It's Obama’s party, but Dean is still playing host
By Steve Benen Thursday Jun 05, 2008 4:00pm
It sometimes goes overlooked, but once a presidential candidate wins a party’s presidential nomination, he or she necessarily becomes head of the party. When John McCain became the GOP nominee, he effectively began to call the shots at the RNC. With Barack Obama having secured the Democratic nomination, the DNC is his to do with as he pleases.
Not surprisingly, with a compressed general-election calendar, Obama’s campaign isn’t wasting any time. This morning, Obama strategist Paul Tewes took up residence at the DNC, brought in to “help manage the transition as the DNC swings into action on behalf of Obama’s general election candidacy, and to help oversee fundraising and other political matters.” Also this morning, on Obama’s instructions, the DNC announced it will no longer accept contributions from federal lobbyists or political action committees, which is consistent with the fundraising guidelines his own campaign follows.
But what about Howard Dean? It wouldn’t be at all unusual for the Democratic nominee to thank the current DNC chair for his hard work, pat him on the back, and offer him a lovely parting gift, while installing a close candidate ally who would make the DNC an extension of the nominee’s campaign. Indeed, that would generally be the norm at this point in the process.
I’m pleased to report, however, that Dean is staying put.
The Obama campaign confirmed today that Howard Dean will remain chairman of the Democratic National Committee, even as Obama puts his own stamp on the DNC.
“Sen. Obama appreciates the hard work that Chairman Dean has done to grow our party at the grass-roots level and looks forward to working with him as the chairman of the Democratic Party as we go forward,” Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.
Dean has shed his lightning rod status in recent years and focused more heavily on building state party organizations — a mission that gave him a base of support in the states and that matches Obama’s plan to use his resources to keep McCain on the defensive in a wide range of states.
Good. With Dean staying right where he is, Dems are better off.
Interestingly, the announcement about Dean’s continued employment coincides with the requests of state party chairs, who’ve grown quite fond of Dean’s bottom-up philosophy. From a report this morning, before the announcement was made:
Obama also likes control, and though Dean has generally avoided being a distraction, he’s not Obama’s guy.
But Dean also has a new base: The state party officials who love his 50 state program, which has given them cash and paid for something like 200 field organizers around the country. They want Dean to stay, and will fight to keep him.
“The Obama campaign is aware of the affection that many state chairs have for Governor Dean,” Brian Melendez, the Minnesota Democratic chairman told me the other day.
Melendez also said he wasn’t sure Dean would want to stay, but he and other chairs would clearly like him to.
Now, everybody’s happy.
It’s worth noting, from time to time, that Dean has been a real success story at the DNC. His 50-state strategy was extremely controversial with the party establishment, and leaders on the Hill have always kept Dean at arm’s length — while keeping a quizzical eye on him.
But Dean’s efforts paid huge dividends in 2006, and he’s well positioned to deliver again in 2008. That the Obama campaign appreciates this is a very good sign.
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Obama is going to reshape this country and the world...I hope!!!
I agree keep dean right where he's at.......let's not slow this down we are on a roll
Agreed. It's Dean who is largely responsible for the success of the "50 state strategy." Go Howard! EEEHaaa!
brilliant
Kudos to Barack and Howard for developing and proving their winning strategy works and that it will send them straight to the White House.
keeping Dean is critical. it was Dean's strategy that brought in 8 progressives out of 9 dem winners in 2006. rahm is still pissed. these two will bring the people's voice to the party again.
Dean is the polar opposite of Joe Leiberman. Loyalty over self aggrandizement. This is good news.
Obama has shown to be bright, savvy guy.
I'm confident of his choices.
We have so much to look forward to getting the stinking republicans out of office.
PS: Al Frankin is having a difficult time in Minnesota, due to the republican slime machine. We have to get the 'cons out of office! In Oregon, republican Gordon Smith is playing ads that say "moderate, independent, bi-partisan"...they are all lies...republican Gordon Smith is a snake!
marko @ 1:
Yer moniker is so short I almost missed yer comment, witnit ;)
"Last word freak." - Melvin Udall
out
;-}
Love the way Barack is stepping out with the decisions--he has a real take-charge aura going. My President!
I like Dean a lot. His strategy of ALL the states instead of just the important states has really resonated with younger democrats.
