Dean is being treated like shit by Obama and it's disgusting.

[cali]

Sorry, but it needed to be said in plain language. This is about as ungracious as it gets. Dean wasn't invited to the DNC/Kaine/Obama affair this afternoon.

ugh.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/07/howard-dean-left-out-of-o_n_156116.html

[EFerrari]

1. What is UP with this? I thought I was just feeling protective of Dean

but this is just stoopid.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. "Dean was not asked to attend and would have changed prior plans"

I am getting really upset about this. The Democratic Party and our entire country owes a big debt of gratitude to Dr. Howard Dean. What is behind this bizarre and ungracious and ungrateful behavior towards him? What is the backstory?

[ErinBerin84]

2. yeah

there was a good thread about this last night, but I think it ended up being locked....at the request of the OPer or something.

[Autumn]

6. That was an excellent

thread, but it was becoming flame bait. Happens often.

[ErinBerin84]

10. personally

It is disappointing to me, but I have faith that Dean will land on his feet, as others have said. Pitting Obama against him doesn't do anything for me since I don't know the full situation, but I just hope Kaine can be half as good as Dean...hard act to follow.

[Pirate Smile]

15. That is how I feel also.

[Autumn]

16. Very hard act to follow,

I hope but I am not optimistic about Kaine. I just don't see the passion that Howard has.

[onefreespiritedchick]

34. This might be full media spin

Thus, I will give this all benefit of the doubt for now.

[ErinBerin84]

45. yep

[JimGinPA]

3. "It is unclear whether Dean's absence reflects a snub or a scheduling conflict."

Seems to me they're looking for drama where there may not be any.

[scheming daemons]

7. Exactly.... it's media sowing dissent.....

[SwampG8r]

146. and a lot of DU playing along

[nodramamama]

145. If Dean had been invited, he would have gone

His brother said. That suggests no scheduling conflict.

[scheming daemons]

4. Strange that Dean doesn't feel the same way....

....I love Howard Dean...

...but you are being manipulated by people who want to sow division. Obama's not slighting Dean, Dean's not feeling slighted.

It's imagined poutrage.

[firedupdem]

9. I can't seem to find the post where Dean states he has been treated

horribly. I'll believe it when I hear it from him. Boy, Obama can't catch a fucking break.

[scheming daemons]

11. Because he hasn't..... people are just making shit up now... I'm disappointed in cali

[cali]

31. Dean is a really gracious and loyal guy and he'll never

undermine Obama. That doesn't mean he isn't being snubbed. He clearly is.

[CreekDog]

107. If Dean were treated badly, he wouldn't say so

That's just not done.

I think the world of Dr. Dean. :loveya:

[Dawgs]

127. Did he tell you that, or are you just projecting?

I don't think any of us have a clue of the relationship between these two men.

[CreekDog]

136. You can count on one hand the number of politicians who say "I was snubbed"

in a TV interview. it's exceedingly rare and in Dean's case, it's even less likely because he has never done that before.

so i'm making an assumption, but it's grounded in fact.

[Thrill]

8. Trying to drum up a rift where there is none. Why does Dean have to be there?

Why does Dean need to be there?

[camera obscura]

12. McAuliffe was there when Dean became head of the DNC.

[scheming daemons]

14. Maybe McAuliffe wasn't travelling at the time.....

Until I hear from Dean that he wanted to be there, but was slighted.... I'll take the HuffPo's poutrage with a grain of salt.

[Captain Hilts]

18. What's their hurry? Kaine's office is less than 2hrs away. They could have waited. nt

[firedupdem]

20. The man was on Hardball yesterday. He didn't seem all abused

and hurt like I hear he's supposed to be. He seemed to be a real straight shooter. What the hell would Obama have to gain from just trashing Dean? Why would he have a personal vendetta against this man? Why would Dean cover up how horribly Obama is treating him. This stuff makes no sense at all.

[EFerrari]

23. Rahm has been horrible to Dean for years. I don't recall Dean ever complaining

because he doesn't seem to do that in public.

[firedupdem]

26. oh okay, so we're supposed to just believe Obama is treating him

horribly and he doesn't show his pain in public? Why should I believe this? Honestly, I can't figure out why he's supposedly being treated so badly by Obama?

