree with Taylor Marsh.

[madfloridian]

I give her kudos for posting this tonight.

Giving Howard Dean His Due

She makes it clear she was never a Deaniac, but I respect her ability to give credit where due.

I wasn't a Deaniac. I know, you're shocked.

I have had the pleasure of meeting him and interviewing him briefly back in Washington, D.C. when Speaker Pelosi took the reigns of the House. Gracious. Charming. Forthright.

But something needs to be said about Dr. Dean and his amazing 50-state strategy. Because without it, Democrats and Barack Obama wouldn't be where we are today. Now, as a caveat, this isn't my strong suit; analyzing national strategies to win elections, that is. I'm the message gal and political strategist, foreign affairs analyst, not the ground game guru. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

She adds:

It's one of those elections where each moment, each part of the campaign built on something that came before. In the end it evolved into a behemoth advantage for our side.

But it all started with Howard Dean. At least that's my take. ...and like I said, I've never been a Deaniac. But give credit where it's due. He quietly built a national infrastructure on which Obama built his machine, helped by Hillary Clinton who made him work it in order to beat her, then move forward to the general election to hand the Republicans the biggest challenge they've had in a very long time.

Meanwhile, McCain dilly dallied, giving Democrats a further advantage.

With the 50-state map that Dean built, Obama and his people ran with it expanding into the most impressive, far reaching, improbably potent campaign apparatus we've seen in several election cycles on the Democratic side. The proof will be born out tomorrow. At least that's how it looks to me.

She is taking some hits in the comments, and I have had things to say often. But it took courage to do this, and I appreciate that she did.

[madfloridian]

1. Wow, board moving fast. Back on page 3 in less than 8 minutes.

So one kick.