I think we were all really, really fortunate to get Dean into the DNC. I'm not sure how much longer he wishes to stay, because he's had to work really, really hard for 4 years, but I'm glad he'll stick through for the election.
You know those races recently won by Dems in long-time Repug districts? Is there any chance in the world that would have happened if Dean hadn't made the party active in every state again?
Dean Rocks!!
See ya later I hope CIP :)
Now I'm really out...
;-}
When Dean was elected Chairman of the Party a lot of people, especially from the right, thought it was a huge mistake. Dean has proven to be a very good Chairman. Very good. He understands the importance of the internet and the importance of a 50 state strategy. It is a very wise move to keep him.
Proud2bHumble Hus(in)sein Withalongname Sodontbehatinyashortymonikerwhiners LOL @ 9:
that is one witty face-icon :<[)
Obama's campaign acumen continues to show. Right people, right places.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory @ 16:
don't use my posts to pimp your ghettofabulous handles
konichiwa biches
El Cid @ 12:
it was the best thing the dems did. I'm sure the DLC/DCCC/DSCC thought they were getting him out of the way. but he paved the way for the Dems to start the people's resurrection in 2006. Pelosi and Reid better take notice. Feinstein, Nelson and all the corporatist insiders in the Democratic Party better get it right this time. watch the funding of the DNC skyrocket from the combined efforts of Obama and Dean.
I am looking forward to it.
marko @ 18:
but I'm too handsome to suppress it.
sayonara.
barack ask bush to release crude from the reserves before....mclame does...should will help with demand reduce price at the pump
THANK GOD FOR HOWARD DEAN!!!
When Barack Obama wins the November election in a landslide, the Democratics, Independents, and even Republicans who came to their sense to vote for him, will be indebted to Howard Dean for what he has done to revive the Democratic Party. This is something we will look back on in 20 years or so, and realize how much of a genius he was to pioneer the 50 State Strategy, and move away from the cower in the corner and only focus on the "Blue States" strategy of the Clinton Era - that got us nowhere, as we all know, or at least, didn't work in light of the ironically intimidating behavior of the Republicans. You can't hide from your enemy and accept the status quo. You must fight them on their turf and communicate to them about what you have to offer them, which from the standpoint of lower middle class to poor (mostly white) voters, is a heck of a lot more than the Republicans do. Tax cuts for the rich? No. Tax rebates, attention, benefits, education, and respectful communication to their needs, concerns, and yes, like Jim Webb said, fears and prejudices. Although hard, these issues are capable of being worked out, and the only way to do that, is to strengthen the Democratic Party in Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Virginia, South Carolina, etc, etc, etc.
Go Howard! You deserve a huge standing ovation!!!
Dean's providing sausages.
Alex @ 17:
good plan + good people + motivation = success
Senator Obama understands the saying, If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it.
He's doing things a new way, the intelligent way. Ya gotta love the guy.
22 Not Bill Clinton Says: (He actually achieved something in life)
When Barack Obama wins the November election in a landslide...
In politics, shouldn't that be a mudslide?
Better Title: "It’s Obama’s party, AND Dean will still be playing host
I have always considered myself a "Howard Dean Democrat". I was really sad that he dropped out of the 2004 race because of an enthusiastic hurrah, that got turned against him. To this day, I never understood it.
Nothing makes me happier know that Dean will keep his place.
McNothin' has a lot to worry about.
Yeeee-haaaaaaa!
McCain just announced that he is keeping Dr. Dean at the DNC. He also said he had a secret meeting with Senator Clinton last night. As a follow up, he said his wife has changed her name to Michelle.
pissed off patricia @ 25:
their plans were nearly identical. Grassroots organization and fundraising. keeping in mind that the Dems took 8progressive/9total Dem-won seats in 2006, it was amazing that Dean did it spending only $9Mil. many of the organizations were volunteer and/or self-funded.