[EFerrari]

27. What you believe is entirely up to you. I just pointed out that

Obama's gate keeper has a well known history of treating Dean very badly.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

28. I osmosed from somewhere that the Clintonites like Rahm, Carville and MacAuliffe

never really liked, got along, agreed with - however you would care to phrase it- with Dean because he basically turned all their policies upside down. They had always been the go-to guys for the big bucks while Dean tried to popularize the whole process and really bring in the little people. I could be wrong, but that's what I think I kinda know.

[wyldwolf]

35. Dean turned all of Clinton's policies upside down?

Sounds made up to me.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

44. The DNC under MacAuliffe was a totally different beast than the DNC under Dean

I think Dean can be credited with a whole bunch of the down line victories. He did not follow their already laid out game plans because he thought he had a better one and he did.

I used the word "Clintonites" not Clinton just to distinguish who I think his differences are with. I think in some ways, even if unitentional, that Dean dimished the standing of Carville and MacAuliffe, at least among the non-insiders. That is why Dean is such a hero to so many. You Have the Power is the direct sire of Yes We Can.

I think there is petty jealousy at work here and I hate to see it.

[wyldwolf]

47. so? How was that "Clinton's policies?"

The DNC had been run that way for decades. :shrug:

However, during McAuliffe's tenure, the DNC raised more than $578 million, and emerged from debt for the first time in party history. He was also behind Demzilla, the computer database of more than 170 million potential voters, and the DNC also founded a Women’s Vote Center to educate and mobilize women voters and the Voting Rights Institute to protect voting rights and a “Something New” program, an initiative to mobilize younger voters.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

54. I really am NOT trying to say it was "Clinton's" policies

and am sorry for the confusion. I could have left the description "Clintonite" out altogether and still have kept my entire meaning.

I'm sure MacAuliffe did a fine job, but at the same time, we lost. I am sure that Dean himself would credit MacAuliffe for all that he did, but Dean took a radically different path and WE WON.

It is sad in lgiht of what should be a shared and joyous victory among many and all that it APPEARS Dean is being shunted into the shadows as fast as they can get him there.

[wyldwolf]

60. ok, let's take "Clinton" out of the equation

Democrats had success at the Presidential level and House/Senate level throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s without Dean's methods.

Doesn't that mean other factors were also in play between 2004 and 2008?

[RaleighNCDUer]

57. And despite all that, under McAwful's tenure the Democrats lost

control of congress, lost repeated elections, and put all their energies into turning the DNC into the official arm of the DLC.

[wyldwolf]

67. nope

Do some research and find out when Democrats lost control of Congress vs. when McAullife served as chair.

And while we're on the subject of the loss of congress, also look up "rubber gate," the number of Democratic retirements in areas becoming red, gerrymandering southern districs in the GOP's favor, and finally find out what year the first mobilization of the Christian right occurred in.

:)

[NashVegas]

92. A Lot of It. He Embarrassed Them By Being Correct

And that threatened their power & influence.

[EFerrari]

39. Yeah, that's mostly what I think. Dean was a problem and upset

whatever their plan was for Hillary and so on. That's legitimate but some of the weirder stuff -- like Rahm trying to get Dean fired when he was doing a good job as Chair seems like there's some personal acrimony in there, somewhere. :shrug:

Whatever. I love Howard Dean and I can't wait to see where he lands so I can go there and support him. :)

[Captain Hilts]

29. It's all Rahm's fault??? I don't think so. nt

[EFerrari]

36. Okay.

[Captain Hilts]

38. We just need to wait and see. Peace. nt

[EFerrari]

42. That's likely true. As I said up thread, I first tend to think I'm over reacting.

It would be cool if this turns out to be just a slow gossip day.

[CreekDog]

108. Because Dean's goals never included being liked

he had a job to do.

you have to admire how he stood up for what he cared about, but never for himself.

[MaineDem]

21. And Dean will be there when Kaine becomes Chair

It's not happening until the 21st. Dean will start the meeting and Kaine will be elected.

[RaleighNCDUer]

52. That's only because he had glued himself into his chair -

didn't have much choice about it.

[ColbertWatcher]

118. Because Dean is not the enemy. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

13. Let's wait and see how accurate this is.

If true, they've dissed a lot of important Democrats this week.

It's not so much who they are, but the positions they hold that you have to respect. DNC chair is one of them.

