Dean had to get 12 state parties out of bankruptcy, pay unpaid debt, get padlocks off doors.

[madfloridian]

The way the party had been doing things for years...picking key states that might win and ignoring those they thought could not...had left many parties in serious condition. I knew things had been bad here in Florida financially, and funds were given by the DNC.

But until I read this post at The Next Hurrah, I had no idea how bad.
I posted about it before, but now that MONEY seems once again to be the main factor by which all are judged...time to remember.

Backstory on Carville and Dean...Next Hurrah

Have had a nice Thai meal, some nice red wine, and I am still irritated at James Carville, and in the mood for storytelling.

Now to my knowledge Mr. Carville is not a delegate from Virginia (where he lives and votes), and he does not represent any constitutant group. He is, simply put, not part of the DNC and is irrelevant as to whom they should select as their National Chair. Nor has he participated in any deliberations of the committees or commissions of the DNC over the past two years where the program of the DNC was authorized.

And now to the conditions of the state parties:

I had discovered how pathetic many of our state parties actually were. Many were literally bankrupt, the office supplies and machines (typewriters) had been taken for unpaid debt, and padlocks were on the door. The State Committees that had the franchise were held in one or another lawyer's file cabinet, (In Georgia it had been Bert Lance's for about 20 years), and the reason for this condition was frankly racism. The Southern States would not allow the release of the franchise to a newly elected Central Committee or Board, because it would be Black. They could do this because the parties were in bankruptcy, and whatever lawyer had the letterhead in his files was also the court appointed trustee.

....."When Dean took over the DNC -- this was the condition of about twelve of our State Parties. He actually had to find lawyers to go into court and get the parties out of this kind of "Trusteeship" before he could even begin to reorganize. In fact, one of the reasons some of the Field Organizers Dean appointed are on the staff of the DNC rather than state parties is because it avoids dealing with old trustees and old court judgments."

This next statement by the author really surprised me because I had no idea it was going on.

According to reporting on KO, Hillary Clinton's office is saying they did not "sign off" on the Carville attack on Dean. As Keith said, that is a bit nuanced, and it needs follow up. The language of "sign off" bothers.Indeed the ultimate question is whether local party organizations can select their own representatives or whether that power will be taken away from the state parties by the DSCC and the DCCC who substitute themselves (as elected officials) for the party organization or the DNC and what creates it. That is what is at stake."

And she points out that the rebuilding and structuring must be done before the next nomination period.

The sad thing is that so many do not understand that now is the time to deal with this matter -- before the contest for nomination begins. Wait till you have a presidential candidate or a president, and that is too late. It has to be part of the early bargain.

I don't think I need to point out that doing things this way, giving some money and power back to states that were deprived of it for years is not going to please some of the 08 candidates...and it will not please many of the leaders of the party.

It is easier for them to decide things among themselves without the involvemnent of the grassroots/netroots/nutroots. The "smoke-filled room" works better for those who want to make easy decisions.

In August Howard Dean is even heading to Pocatello, Idaho. This article shows they are excited and happy about it. That is what he said he was going to do.

Howard Dean visit set

''I think it's fantastic. It shows Idaho is important to the Democratic party,'' he said. ''Democrats can win here like they have done before and will do again.'' Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings, of Pocatello, said Dean's appearance will draw attention to Southeast Idaho and help state and local Democrats raise money.

...."Jacob Haeberle, acting chairman for the Bannock County Democrats, believes Dean's visit says a great deal about the strength of the Democratic party in Bannock County. ''I think it's an empowering and invigorating event that shows that the national party recognizes the potential of a state like Idaho,'' Haeberle said.

It is also time to remember that our candidates are sucking up the money into their deep deep coffers....but maybe some will see the need to build for the future. Maybe not.

[NMDemDist2]

Howard Dean has been the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party

in my lifetime.

I fully support the 50 state strategy and will be at the local Best Western to meet our candidate for the House of Representatives this week.

He ran last time, started very late and still came within 20 points (unbelievable in this rural area owned by oil and ranching interests)

He's already starting his run for 08 and we'll do much better next time.

[Va Lefty]

2. I fully agree

Thank you Howard Dean!

[madfloridian]

3. The DCCC really interfered in Florida in recent years.

It got pretty serious and angered so many. But they just kept on. It needs to stop.

Good luck with your candidate.

[TygrBright]

23. Bless you! We need more Dems in the Congressional delegation.

Especially if we're going to counteract the toxic effects of that skanky cow Heather Wilson.

Dems can win (SOMETHING) in every state if we are ready to work and help out and make it so. Howard Dean is doing the groundwork for us to pull our Party back out of the hands of the corporate shills and greedy DLC weasels who've been bought and paid for.

Go Howard! YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!! <----a Dean scream

happily,
Bright

[NMDemDist2]

27. hi girlfriend!!

