Dean for DNC Chair

[WilliamPitt]

Received via email from Progressive Democrats of America:

DEAN FOR DNC CHAIR

By Steve Cobble
PDA Political Advisor
www.pdamerica.org

On Wednesday morning, November 3rd, even as George W. Bush was claiming victory,
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) launched two bold “fight-back” initiatives:

(1) PDA immediately joined the “Ohio vote count” fight, which led to the historic
January 6th challenge by Rep. Conyers, Rep. Tubbs-Jones, Sen. Boxer, and friends;
and
(2) PDA launched its own “Draft Dean for DNC Chair” effort along with Grassroots for
America and PDA board member Pam Paul who was instrumental in connecting PDA with
the Dean netroots and the current Dean staff.

PDA’s leadership also sent a letter to Governor Dean encouraging him to run, and to
keep the energy alive that the Dean, Kucinich and Sharpton campaigns had injected
into the 2004 campaign. Just last week, PDA was introduced to the DFA’s January
MeetUps, so we could continue to work closely together for change. (And it was at
PDA's founding convention in July, of course, that PDA brought together Dennis
Kucinich, Howard Dean, John Conyers, & Barbara Lee in Roxbury, MA to help keep
progressive grassroots energy alive for the future.)

Now we are on the verge of helping “the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party” to
take a giant step forward by electing former Vermont Governor Howard Dean as the new
Chair of the Democratic National Committee next month.

The importance of this potential victory can not be overstated. Electing Governor
Dean as Chair of the DNC will be a victory for reform, for the internet, for small
donor fundraising, for volunteer action, for antiwar politics, for standing up and
fighting back, and for progressive values.

Howard Dean is the only candidate running for DNC chair who is a progressive
reformer, opposed the war in Iraq, raised millions and millions of dollars from
small donors, has both held executive office and practiced internet-based “netroots”
activism in his campaign, and who believes in change from the grassroots/netroots
up.

Howard Dean is not afraid to fight back when the GOP cheats, slanders, and distorts.
Howard Dean can handle the TV disinformers, the talk radio thugs, the Freeper
punks, and whatever Swift Boat-type liars the RNC drags out for their next round of
dirty tricks.

And amazingly, even though the Democratic Party is overwhelmingly opposed to the war
in Iraq (especially the way the Bush cabal has handled it), pro-choice (particularly
when the next Bush Supreme Court appointee will put the right to choose in
jeopardy), ready to defend Social Security (the FDR rock upon which the New Deal
Democratic Party was built), and solidly for universal health care (an area where
Dean had marked success as Governor of Vermont) only Howard Dean among the current
serious DNC candidates is on the “Wellstone side” of all these issues.

Oh, one more thing. When Howard Dean became Governor of Vermont in 1991, it was a
red state. In the previous president election, a Bush had defeated the Democratic
nominee from Massachusetts 51-48%. But since Howard Dean became Governor, Vermont
has gotten bluer and bluer. Which makes Governor Dean the only candidate running
for DNC chair who actually led his state as it switched from red to solid blue…

When the netroots first began pushing “Dean for DNC”, one party hack was anonymously
quoted attacking the idea, saying that it would be as “bad” as when Ron Brown ran
for DNC Chair. Well, that's interesting disinformation. I was on Ron’s campaign
for Chair, and here’s what happened:

*Ron Brown won, defeating 4 serious opponents.

*The Democrats held the House and Senate in ’90 & ’92.

*Bill Clinton won the Presidency in 1992.

If that’s our template for the next 4 years, the party hack’s comparison is not an
attack, it’s a compliment!

Dean for DNC. It’s the next step for reformers. And PDA is ready to roll…

[A-Schwarzenegger]

1. I second your nomination.

[flpoljunkie]

23. Is this your nomination, Will? PDA just sent out this email.

Interesting, the race is really heating up tonight. Am undecided as of now.

[Me.]

2. What Are Dean's Chances?

Are the party "leaders" trying to shut him out with a full court press for Rosenberg? I think he would be a terrific asset in re-organizing the party, but does he have a real, viable chance that these people will elect him?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

4. Dean Is a Smart Guy

I don't think he would have declared if he didn't have a darn good chance.

