WP: Howard Dean to Step Down as DNC Chair

[TeamJordan23]

Dean to Step Down as DNC Chair

By Chris Cillizza
Former Vermont governor Howard Dean, who rose to national prominence during a failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, will not seek a second term as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, clearing the way for a loyalist of President-elect Barack Obama to be named to the soon to be vacant post.

The news of Dean's departure after a single four-year term in office was first reported by the Huffington Post's Sam Stein and confirmed by a Democratic Party source.

"At this point he has said that he doesn't intend to run again," said a DNC source granted anonymity in order to speak candidly. "He has said so publicly for a while. He has not said what he will do next."

Dean's tenure at the DNC has been marked by a sharp disconnect between the grassroots of the party and political operatives.

Grassroots -- and netroots -- activists, who propelled Dean's presidential bid and then helped get him elected as chair of the party in early 2004, love the former Vermont governor and credit his chairmanship of the DNC with the rebirth of the Democrats as a national party. (Dean's pioneering accomplishment during his four years in office is the 50-state strategy, a plan that put Democratic staff and organizations on the ground in every state in the country.)

Dean was not as well received among members of the permanent political class in Washington, many of whom dismissed him as a lightweight -- particularly on the fundraising front.

Dean, at times, clashed publicly with Democratic elected officials over his stewardship of the DNC -- particularly newly installed White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Of one particularly contentious meeting in the spring of 2006, Tom Edsall wrote:

"Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who is leading the party's effort to regain majority status in the House, stormed out of Dean's office several days ago leaving a trail of expletives, according to Democrats familiar with the session."

Over time, however, Dean did win over some skeptics to his side (former president Bill Clinton among them) thanks to a series of special election wins in conservative strongholds like northern Mississippi and Baton Rouge.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/10/dean_to_step_down_as_dnc_chair.html

[Dennis Donovan]

1. I'd be happy to see Plouffe or Axelrod in the position, although I'll miss Dean.

[demokatgurrl]

6. Axelrod has a very important job already

This doesn't surprise me though. The "Democratic Wing" of the Democratic Party has been somewhat silenced.

[Eric J in MN]

2. Howard Dean should chair "Democracy for America" again

He was the original chair. The organization grew from "Dean for America," his 2004 campaign.

www.democracyforamerica.com

[crossroads]

3. I'll miss Dean!

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Well that certainly sucks

The man who saved the Democratic party is leaving his post. I hope the President allows him some input in who should replace him, because whoever it is, needs to carry on in the same manner that the good doctor has.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Retire at the top of your game. I respect that. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

7. rumors of a Cabinet Position... I assume he will get a better job very very soon

besides, he has done the heavy lifting. We now need to build on what he has established and with an incumbent president the 2012 election will be decided more on his performance than anything else.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Mission Accomplished.

For realsies, this time.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. If Emanuel had had his way, there would have been no 50 state

strategy, we would not have regained control of the House, Hillary would have been our nominee, and McCain would be president-elect.

Sad to see Dean go, but I'm ok with it so long as the next guy is NOT DLC.