Wilson better watch her @ss in 08. If Madrid had made even a passable showing in the debates, Wilson would be sitting in ALB right now. Madrid could not have been worse, it was embarrassing how badly she did.

Do you guys have another candidate for 08 yet?

[TygrBright]

29. I believe they do. I'm safe up here in Udall territory (lucky me!)...

...but as I understand it, there's already a couple of decent hats in the ring for '08. I want to see the backside of that tacky she-weasel almost as much as I want to see Norm Coleman's heinie handed to him. If I'm in a position to, I will be offering my volunteer services to the ABQ Dems once they pick a candidate.

longingly,
Bright

[Alexander]

28. Totally agree 100%

[Larkspur]

49. Definitely agree

Dean had vision to make the Dem party stronger, not a fiefdom for certain Prez candidates.

[Demeter]

1. The Doctor Is In!

And we need at least 300 Democrats like him in charge of the Party.

[Warpy]

4. Jesus H Christ, if that isn't enough to get rid of DLC mismanagement

what is? Failed strategy, bankrupt state parties, lost elections, blown opportunities, and the people of this country shut out of all 3 branches of their government by the corporations that the party poobahs were trying to appease! How bad is it going to have to get before all those soft pink people in expensive suits get the BOOT?

I was wondering why the inner circle were willing to give the chairmanship to an outsider like Dr. Dean. Now I know. They had just about killed this party in too many areas and were trying to blame it on an outsider!!!

Kudos to Dr. Dean. Let's hope he can clean house completely!

[ieoeja]

25. They were NOT willing to give it to Dean.

The DLC floated candidate after candidate to challenge Dean. While the Washington portion of the DNC largely echoed their support of each successive DLC candidate, the much larger state/county delegations within the DNC never wavered in their support of Gov Dean.

The 50 State Strategy was unsurprisingly popular with the 50 states. Only the DC contingent oppose it. It *is* expensive. And the DC party believes that money would be better spent on political consultants and lobbyists, i.e. the post-elective office careers of most politicians we send to DC.

[defendandprotect]

32. Nader has been telling us about this for a decade -- !!!

We've had unchallenged Republicans all over the place --
Dean finally returned to a 50 state campaign --

Until Dean, the Democratic Party was being co-opted from WITHIN . . .
BY THE DLC . . .

When are we getting rid of the DLC -- ????

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Dean brought the party back from the trash heap. He has my greatest respect

[OHdem10]

6. HRC at some points will need to "sit on Carville".

He never misses an opportunity to take a stab at Dean.

Had Dean not gotten some of those states up and running parywise,
we would not have had the wins we had in 06.

Thank you Dr. Dean

[Arugula Latte]

15. Reason #873 to keep Hillary away from the nomination. nt

[MH1]

20. As if we needed another. n/t

[illinoisprogressive]

7. Read full article. I read this when it was origially posted. it blew me away.

ever since then I have had more respect for Dean and more hate for the DLC

[madfloridian]

8. Direct link...forgot it...great comments there at the end of post.

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2006/1...

I had heard a lot here because our friends were committee members, but I had no idea about that many states.

[madfloridian]

9. Schoen and Carville...more about it.

Not only Carville...Doug Schoen, his buddy buddy wrote in his book that Dean should go and Ford take his place.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/...

So I guess we could be forgiven for thinking it was planned.

[Beaverhausen]

10. Damn it! He should be running for president!

[sampsonblk]

11. Three cheers for Dean

[madfloridian]

13. I agree.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. K&R

[Arugula Latte]

14. I loves me the good doctor!

[tom_paine]

16. Dean continues to do a great job

[Kurovski]

17. K&R. (nt)

[eridani]

18. Kick for an oldie but goodie n/t

[JNelson6563]

19. K&R

I love Doctor Dean! He's got the cure for what ails us.

Julie

[WCGreen]

21. The party can and should mount a fifty state campaign...

For various reasons but none more important than this: It will bring new energy to people living in really red states who have felt abandoned before...

This could, and should, result in more participation at the grass roots level and could make civic minded people of the democratic persuasion more inclined to run as a councilperson or state legistlator...

Let the House and Senate Campaigns worry about their own and let Dean do what Dean does best; energize the base...

[DinahMoeHum]

22. This is why I signed up for Dean's "Democracy Bond" program

in January 2006. He was espousing his "50-State Strategy", and it was enough for me to sign up to a program whereas I contribute a certain amount of $$ each and every month.

http://www.democrats.org/democracybonds.html

[BlueEyedSon]

24. This guy should be the f'in' president.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

26. But RAHM IS THE REAL HERO, honestly. Just ask him.

Doctor Dean diagnosed the problem after a complete and thorough examination. (Take that, Mr. Frist) He prescribed a solution and provided the means for the proper rehabilitation and necessary injections, even if the injections were cash based.