Barack's internet campaign was very,very similar to Dean's, but had the added bonus of national exposure, especially because it was announced regularly how successful it was. the primary and obvious difference between the two organizations was the scale. combining strategies will help bring greater funding to the national Dem Party, which will help funnel more money to local elections.
and the 50-state strategy has proven that no state is permanently or indelibly red. the three recent elections where repugs lost in their own strongholds is very telling and very promising.
pissed off patricia @ 25:
That is absolutely correct. The MSM tried everything they could to bring him down. He came back and dealt with it perfectly. The Rev Wright thing is a perfect example. The MSM still is trying to hammer on that but people don't care any more because of the way Obama handled it. He says things the correct way too. He doesn't ever sound abrasive. He has been attacking McLame every time McLobbiest opens his mouth not backing down like Kerry did. Obama's campaign has raised more money than ANYBODY ever thought possible because they figured it out. The thought outside the box. You wait. I think we are going to see something that was thought impossible a couple years ago. Obama winning states that nobody would have thought possible. Of course the Republicans are helping hugely but when the Republicans hand you something Obama is right there to grab it. He has very very intelligent people around him. For me one of the biggest factors with his people are that they are not abrasive. I know I've used that word a few times here but how many times did yoiu see Hillary's people on TV in the past few months and were turned off by her people. Not necessarily her but her people. Obama gets it.
pissed off patricia @ 30:
LOL :<[)
Dean should be the nominee. Actually, he should be the president. We could have had him...instead we got John Kerry. Boy, that was a great move on the part of the dems.
As long as it keeps the Clinton losers like Terry McAuliffe, James Carville, and the dude who ran Algore's campaign into the ground out of the DLC, I am all for it.
WhalersFan @ 11:
I'm proud to say I voted for Doctor Howard Dean in the 2004 primary when he ran for President. He had the unenviable task of running up against the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council) which was so entrenched with old ideas and stupid big-money people they actually worked against him. He was the real maverick them, and they couldn't understand his populist appeal. We're seeing today in Obama what Dean was then. Imagine this country in his hands instead of George Bush.
It feels like Obama has really stepped up to the plate since securing the nomination. He gives me a strong feeling that he really, really knows what he's doing. The Democratic Party hasn't felt this organized and tough in a while. And Obama is very smart to keep Dean where he is. Dean can do the most good for the Democratic Party precisely where he is, and I absolutely love the thought of the two of them working together.
Things are certainly changing, for the better, and the election has just started.
mccain is more bush policy we have to continue this chant this is the one that the gop does not like one bit
Dean's supermajority will be ready on Day 1.
Captain Bitter Elitist Husein Kangaroo @ 32:
barack's people yesterday gave 20+ hillary delegates a lovefest and shocked them. There is no animosity coming from the Obama camp. the hateful hillary hordes are being disarmed, with some exceptions, but not many. this is a major coup against the media-driven stories of the "rift" in the party. Barack will have none of it and THAT just might be the best part of his success, keeping feminists and others from voting against their own best interests as an act of revenge or frustration. Love, indeed, appears to be conquering all.
pissed off patricia @ 30:
Brilliant meme.
Captain Bitter Elitist Husein Kangaroo @ 32:
I agree with you 100%. He kept to the high road at every single turn. He handled it all calmly and with class. He was always considerate but firm.
The media knocked Dr. Dean out, before the public knew what happened. I will never forgive Don Imus for what he said the morning after the Dean "Scream". Imus talked his whole show about how insane Dr. Dean was for that scream. Of course the other talking heads picked it up and before we knew it, Dean had been diagnosed as some sort of nut job. It was a long long time before we heard about the noise in the room that night and the sort of mic that was used.
meanwhile, back at rancho rectum...
bethy @ 37:
i agree you can feel the change...it's a new battle and rules have changed....mccain says he wants to fight clean it's a smoke screen the 527's are going to smear barack he has to fight back......don't fall for this....... i'm to old and above the fighting dirty tactic(s) barack
Senator Obama was right, it is our time and our moment! Can't you just feel it?
I would like to see Dean on the ticket.
pissed off patricia @ 45:
yup.........but be careful the kool-aid is going to be a stronger batch.......this presidency is very important for many reasons....one is... two to three of the u.s. supreme court judge(s) will retire..very soon
Obama and Dean is a REALLY good match-up. They both "get it"
*
Christy Hannity @ 46:
AMEN to that!!
Momkat @ 10:
I'm a fan.
YOU GO BABY!! GIVE 'EM HELL!!
*
That's great news. Howard Dean is a brilliant and articulate person, and I'm sure he will add a lot to this race. Too bad he wasn't involved when lapdog Kerry ran four years ago.
chase32 @ 41:
Did he add " . . . but she's still a c***"?
