What next for Howard Dean?

[RogueTrooper]

Somebody is looking to get themselves noticed...

hen Governor Dean became Chairman in February 2005, our Party had come through a dismal election cycle. We had just lost a national election to an incumbent president whose approval rating hovered at or below 50 percent. Republicans had gained 3 seats in the House and 4 in the Senate, leading to speculation about the possibility of a "permanent Republican majority."

Governor Dean's first step was to assess our Party's strengths and weaknesses and put in place a strategy to address those issues. Dean developed a business plan to rebuild the Democratic Party, modernize our operations and expand the electoral map. The emphasis was on lessons learned and best practices, and it included the following key components:

· Rebuild the Infrastructure of the Party - After assessing the needs on the ground, we hired full-time permanent staff in all 50 states, trained staff and activists, introduced new measures of accountability, and developed a unified technology platform. Over the past four years we've held 140 trainings for candidates, campaign staff, organizers, Party leaders and activists in all 50 states.

· Upgrade and Improve the Party's Technology/Modernize the Way We Do Grassroots Organizing - Over the past four years the DNC has made significant investments in technology, creating a truly national voter file, improved micro-targeting models and developed 21st century campaign tools that merged traditional organizing with new technology

In all the speculation about jobs President-elect Obama's administration nothing has been said about Dr. Dean. What role do you think Obama has planned for the good doctor?

[PBS Poll-435]

1. HHS

I heard a good discussion about it on one of the cable shows yesterday.

[kwolf68]

2. Dean is awesome

I was a big Kerry supporter in the 04 primaries so me and the Deaniacs didn't always see eye to eye, but boy what an awesome guy he is.

[WI_DEM]

3. I'd kind of like him to stay where he is.

[TygrBright]

4. At least one more Congressional election cycle right where he is.

The first Congressional election after a landslide consolidation of power in the hands of one party inevitably results in buyer's remorse and second thoughts in the subsequent election, REGARDLESS of the performance of the party in power.

We need Doctor Dean right where he is to keep the next Congressional election from getting out of hand. We need someone who's worked closely with the best campaign machine of modern times, who's trusted by the people who control that machine, and who can borrow and use from it effectively.

Right where you are, please, Doctor Dean. For now. Start training your replacement so we have a good prospect when you get a plum offer after the 2010 election.

hopefully,
Bright

[Sebastian Doyle]

5. Why would anybody want to remove the man who saved the Democratic Party?

We've come a long way since 2004, but the job ain't done. As long as Dr. Dean wants to keep doing it, it should be his.

[crispini]

6. The good doctor should stay where he is, if he wants it.

Or come to Texas and help us out, Howard! :loveya: We need ya!

[polichick]

7. Did I dream it, or was Howard Dean on msnbc last night, where either...

Rachel or Keith spoke with him about a job in the administration ~ health, education and welfare maybe.

[Fovea]

8. HHS

or Labor, if Reich doesnt get it.

[karynnj]

9. HHS or continuing at the DNC both seem good - one question would be what he wants to do

I can't think of anyone better on HHS - he is both a doctor and has been a governor. Via his wife, he likely can see the problems through the eyes of doctors. But he also did a wonderful job on the DNC - and I think the fact that that position gave him freedom to be as partisan as he wanted suited him.