Howard Dean: BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award.

[Phred42]

Howard Dean: BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award.

http://wingsofjustice.com/08/11/woj08046.html

Not only did Howard Dean pave the way for the astonishing campaign of Barack Obama with his 2004 Internet and "meet-up" presidential campaign, but he also paved the way for Obama's electoral landslide with his emphasis, as DNC Chair, on a 50-state strategy.

Dean received a lot of resistance to the concept that Democrats need to compete in every state. In fact -- ironically -- Rahm Emanuel, Obama's newly minted Chief of Staff, and Chuck Schumer so tenaciously opposed Dean's 50-state approach in the 2006 election cycle that they were reportedly barely on speaking terms with Dean. (Emanuel and Schumer headed up the Democratic campaign fundraising and strategy for House and Senate elections, respectively, in 2006.)

But Obama's realignment of the electoral map in 2008, along with many of the Congressional wins in 2006 and 2008, proved that Dean's strategy was right from the get-go. Obama's brilliant campaign team had a foundation to work with, and they rode it to victory.

Dean is stepping down from the DNC post, as is the custom when a new president of one's party comes to power. It is, however, a bit of an irony given that Dean's foresight and pioneering Internet campaign in 2004 planted the seed for the Obama campaign.

more.....

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Excellent!

The Good Doctor is entitled to enormous recognition. I'm really hoping Emmanuel won't block Dean's appointment to HHS (if in fact he's on the short list -- we don't really know at this point). Emmanuel is a petty, vindictive person and I trust him as much as I do Bush. On the positive side, Obama is capable of independent thought and, if he chooses, can override Emmanuel. Dean has EARNED a cabinet post and I'll be VERY disappointed if he's not given one.

[mdmc]

2. kick

[lame54]

3. And since Rahm doesn't like him...

he probably won't get a job in the administration

unfair and a waste