*
Hulk @ 51:
that was the DLC choice
P-Soul @ 34:
DLC
This *news* is seriously a day old.
Great news! Dean's strategy has paid off. We all have to continue to take the fight to the GOP in all states. Obama is not only running against MCCain, but he also must contend with GOP voter suppression tactics which continue to be exposed. No matter what the polls say, how out of touch McCain seems, or how the media attempts to spin - we should fight as if Obama is always 20 points behind.
Extremely smart move on Obama's part. Howard Dean has emerged as the best media handler for the Democratic party that I've ever seen. He has developed the ability to successfully counter all the reichwing smear merchants with a beautiful set of checkmates. He's a walking model of how to handle the MSM propagandists.
There really should be some major role for him in the Obama administration.
I hope the sitemonitor is watching the comments. Please consider removing comment 52.
Trittydi @ 52:
My first taste of this silly Obama message copy cat stuff was seeing Gordon Smith running TV ads against the democratic primary candidates saying that a vote for him was a vote for change. Threw up in my mouth a little and funny (and sad) as hell to see McCain doing the same thing.
Would love to see Patricia's idea, mocking McCain by claiming Obama's achievements turn into something like an opposite version of the Chuck Norris internet meme.
This is absolutely a class act! Everything Obama does class. He is absolutely a man of honor and the best thing that could happen to this country. Go Obama!
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory @ 4:
Looking around at all the delusion....technically obama has won squat. The nomination is based on how many pledged delegates....SD's vote at the convention. Neither obama nor Clinton had enough pledged delegates to win the nomination. obama gamed the system and declared himself king of the hill, but not without the help of the supposed party elders, Dean, Pelosi, Reid, etc. It's just great America has sunk so low that we think cheating is now just dandy. MI...biggest farce of all....And, not an honest person in the bunch of obama supporters....winning trumps integrity everytime in your world.
And we're (all) going to Washington D.C. to take back the White House! Byahhhhh!
PssttCmere @ 61:
Get back under your bridge, I hear some goats coming.
Albatross @ 63:
your mom and who else???
Lawrence @ 55:
So what?
C&L is not CNN.
sheesh
PssttCmere @ 61:
Its ok - you don't have to be scared. There's plenty of room for you over here too.
Bitter Bud Hussein @ 65:
No Shit. And people who think it's trying to be should go watch CNN instead. It's a blog, Lawrence.
PssttCmere @ 61:
Randi Rhodes made an excellent point the other day. "In the primary you fall in love, in the general, you fall in line."
Obama was my 3rd choice and I am extremely excited to have him as a candidate.
Now if you still think the presidential primary is actively going on, you probably shouldn't be throwing out the word delusional too much.
Go Dean! He started the process of us taking back the party. And only is 4 short years!
Good post. One thing, I read more than once that Dean and Obama have had a very tight relationship for a while. That early on Dean helped with the 1.0 of Obama netroots. I'm not talking about some horseshit Rove thing but just very helpful.
Steve Benen, we don't have a parliamentary system in the U.S. The party president's position has always been separate and different people have occupied them. For most of America's history, the legislative branch was stronger and than the executive, so the party boss traditionally plays an important role. Of course, the executive branch has gradually gained leverage since FDR, and radically so during GW, but I hope you recognize the advantages of having separate and balanced powers in the U.S. system and how the party boss position works.
Friend told me over the phone. I was ecstatic. It's the single best news to come out of this campaign season. Shows me that Obama/his team really are clear-headed. With Obama's team and Dean's team working together -- we've got the election.
That is if the rest of us work too.
Two big thumbs up on Dean staying around. One of the few bright spots in the Democratic party. Imagine, we could of had Ford instead.
Happy ‘bout the whole thing! Two worries---How do we (all the organizations on our side) join together to protect us from voter theft? How do we stop the Presidential Pardons that are definitely about to flow?
Obama: showing leadership. It's like we're on an alternate-reality planet Earth. It has been so long since I saw a politician lead I'd forgotten it could be done.
Just wanted to get my 2 cents worth in by saying:
I like Dean a lot, and am encouraged by Obama's move to keep he where he is, doin' what he's doin.'
Shows a lot of smarts on Obama's part. I LIKE the way this is comin together.