I'm officially off the fence between Dean and Rosenberg. Simon's great, but I'm for Dean.

DTH

[paulk]

31. why do you automatically assume the "party leaders" are

endorsing Rosenberg?

Last week the story was that Pelosi and Reid were backing Tim Roemer.

[Me.]

33. Because There's Been

a push for Rosenberg in the media, and even on DU, today.

[paulk]

35. I thought the media was controlled by the right wing?

The Democratic Party leadership is in cahoots with the right wing media?

[Me.]

37. I Don't Believe I Mentioned RW Media

What I did say was that a number of dems have been out today pushing for Rosenberg.

[Turn CO Blue]

3. Dean is my preference by miles. He is the One.

I say a huge NO to Wellington Webb, former Denver mayor.

[rjbrooks]

5. Dean for DNC Chairman

As a member of my county Democrat Executive Committee, I just e-mailed my state DNC delegates urging them to help elect Gov. Dean.

[Ruffhowse]

6. You got my vote!

[genius]

7. I was leaning towards Dean but his people are up to their old dirty tricks

If he doesn't want to fizzle out, he'll tell his people to stop trying to minimize and attack the Kucinich people in the Party. It would be easier to back someone whose supporters are nice. If I see a change in his supporters' behavior, I may back him for chair. The Kucinich people are being as nice as possible to Dean, hence the position of the PDA (a Kucinich supporters group) even though a lot of the members are worried about his positions on the issues.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

8. Huh?

Why would anyone attack Kucinich people? He's not even running for DNC chair.

More details, pleez.

DTH

[genius]

9. Exactly.

[Rowdyboy]

Just curious-what have Dean supporters done to attack Kucinich people?

You certainly can't blame the man for the behavior of every person CLAIMING to be a supporter of his on an internet message board. You have access to his record, you've seen his plusses and minuses, make up you on mind, regardless of the internet.

For the record, while I would welcome Dean as party chair, I also like Martin Frost and Simon Rosenberg. If I had a vote, I'm really not certain how I would go, likely Dean just because of his presidential campaign. He seems to have tapped into the Democratic base on a deep, fundamental level. I'm stunned that anyone as fiscally conservative as Dean is the darling of the left but one should never look a gift horse in the mouth.

on edit: This post is in response to post 7, Genius-not the original poster. There was a glitch when I hit enter.

[genius]

13. Dean needs to ask his people to treat the Kucinich supporters with respect

It's amazing how a little niceness works. We saw the same nonsense during the pre-primary period and it's popping up again. I'm just suggesting a little civility. If Dean does want to reform the party, he'll need the continued support of the Kucinich people.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

16. 4th Request from you for links/cites???

What Dean people are disrespecting Kucinich and/or his supporters? TIA.

[Constitution]

22. Genius, don't take the Schwarzenegger's bait. Your suggesion was good..

Now walk away. If the Dean and Arnold people want to start a war, don't become a target. Everyone knows how nasty the fighting got between the Dean campaigns and the other campaigns. That's why no one likes Trippi. It's realy stupid for them to start it up again or even to attack those presenting olive branches unless they think they are superior to everyone or are not on the same side with rest of us.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

25. "If the Dean and Arnold people want to start a war"

LOFL.

You are not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

[bigwillq]

17. I'm a Dean supporter that respects Kucinich and his supporters

very much.

[jonnyblitz]

24. Dean supporters are blamed for all sorts of things...

you should be used to this if you have been on this board for very long.

[progressiveandproud]

28. Likewise.

...except that I'm a Kucinich supporter who respects Dean and the Deaniacs.

Still, I am interested in learning about any underhand tactics the Dean campaign may have used against Kucinich (if any were in fact used). I'm less informed than I would like about the Dean and Kucinich campaigns from the Dem primary, but I've always thought Kucinich was (unfortunately) a fringe candidate (given his stance in favor of withdrawing from Iraq)... so I don't see why anyone would have gone so far as to badmouth him, even.

[Rowdyboy]

19. Just remember, any asshole with a computer can sign-on to DU,

give himself the name "Deaniac2008" etc and start insulting people left and right.