[LaydeeBug]

17. this is almost as bad as warren, but warren is by far worse imho. nt

[scheming daemons]

69. (facepalm)

[LaydeeBug]

135. (fuckoff)

[Connie_Corleone]

19. So where's the quote from Dean complaining about treatment from Obama?

Anything else is just media spin.

[scheming daemons]

22. +1

[EFerrari]

25. Where is there a quote from Dean complaining about anything?

This may be a bunch of nothing but you can't judge that by the absence of the whining Dean never does.

[scheming daemons]

50. Um...... so... to follow your logic....

A. Dean never complains about anything.

means

B. Since Dean isn't complaining about this, surely it means he is feeling snubbed!



:eyes:

[EFerrari]

55. No, I didn't say that. That logic is yours.

:)

[Lyric]

124. No. The logic is that just because Dean isn't publicly complaining

does not mean that it WASN'T a snub. Whatever else he is, Dean is intensely loyal to the party, and he might be holding his peace for the sake of party harmony.

But you knew that, I'm sure.

[kenfrequed]

128. Bah

Carville and Rahm and the DLC talking heads came out sharply agasint Dean after 1998. I think they were hoping his plans would fail, of course they tried to slime him in the press anyhow.

Fortunately they failed.

[camera obscura]

24. Out of curiosity is there somewhere to watch Kaine being introduced as the new DNC head?

[flpoljunkie]

30. What message does this send, President-Elect Obama?

[onefreespiritedchick]

32. Norah O'Donnell just said something about this on MSNBC

What the hell is going on? Dean deserves better than this. I am livid. I've been very supportive of Obama, but there has to be a better explanation than this...esp after what Dean did with the 50 state strategy and all.

[Captain Hilts]

37. MSNBC creates conflict where there isn't any. I think we should wait to pass judgement on this. nt

[cali]

43. So did Rick Sanchez on CNN

it's being widely noted.

[fadedrose]

33. I sent a note to the DNC

with a comment about why I was canceling my monthly contribution to them and then notified the bank......no more, not from me.

I only started up because Dr. Dean was the chairman...

Yahoooooooooo

(edited to show recommend)

[Cha]

41. I don't know what's going on but

I do know the corporatemedia likes to make up shit.

But, your way is at least some action in letting them know you like Dean and his work.

[LittleApple81]

48. I will do the same. nt

[fadedrose]

71. Link to DNC

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/donorcontact

[PurityOfEssence]

40. Et tu, Cali?

These guys play for keeps.

One very dangerous move to make in politics is to change perceivable tone; it's bad for a hard-nose to suddenly become a softy, but it's a real problem when someone who actively sought to appeal to the emotional sweetness in people starts revealing a serious hardness.

Perhaps it's simply further compensation. That would explain the choice of Rahm.

I've had lots of problems with Dean and his supporters and was very vocal about it, but I've also been very consistent in the last few years about applauding his work as DNC chair. We owe him a lot. He's also lost some of the brashness that pissed me off so early. (I loathed the snotty statement in '03 of him representing the "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" when he was essentially or close to the most conservative person on the stage, and there were many other issues. The extremists of his supporters were only topped in strident tiresomeness by the Clark ones and later Obama's, but I got over a lot of that as he really did us proud.)

I hope these guys get rid of their tin ear and unseemly boorishness; it was a very good move to make nice with Feinstein, and it showed some humility, grace and SENSE, but things like this keep coming up, and it doesn't bode well.

[blue_onyx]

46. Dean is not being treated like shit

The article itself said, "It is unclear whether Dean's absence reflects a snub or a scheduling conflict." People just assume Dean is being disrespected without knowing the facts.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

49. and two sentences later

"But a source with knowledge of the proceedings said that Dean was not asked to attend and suggested that he would have changed prior plans."

I think it's clear that it's a snub, the only question is intentional or unintentional. Was the fracas with Feinstein intentional or unintentional?

[scheming daemons]

51. And you know this "source with knowledge"?????

Sheesh.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

61. Of course not. I was quoting from the article. You have heard of "unnamed sources" before, right?

Happens all the time in actual reporting and real journalism. I'm surprised you're so unfamiliar with the concept.

[blue_onyx]

59. "a source"...sounds really reliable

Some people see what they want to see.

[RaleighNCDUer]

63. That should read "but an unnamed source with an unknown agenda and

knowledge of the proceedings..."

[Life Long Dem]

144. Some are too eager to bash Obama.

Why?