I was an Edwards man but I must say I am increasingly impressed by Obama. An arrogant prick like Dubyah would have insisted on installing a crony. Obama is confident enough in himself to keep the Doctor doing what the Doctor does best. Also I have always been a fan of the "50 state strategy" if only because it drives high paid idiots like Mark Penn crazy. However, Dean was prescient. When the Democrats destroy the Republican Party in November the magnitude of the victory would not have been possible but for the build up of party organization in the red states. I am getting really excited about politics for the first time in years.
woodguy @ 3:
To 3 woodguy:
Christ! The "50 state strategy" failed for Bush, he then had to steal Florida! i think Dean is toast.
Dear was my candidate for President in 2004 and I will always be happy for his contribution to our nation. Mr. Obama is impressing me more and more...
Clinton's followers are understandably upset, but I hope they see that he is not the person he was made out to be during the primaries. Take a close look.
Fantastic move! This is yet another excellent move by Obama. I'm not going to be the Bush-equivalent of an apologist (I promise), but he just keeps making me more and more hopeful. Simply put, Obama kicks ass... may he continue to do so!
The fact that corporatists like MacAuliffe are not going to be running the Democratic Party gives me hope for the future.
classy move, President Obama
the DEMS have such a deep pool of talent... just look at the 9 who ran....
we have skills in every department..... energy to education..... national and international..... minorities and women....
edwards at attorney general AS A SIMPLE EXAMPLE
throw in a few AGREEABLE REPUBLICAN "centrists"..... OBAMA COULD HAVE A PROFOUND AFFECT ON THE WORLD....
-------------------(or he could just attack some pushover country and put our children in danger)... oh yeah... already been done
[Thank You : ) ]
Howard Dean is the most under-appreciated man in the Democratic Party. I'm thrilled he's staying. He got bludgeoned by Rahm Emanuel and the Clintons after the last election, even though his strategy was correct and long-sighted.
Timing is everything in politics, and if Dean hadn't laid the groundwork 4 years ago, Obama wouldn't be running for president today.
Job well done Howard.
Che's Lounge @ 7:
And the Dean scream is the polar opposite of the LIEberman mumble.
Even before Obama has chosen a Veep, he's put together a dream ticket.
Sarah @ 84:
Throw Emmanuel out. He's about a notch or two above Holy Joe.
I like Dean in this position - have always said that it was perfect casting but a good friend (who was state party chair at the time) would not forgive me if she knew I read this and didn't correct the misguided notion that the 50-state strategy was Dean's idea.
The state chairs came up with the proposal and would not vote for any candidate (for chair) that would not sign a contract stating that they would follow through on the proposal. State chairs count for 25% of the vote for DNC chair, all candidates signed it.
Dean did follow through wonderfully and has always been very supportive but it was not his initiative.
Damn right, Dems are better off with Mr. Dean there. He's not only taken an inordinate amount of bullets for his team, but he's also an articulate and focused media liasson.
Not to mention, he's also very funny and likeable.
Billy Hussien Pilgrim @ 87:
And those are very low notches..
I would hope that it is very obvious what has just happened with Obama winning the primary. The DLC is no longer in control of the party. Dean was not a DLCer and was doing things that they disliked. Building an organization in all 50 states is NOT what they wanted. They are top down people who pushed the party to the center and right next to the Republicans to "win" elections. Other than Bill Clinton it did not work. Obama and Dean are both operating on a different agenda, one that is much more of what the party was and should be. A grass roots party. This is a changing of the guard. The DLCers know it and they don't like it. I think the DLC has been a disaster for the party.
There's a lot of work ahead for us, but this really is a moment to treasure for the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. With Obama's victory, Dean's goal of taking the Democratic party is realized. It is a victory for our commitment to be leaders and not blind followers. We can continue to demonstrate this November that the way to taking our country back is not by abandoning our values for political gain nor by cowering to right-wing fearmongering, but by holding steadfast to our ideals while keeping an open mind and an open tent.
This is a victory for the ideals of socio-economic justice, pragmatism and fairness, and thus for all Democrats alike, whether female, male, elderly, young, of all races and ethnicities.
While many lament the lost opportunity for a first female president, others grieve the much greater loss of family members who have died or suffered as a result of the war and other disastrous judgment calls of our government. We need to unite, put aside our petty bickering so that together we can quickly turn our attention to the urgent matters at hand.
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