Commentary: Dean's 50-state strategy is a paying off right now

[Douglas Carpenter]

Commentary: Dean's 50-state strategy is a plus for Obama

By Roland Martin, CNN Contributor

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/28/martin.election/index.html

(CNN) -- If Sen. Barack Obama is able to prevail over Sen. John McCain on Tuesday, all of those Democrats who ripped Howard Dean's 50-state strategy over the last four years should call the head of the Democratic National Committee and offer a heartfelt apology.

First in line should be New York Sen. Charles Schumer, Chicago, Illinois, Rep. Rahm Emanuel and my CNN colleague, political strategist James Carville.

When Democrats were in the final stages of winning back Congress in 2006, those three were at odds with Dean, saying he should forget about his pie-in-the-sky plan to have the Democratic Party competitive in all 50 states.


snip:"If Democrats are going to achieve success on the national level, they must have significant enthusiasm on the local level. It's hard to get your supporters ginned up for a national campaign if they see no infrastructure, especially local get-out-the-vote operations.

When Obama announced that he was implementing a 50-state strategy, he was laughed at. But here we are with six days left in the campaign and the Republicans are having to spend precious dollars on ads in Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada, GOP locks in past elections.

Obama deserves a lot of the credit for this because his "change" campaign theme, along with the horrible leadership of Republicans nationwide, is helping his candidacy. But changing the attitude among the nation's Democrats was also vital, and that's where Dean played a role."

snip:"Old pols always said that all politics is local, and the only way for a revitalized Democratic Party to expand its reach nationally is by re-branding the party on the home front. That takes time, money and leadership, and Howard Dean was willing to put his money where his mouth is."

Editor's note: Join Roland S. Martin for his weekly sound-off segment on CNN.com Live at 11:10 a.m. ET Wednesday. If you're passionate about politics, he wants to hear from you. A nationally syndicated columnist, Martin has said he will vote for Barack Obama in November. He is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith" and "Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America." Visit his Web site for more information.

link:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/28/martin.election/index.html

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[Le Taz Hot]

1. Dean's 50-state strategy worked in 2006

as well -- this is just the 2nd half of the sea change. I hope to hell Obama keeps Dean EXACTLY where he is.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Over Rahm's strenuous objections...

...which he now takes credit for.

:eyes:

[elizfeelinggreat]

2. Howard Dean

is a hero. :)

[fla nocount]

3. Dr. Dean has had the DLC in his sights since 2004...

the 50 state plan was his weapon of choice. I hope he stays put as well and uses this organ in future primaries to drive the DINO's to extinction. Howard seems to share Skinner's vision of "progressive, left-leaning," candidates.

[madfloridian]

5. Good for Roland Martin. Unfortunately, Carville will never apologize for his attempted coup.

He went on the TV at least twice, and had more commentary as well. He made getting rid of Dean a special project...and he went so far as to admit that Rahm and the Clintons were complicit.

He never expressed regret at all.

Paul Begala only went so far as to say that Dean hired people to stand around and pick their noses

He said this before the 2006 election:

"Yes, he's in trouble, in that campaign managers, candidates, are really angry with him. He has raised $74 million and spent $64 million. He says it's a long-term strategy. But what he has spent it on, apparently, is just hiring a bunch of staff people to wander around Utah and Mississippi and pick their nose. That's not how you build a party. You win elections. That's how you build a party."
- Paul Begala on Howard Dean and the DNC's 50 State Strategy,
CNN - May 11 2006

So here's a big shout out to all the nose pickers. They have done a good job.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. one kick for the next shift

[EFerrari]

7. Big K&R for Dr. Deam.

:hi:

[MissMarple]

11. Is that Dr. Dean or...Dr. Dreamy?

;) And, no, not McDreamy. I admire Howard and what he has done for the Democratic Party. His strategy has really helped in Colorado. Thank you, Dr. Dean!

[EFerrari]

12. When we get universal health care, my typing will improve!

lol

:)

[Usrename]

8. Kick for Dr. Dean.

We could have never gotten rid of Lieberman without a strong national chair. He is the real hero of the Democratic comeback.

[malaise]

9. Howie Dean rocks

Fugg the three blind mice.

[mzmolly]

10. K and

R. I'm so glad someone is talking about Dean and his contribution to what might be a huge win for Democrats.

[machI]

13. Kick

[Meldread]

14. I've believed this since the beginning.

It is why I supported Howard Dean for DNC Chairman. It is why I opposed the DLC. It was one of the top three reasons I supported Obama over Hillary.

Obama has changed the democratic map. He's going to do for us what Reagan did for Republicans. All these new voters he's brought into the process - they're now Democrats. All of the Republican's that have come over - they're the equivalent of "Reagan Democrats".

The DLC and the Clinton's were happy with a 50 + 1 strategy to victory. I wasn't, and I believe that we should keep on fighting and expanding, and eventually even states like Texas will be competitive in National Elections.

[Meldread]

15. I've believed this since the beginning.

It is why I supported Howard Dean for DNC Chairman. It is why I opposed the DLC. It was one of the top three reasons I supported Obama over Hillary.

Obama has changed the democratic map. He's going to do for us what Reagan did for Republicans. All these new voters he's brought into the process - they're now Democrats. All of the Republican's that have come over - they're the equivalent of "Reagan Democrats".

The DLC and the Clinton's were happy with a 50 + 1 strategy to victory. I wasn't, and I believe that we should keep on fighting and expanding, and eventually even states like Texas will be competitive in National Elections.

[rucky]

16. Nice to see him get some credit for this.

He often has a thankless job.

[bklyncowgirl]

17. Kick for the man with the plan.

He's been keeping a low profile lately and working on the basics. Good for him.