Because of Dean, the Democratic party is healthier than ever. Because of Rahm-bo, the DLC is being pissed upon from all sides, although they haven't recognized it yet.

[loudsue]

34. The DLC deserves to get pissed upon....they've been pissing upon the Dem party

long enough to earn plenty of pay-back. Fuckin republican infiltrators...infilTRAITORS.

Good on Dr. Dean!!!

[defendandprotect]

30. Dean should have been president -- hold onto him!!!!

F-Carville and the DLC --

[Joanne98]

31. God bless Howard Dean!

[defendandprotect]

33. What you are seeing is Democratic Party eaten away from WITHIN -- by the DLC -- !!!

DLC = REPUBLICAN CO-OPTION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY . . .??????

[wyldwolf]

35. I can't speak for any other state, but you're wrong wrong about GA

The party in GA has been bankrupt two times in recent history - 2002 and 2006. In 2002, it was bailed out by the IBEW union and in 2006 former Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor's father made a large contribution to keep it running. The JJ Dinner with John Edwards earlier this year further put them on their feet again.

Howard Dean visited the DPG office in 2005. I recall that vividly because a friend of mine, who is the chair of the PAC that I’m the vice chair of and who works for the GA party, called me and asked if I wanted to come meet him. Well, I was over an hour away in Atlanta traffic so I had to decline. Anyway, Dean visits the DPG and finds a fully staffed operation, including directors with years of federal and state experience (my friend being one of them.) So what was Dean’s ultimate contribution to GA? He tranferred my friend I just spoke of to the DNC’s payroll. Big whoop!

As for grassroots activities, nothing much changed. We knocked on doors in 2006 the same way we did in 2004, 2002, and 2000. There were more canvassers in 2004 than 2006 by my experience. The DNC did provide us with some nice door knob hangers, but some declined to use them in some districts because information on them was strictly national party stuff and in the south, that doesn’t always play well.

As far as congressional seats, 13 were in play. Only one was determined not winnable - the 6th district. That’s Tom Price’s district. I know the Democrat who ran - Steve Sinton (he was a founder of Air America Radio.) I recall one afternoon in his campaign office asking his manager (now his wife) if the DNC had provided any assistance. She told me no.

The seats that were determined safe - we won (without any DNC aid). The two winnable ones, we won, too, and again with no DNC assistance. The money spent in the congressional races of Jim Marshall and John Barrow came from the Rahm Emanuel’s DCCC. Canvassing and phone banking came from local Democratic organizations the same as it always had.

Plus, Georgia continued to lose previously Democratic-held seats. We lost the Governorship again, Lt. Governor, and Sec. of State races.

[Bravo Zulu]

37. Howard Dean is a genius

[wyldwolf]

38. Best reply you could come up with?

[madfloridian]

39. I have several knowledgable comments I could make...

yes, knowledgeable. But there is so sense in making them. I could make comments about Florida again as well as Georgia congress folks....but it would serve no purpose.

I will say this....our party is essentially in the hands of Bill Nelson and Karen Thurman. One votes Republican and one is a lobbyist for one of the biggest Republican firms around.

Florida and Georgia what can I say.

[madfloridian]

40. You can relax....soon we will have Harold Ford.

And you won't have to fret anymore about the netroots/nutroots involvement.

[wyldwolf]

41. Was that a denial or a confirmation that you were dishonest about GA?

[madfloridian]

43. That was the quote from The Next Hurrah....go talk to Sara.

Okay? She was the one saying that.

[rinsd]

47. And you're the one taking her word uncritically with zero evidence (nt)

[lojasmo]

36. Yeeearrrrgh! Governor Dean Rawks!

[janx]

42. This should be required reading, MF!

Thanks for posting it. Very informative.

[LWolf]

44. I support and appreciate the work that Dr. Dean

has done, and is doing, in his current position.

[AtomicKitten]

45. self-delete

the OP has me on ignore

my post here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[SharonAnn]

46. The national party (DNC) could have been solvent but the state parties could have been insolvent.

Terry McAuliffe did a great job in getting the national party solvent. However, many states still need a lot of work but much has been done to help them in the last two years.

Howard Dean is dealing with my ineffective organizations and doing what needs to be done to build them.

In our location, we just need to get the local party up to speed and it's hard. The leaders just don't understand what needs to be done and they don't want to learn. They seem to be OK with losing elections.

[MasonJar]

48. The election of Howard Dean to the DNC and his interest in such a

post was a godsend to the dems. The party in some states will need to be rebuilt from the bottom up, but we must start and Dean has. Thank you, Howard. Sometimes things work out for the best and maybe Howard's losing the '04 election was destiny.