[zulchzulu]

53. I very much doubt that Dean is being snubbed/punished...

It was probably a scheduling conflict. I'd give the benefit of a doubt on this... it looks like the Huff Post is looking for scandals where there aren't any...

[FrenchieCat]

56. It's not an "affair", it is a press conference.

Why would Howard Dean want to be at a press conference that operates pretty much like all of Obama's press conferences. Obama says a few words about his selection, selection speaks, there might or might not be some questions taken, and that is it.

Why the big to do about nothing? I don't get it.

[scheming daemons]

62. The "big deal" is this:

Certain people feel Dean was "slighted" when Obama chose Gupta for Surgeon General.

...even though Dean showed no interest in the post.

...even though Dean was full of profuse praise for the Gupta selection on Hardball yesterday.



Now... since their poutrage over that non-existent slight was blown up by Dean himself.... they are looking for other ways to "prove" that Obama is slighting Dean.

[Kahuna]

83. "Poutrage." I like that word. Did you coin it? Either way, I intend

to use it often. :pals:

[Kahuna]

81. Just another day to start some shit. Duh. nt

[ThomCat]

58. It would be nice to know why Obama seems to want to snub Dean

:shrug:

[scheming daemons]

66. I would be nice to know why you have three nostrils....

...oh wait... you mean that's not true?



hint: Neither is the meme that Obama is "snubbing" Dean.

[ThomCat]

70. Really...

So, oh wise guru, please enlighten us.

Obama didn't give Dean an appointment to any position in the new administration despite all Dean's work. And now he hasn't been invited to the ceremony even turn over keys to his successor.

What is that, if not a snub?

[pot luck]

74. How do we know if Obama has offered Dean a position or not?

Maybe he did and Dean declined? None of us has any inside information, so at this point, it's all speculation.

Until Dean comes out and says that Obama has been snubbing him, I'm just going to assume its the media, as usual, trying to stir up something between Obama and liberals like they do every other week.

[ThomCat]

86. None of it is inside information.

Reporters have been asking their staffs almost daily, and Dean's staff has stated sever times that he has not received any offers. And in the cited article above there is a quote from his staff that if he had received an invitation to this event he would certain have changed his schedule to be able to attend. So, that's pretty clear that he hasn't heard anything from the Obama people.

[scheming daemons]

90. No... the article above does NOT say that the quote is from "his staff"

It says a "source".


Again... you're reading into things that aren't there.

[scheming daemons]

75. Point by point

"Obama didn't give Dean an appointment to any position in the new administration despite all Dean's work."

A. Did Dean want a position in the new administration? Provide evidence that he did.
B. Do you know for a fact that Obama did not offer Dean a position? Maybe he did and Dean declined. Maybe Dean told him ahead of time, "I'm not interested in any cabinet positions. I'm taking a break."



"And now he hasn't been invited to the ceremony even turn over keys to his successor."

Because he wasn't in attendance no way indicates that he wasn't invited. Dean is currently on a plane to American Samoa. Perhaps he was invited and declined because of his scheduling conflict.




Nothing in your post has any proof to back it up. You're making suppositions based on rumors, innuendo, and "unnamed sources"... with nothing to back them up.

Until and unless there is some confirmation that:

A. Dean wanted a position, but wasn't offered one

or

B. Dean wanted to go to the press conference, but wasn't invited


any talk of him being "snubbed" is premature... at least.... and at worst is the work of people with an agenda that includes sowing discord.

[ThomCat]

85. Deans's staff has repeatedly said

that they have received no offers, no invitations. That's pretty clear.

If you were so sure, 2 posts ago, that I was wrong then I assume you had some proof that somehow nobody else had seen that some offers had been made. Did you see something, or were you just guessing and making that up?

[scheming daemons]

89. Since Dean hasn't said anything, the burden of proof is on those saying he is being snubbed

Maybe Howard told Obama ahead of time he wasn't interested in any cabinet positions.


You simply do not know.



I joined DU in 2003 as an original Deaniac. I love Howard. And if he wanted a job in the administration, I think he would have one.

I think he wants a break from all the bullshit.

[DevonRex]

72. *snort*

I thought it was 2 eyes and a hole in the head. Sigh. I'll never know now, as I just added said poster to ignore.