[Cheswick2.0]

21. yes and any asshole can log on and pretend to be a DK

supporter and make him look bad too.

[Rowdyboy]

26. Absolutely.... Lies are told about all candidates...Remember Seventhson?

He posted total trash about Wes Clark for months, nothing was too filthy to claim. Clark was the anti-Christ. When Kerry won the nomination, Seventhson turned on him with just as much venom. On election night, we discovered Seventhson was a solid, long-time Bush supporter.

This is a Democratic board and I mistrust ANYONE who repeatedly attacks Democratic officeholders.

[msongs]

11. wanna quote some links or sources for your attack or is it just

hot air?

msongs
www.msongs.com/howarddean2008.htm

[genius]

15. It wasn't an attack. It was a suggestion for peace if Dean wants to win

the chairmaship. Why don't you look at what happening in the party in your area. I've heard that a lot of people are experiencing problems but one has to be objective to see them. The anti-Kucinich stuff the Dean people post here is just a small example of the venum that's been thrown around. Check old posts about the assaults and threats made against Kucinich people. You'll see why they are afraid of things getting that bad again. Personally, I don't want to go into all that. I'm just asking the Dean people to be nice that's all.

[genius]

18. It wasn't an attack. It was a suggestion for peace if Dean wants to win

the chairmaship. Why don't you look at what happening in the party in your area. I've heard that a lot of people are experiencing problems but one has to be objective to see them. The anti-Kucinich stuff the Dean people post here is just a small example of the venum that's been thrown around. Check old posts about the assaults and threats made against Kucinich people. You'll see why they are afraid of things getting that bad again. Personally, I don't want to go into all that. I'm just asking the Dean people to be nice that's all.

[marcologico]

27. You got that right. Sometimes I wonder if Dean's not already in the White

House, or at least on the payroll. Is he gunning for Rove's job or what?

[Cheswick2.0]

20. nonsense

You started an attack on Dean in the form of a poll with mischaracterizations of Deans postions and the results his policies would have on the country. Your rhetoric was the same old shit we read over and over during the primaries. So you got a dose of your own medicine. If you don't like it, don't start it.
But that's just one anti-Dean thread you started today. You are on a daily campaign against him for some strange reason. Dean never had your support so you can stop threatening him with losing it.
Don't want to read anti DK rhetoric from the primaries, then stop with your vendetta against Dean. Stop posting the same old anti Dean rhetoric from the primaries.

For you to claim victim-hood now is laughable.

[Padme Amidala]

30. That was a good poll. Get with reality.

It has been a day since I've seen it but I recall that all the options were right on point. Supporters look ridiculous when they won't even acknowledge the positions of their own candidate. To Dean, these positions were not negative. That's why he had them. They will probably become offical Democratic Party positions if he becomes chairman.

[Padme Amidala]

29. I've seen a lot of what you are talking about.

Genius, I think your call for peace is a good one. Instead of attacking it the Dean people should agree to the peace. Maybe they don't want peace.

[NYCGirl]

32. Your "Why Did Dean Lose?" poll was pretty offensive, but my reaction

was to just stay away from it. Perhaps you didn't realize it was offensive?

[quaoar]

10. Dean, yes!!!

Worn-out, cynical, bought-and-paid-for party hacks -- no!!!

[newsguyatl]

12. good timing, will

... um, with this post and all.

[bigwillq]

14. Some great facts in there! GO HOWARD!

Thanks Will for posting this!

[formernaderite]

34. so what are you hearing in terms of his chances, or am I going to be very

disappointed once again?

[WillyT]

36. Yeah Baby... Go Howard !!!

*Singing*

He's got the graaaaaaassroots, in his camp,
He's got the graaaaaaassroots, in his camp,
etc........

LOL!!!

[KittyWampus]

38. Frankly, I Question The Wisdom Of Having A High Profile Figure As

DNC Chair.

Although, Dean certainly is competent.

Edit: I find this kind of interesting in whom it omits any mention of:

"PDA’s leadership also sent a letter to Governor Dean encouraging him to run, and to keep the energy alive that the Dean, Kucinich and Sharpton campaigns had injected into the 2004 campaign."

Hmm... Sharpton injected more energy then Wes Clark that he deserves mention?