[Lyric]

125. Wow, how mature.

:eyes:

Why on Earth would you put ThomCat on Ignore? He didn't say a thing that was insulting or crude. Do you often Ignore people whose opinions don't precisely coincide with your own?

[zulchzulu]

64. Dean is reportedly traveling today to American Samoa

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/01/08/snubbing_dean.html

So maybe he told someone he was traveling to Samoa... which is like a 20 hour flight...

[scheming daemons]

68. "But he would've had that plane turned around immediately, if only he was asked!"

...say the poutragers.

Because.... postponing/cancelling a 20-hour flight to attend a 15-minute Press Conference in Washington is no problem!

[zulchzulu]

88. Howie's gwoin' to Pago Pago!

Current Chairman Howard Dean left this morning for Pago Pago, American Samoa to attend the inauguration of that territory’s governor and a weekend fundraiser to raise money for the party there. Dean has so far visited all 50 states, and all territories except American Samoa.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/08/dean-to-be-absent-from-obamas-dnc-visit/

[DevonRex]

65. Nothing but speculation and unnamed "sources." Way too soon to judge. nt

[NJmaverick]

73. That article was short on facts, but long on insinuations

I will wait until I have the facts, before forming an opinion.

[wyldwolf]

76. Well, it IS the Huffington Post

[Kahuna]

79. I laugh at people who get their "news" from HuffPo."

:eyes:

[AtomicKitten]

100. They punked me last week with the precipitous and as it turns out

erroneous announcement that Caroline Kennedy had been selected by Gov. Paterson. Throughout the day, they slowly backed away from their original breathless headline. x(

[scheming daemons]

80. Wow... since when do DUers wait for facts before forming opinions?

...are you sure you're in the right place?

;-)

[NJmaverick]

87. Sometimes I ask myself that very question

:toast:

[Kahuna]

77. Jumping to conclusions is ever more disgusting. You have no idea

what the relationship is between Obama and Dean. Nobody on DU knows. So all this speculation is stupid.

[democrattotheend]

109. My understanding is that they have a good relationship

But obviously, Dean's relationship with Rahm Emanuel is a little rocky, so that might be part of why Dean didn't get a cabinet post. But I don't think Dean not being at the press conference today was necessarily a snub. Kaine did have nice things to say about him.

[babylonsister]

78. congrats, cali. you got the rise you've been looking for. Happy?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/08/dean-to-be-absent-from-obamas-dnc-visit/

Current Chairman Howard Dean left this morning for Pago Pago, American Samoa to attend the inauguration of that territory’s governor and a weekend fundraiser to raise money for the party there. Dean has so far visited all 50 states, and all territories except American Samoa.

[scheming daemons]

82. Obviously, he would've cancelled that event to attend a 15-minute presser in DC

...if only Obama would've asked!

:sarcasm:

[Kahuna]

84. LOL!!!!

:rofl:

[tammywammy]

114. lol!

:rofl:

[K Gardner]

91. ^5

[Cha]

95. That's so cool what Dean is

doing! I don't suppose this merits its own thread?

[dave29]

132. ding

as a long long time Dean supporter this is much ado about nothing. The good Dr has and always will have my deepest gratitude. :)

[crispini]

93. I am completely going to agree.

As someone who was brought into this party by Howard Dean, I am kind of annoyed.

[Cha]

94. Where's the proof? As a Deaniac from way back

I don't believe it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8070630

[crispini]

103. Ok, I'll agree that the HuffPo piece is short on facts...

the question is, was Dean invited? I do wonder. Especially since he has been passed over for a post in the new administration, people are going to ask these questions.

[Cha]

117. It's good to ask questions about

Dean but I'm not ready to throw Obama under the bus on this..

[ProSense]

96. Poor Dean, he was used, snubbed and left hanging

:cry:

Oh, wait...

isn't Dean in Pago Pago?

[babylonsister]

97. Ha! That poor guy!

:thumbsup:

[Starry Messenger]

116. Poor bastard.

That looks so nice right now. I hate January. :)

[Life Long Dem]

143. What a bunch of morons!!

:rofl:

[uponit7771]

98. WHAT!!! THE!!! FUCK!!! No he's not

[MelissaB]

130. Yes, he is:

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=9641688

[cottonseed]

99. I love the smell of outrage in the morning.

I hear Pago Pago is wonderful this time of year.

[Phx_Dem]

101. How is he being treated like shit?

Because he didn't get a job? I wouldn't categorize that as being treated like shit.

[Phx_Dem]

129. I hate to reply to my own post, but I couldn't edit it so . . .

I've been reading the reports of Dean being snubbed at the DNC meeting yesterday and I have to agree with those who find this odd and very disappointing. While I'm not mad at Obama -- it takes a more than a snub to make me mad -- but I would like to know what is going on and why they snubbed Dean. I'm more disappointed and perplexed than mad.

Naturally, Dean isn't complaining because he never does. He's a good soldier and a good man.

:-(

[K Gardner]

102. What's disgusting is this post.

[Sebastian Doyle]

104. Kicked and Recommended.

Howard Dean has done more for the Democratic Party than ANYBODY since the 1960's. This party was DEAD after the great October 2002 Iraq War suckup and almost buried after the pathetic campaign and Ohio theft in 2004.

It took a great doctor to restore this patient to life, and he did exactly that. And to replace him with another barely-Democrat Virginia beltway hack DLC'er is pitiful. To do so with someone anti-choice, anti-gay, and anti-labor is an insult to ALL of us.

[countingbluecars]

105. Dean has never struck me as anyone's victim. n/t

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

106. In the time since my last comment on this thread I have taken the time to Google and attempt

to inform myself about Howard Dean, his relationship with Obama and whether he was desirous of any Cabinet position. Try it, you can do it too. I googled Howard Dean Obama Cabinet and got lots of results. Some MSM , some blogs, etc.etc.

It seems that it was often reported/conjectured that Dr. Dean was highly desirous of the HHS cabinet position. Now before anyone begins screaming for the "source" where Dr. Dean himself says this - I can tell you that it does not exist. Just as one does not exist for HRC saying she really wants to be Secretary of State and there is probably not one for anyone else who is being appointed to anything BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HOW IT'S DONE when you are in contention for a post. Sorry, for the people who can only believe anything if it comes from the horses mouth - most horses don't seem to be talking.

As we all know, Dr. Dean did not get the HHS position. In some of the articles I perused, it was mentioned that Dean had a "frosty" relationship with Rahm Emmanual. Sorry, no quotes from either Emmanual or Dean where they say "I hate his guts and would like to TP his house." At any rate, I bet that when Dr. Dean heard that Rahm Emmanual became Chief of Staff he probably knew that his chances of getting any really great post in the Obama admin were pretty long shot. I still think it's too bad. I would far prefer him to Calling Dr. Gupta as Surgeon General, but who knows if he would even want that post.

It APPEARS to me that he is being given the old heave ho. That's my opinion. I don't have the opinion to in order to diminish or question Obama, or to be "devisive", or to sow disunity - I have the opinion because that's what I think.

[Vinca]

110. I got the impression from watching Dean in an interview that

he was going to do speaking engagements. Maybe after all these years he wants to make some money.

[ieoeja]

111. Question for the pro-Dean/anti-DLC crowd here.

Given: Hillary decided to remain in the Senate
Given: Obama put Dean in charge of healthcare reform

Then: how many of you -- and this is addressed to the pro-Dean/anti-DLC crowd only -- seriously believe that Hillary would not have done everything in her power to destroy healthcare reform?


I use Hillary because she is *the* face of the DLC. But unless you have been locked in solitude the past four years, you have to know that a substantial percentage of the Democrats in the House and Senate consider Howard Dean a bigger enemy than their Republican rivals.

Dean would help Obama a *lot* with the crowd outside the beltway. But Obama has to work inside the beltway. And the merest hint of Dean involvement in anything Obama does will set the DLC off like rabid dogs.

I don't like it. You don't like it. It's a pretty good bet that Dean doesn't like it. But I bet he understands it. It sucks. But the real enemy here is not Obama, it is the DLC.

[wyldwolf]

113. Look under your bed...

EEEEK!! The DLC!!!

[NorthCarolina]

112. It appears that pressure from bloggers like those on DU and elsewhere

expressing concern over the lack of acknowledgment for Deans accomplishments has forced Obama to publicly address the issue. I don't think it's a secret that Dean is not very highly regarded by the DLC, and it was interesting to watch the deadpan expressions of Rahm Emmanuel during Obama's public show of *thanks* to Mr. Dean.

[totodeinhere]

115. I disagree. Lem him go out on the speaking circuit and make some serious money for a change.

If anyone deserves it, he does. Also, look for a best selling book.

[cali]

119. 1) Dean isn't terribly interested in money and 2) he's got it.

he lives in a modest house and has never shown any interest in changing that. He also inherited enough to be comfortable. His wife is a doc and does just fine.

[Undercurrent]

120. Yes, that is what he said today

on Chris Matthews. He said he is looking forward to hitting the speaking circuit, and making some money.

And also he endorsed Gupta, and that he'll campaign for Obama's health care bill.

[cboy4]

121. LOL.....I've never seen so many members of my "buddy list"

gathered in one thread.

But when there a need to be an Obama apologist, I guess everyone gets the same text to come a runnning.

lol

[quickesst]

122. For many....

...Obama was like the second coming during the primaries and ge. His mistake was winning, and when the realization settled in that the fantasy created around him was just that, the left did what the left always does. Attack the only winner we've had since Clinton. Too bad for some that he won. That way the fantasy could have been kept alive, and we would be inundated with the fantasizer's tales of "what could have been" while America continued to burn. I for one, am thrilled that it did not work out for them. Thanks.
quickesst

[FreeStateDemocrat]

123. The DINO.inc gang hates genuine Democrats like Howard Dean. Our party & BOis owned by corp America.

[tomp]

126. i guess obama will live to regret alienating dean. nt

[marlakay]

131. If its not a snub then Obama needs to say something

i like obama but sometimes he seems to forget who got him elected. It wasn't all the people on the right or in the middle who spent hours and hours volunteering and giving money. maybe a few but it was us activists that put him in.

I know he can't keep everyone happy, but come on, the guy who is responsible for the strategy that caused him to win?

That sucks man and I am pissed about it.

[marimour]

134. no he doesn't.

I'm sorry but this is just petty. Obama needs to take time ot from dealing with issues like Gaza and the economy to address a supposed snub of Howard Dean? If Obama knows it was not a snub, and judging from his words, Howard Dean knows it was not a snub then I could give a fuck about what some pouters on Huff Post and DU feel about it. I mean we have more serious things going on in life to remain focused on something so petty.

[jackpan1260]

133. Who decides when Dean has been snubbed?

1. Dean
2. Someone else

If the answer is 1, can you please provide a quote that backs it up?
If the answer is 2, well... we live in different realities.

[Vattel]

137. too speculative for me

who really knows why dean wasn't invited. Maybe he was snubbed, but he was planning to be out of town and the Obama people cite that as the reason he wasn't invited. Is there proof that this is a lie? Or have I got my facts wrong (which happens way too much)?

[ejbr]

138. Ask Kaine directly

Questions for Chairman Kaine

[kristopher]

139. A question about other Obama appointments

During the press announcement of any other Obama appointee was the *outgoing* person in that position present? I didn't see the outgoing DNI or Dir. of CIA on stage today during the press conference, so does that mean that they were also snubbed?

Now the automatic reply of someone intent on supporting a staked out position would be to say that Dean's case is special because he was largely responsible for the Obama win.

A more thoughtful answer would be that perhaps the press conference announcing his replacement wasn't important to Dean or Obama as a means of acknowledging Dean's work. That there is some value to Dean in being present is strictly an *interpretation* by a few individuals; an interpretation that is unsupported by ANY evidence.

I mean really, having the ear of a sitting president may be as much *reward* as Dean wants. I have the impression that Dean isn't a Camera Hog, and that makes me ask why do you think he is the type of person who would want to orient his entire day around standing rigidly on that stage under hot lights for 15 minutes? Do you really think his ego is that wrapped up in getting every possible 'atta boy' that he can garner?

Such an interpretation is, IMHO, pretty demeaning to the very good Doctor.

[Danger Mouse]

140. I disagree.

[Political Heretic]

141. I was really caught off guard by the attitude toward Dean. I thought they would be working togethe

During the primaries I had this vision of a democratic party driven forward by Dean and Obama working together - I foolishly thought their ideas about party direction were similar and complimentary. I have been quite shocked to see how unceremoniously Dean and all of his workers have been shown to the curb.

I don't get it.

[w4rma]

142. I think Obama is hoping folks who supported Dean's plans will quietly just go away.

I'll believe otherwise if I see Obama *do* something otherwise.

[LWolf]

147. True. nt