NYT: Dean Emerging as Likely Chief for Democrats

[BeyondGeography]

By ADAM NAGOURNEY
and ANNE E. KORNBLUT

Published: February 2, 2005

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 - Howard Dean emerged Tuesday as the almost assured new leader of the Democratic National Committee, as one of his main rivals quit the race and Democrats streamed to announce their support of a man whose presidential campaign collapsed one year ago.

Dr. Dean's dominance was secured after Martin Frost, a former representative from Texas, who many Democrats viewed as the institutional counterpart to Dr. Dean, dropped out after failing - in what had become an increasingly long-shot effort - to win support from national labor unions. The A.F.L.-C.I.O. announced instead that it would remain neutral, freeing its affiliate members to do what they want, which proved in many cases to be boarding the Dean train.
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"It's a fait accompli, it's over: Dean's going to be it," said Gerald McEntee, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, who runs the umbrella political organization for all the unions in the A.F.L.-C.I.O.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/politics/02dean.html?hp&ex=1107320400&en=1ecfa02e6b10777d&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[GRLMGC]

1. Thank God

We need to get this over with. I don't want to be in doubt about who has the job anymore.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Excellent!

I can't think of anybody better -- Dean can motivate the grass-roots better than anybody else. He wasn't my first choice during the primaries (though there was always a lot I liked about him, even so), but I really think he's the best for this job. If they pick another insider corporate loser like Terry McAwful the party is doomed. If it's Dean, we have some real hope. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[merwin]

7. The Freeps are trying to pull a Kerry on him, and convincing some Dems!

They're calling him a flaming liberal, etc, etc... spreading bad rumors about him.

Kerry, IMHO, is NOT the most liberal person in the senate. For God's sake, the guy is a catholic who's against abortion. (Yes, he is pro-choice, but he is against abortion on a personal level).

They try to cause a rift in our ranks, and it's working. I hear Air America spouting off crap about Dean on a daily basis that isn't fact-based.

Also, since when was it a bad thing to be enthused about rallying people together and pumping the crowd up? Personally, I found his famed screaming speech somewhat inspiring.

[Maat]

21. Can you elaborate, please, Merwin.

I must have missed it on Air America. Who said what? Obviously, I support Dean for DNC Chairman.

[KissMeKate]

3. maybe the democrats will get somewhere now.

hopefully we will stop losing elections.

[Sterling]

34. Or at least expressing our VALUES and not the freepers!!

I would settle for losing on our actual beliefs not some neo corporate bullshit.

[i miss america]

4. Yippppeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

[progressivebydesign]

5. Cool! Howard "The Spine" Dean is a much needed infusion! n/t

[piece sine]

13. "I hate Republicans."

He couldn't have been more clear about that! Talk about spine!

[merwin]

15. I wish more dems would be that blunt. It would do good.

Many americans don't know how to 'read between the lines', which is what Democrats do very often in order to not offend people.

We have to be blunt, direct, and stick to our beliefs.

[denism]

32. "I hate THE republicans"

Dr Dean said "I hate the republicans"-
the republican machine/party/organization,
the same guys who put up the Swift Boat Liars.

He never said I hate Republicans.
As DNC chair he will reach out
to everyone of CONVICTION that
we can go better than the farrago
of lies, corporations and extremists
that is the Republican party.

... and balance the budget!

[gulfcoastliberal]

6. A spark of hope

Something to be thankful for.

[candy331]

8. Damn do these people always make it up as they go? Yes I guess

they do>

[jhain]

9. I love it!

Finally, something is going the right way.
Maybe Dr Dean can make it all better.

[roguevalley]

10. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read early on that he was

not going for it unless it was pretty assured. We may have a chance yet.
BRAVO!

[hollowdweller]

11. Could the people be taking the peoples party back???

[David Zephyr]

12. The Doctor is In!

:bounce:

[davidwparker]

14. Apparently, but let him get over the finish line first. We

thought he'd be the nominee until the "leadership' gang banged him in Iowa.

[lovuian]

16. Miracles can happen!!!

:bounce:

[WyLoochka]

17. Yeeeaaaaaaaarrrrggghhhhhh

"There were few Democrats in Washington who doubted that Dr. Dean, the former governor of Vermont, was on the verge of taking over the party, with the support of much, though certainly not all, of its establishment."

More from the NYT link in the OP

[imenja]

18. article says Fowler is now Dean's biggest competition

Fowler, in my opinion, is no where near ready to be DNC chair. He doesn't seem that articulate to me. Perhaps in ten years, but not now.

[Politicub]

31. I heard Fowler on Morning Sedition for the first time yesterday

and I wasn't impressed. I agree that he isn't very articulate.

Dr. Dean will be amazing. He's a man for the time.

[RandomKoolzip]

19. Nice! I like this kind of news.

But let's not get too excited before we find out he's cinched it. Remember nov. 2nd?

We could be setting ourselves up for a big disappointment, guys and gals.

[Maat]

20. Exactly. But I am keeping my fingers crossed.

He's my choice for Party Chairman.

[Borgnine]

22. My God.

If Dean gets it, it will be the first time my candidate for something has actually won in over four years.

[Taverner]

23. BIG DEAN SCREAAAAAAAAM!!!!

Please, so mote it be....

[primavera]

24. Finally, a Democrat with some balls!

There may be hope for us yet.

[cthrumatrix]

26. time for debates....Dean vs Shrub

[HarveyBrooks]

25. Oh God...

why in the hell is this good news? Most of America (including me) thinks this guys an egotistical nut! I'll probly get called a freeper for disagreeing with you all but I think this is HORRIBLE news! Even Al Franken can't stand him (actually, I could support Al for it.)

[Orangepeel]

27. most of America couldn't care less who the chair of the party is

it is only political activists and junkies who care at all. And, it is good news because Dean will do a good job with the three things a party chair is supposed to do -- 1) organize (he was an excellent governor), 2) raise money and 3) fire up the base.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ediacara]

29. egotistical nut?

I can understand crazy nut, or liberal nut, but why egotistical?

[Anwen]

30. Oh, please let this be true!

I could use some positive news for a change...

[98geoduck]

33. Let there FINALLY be a VOICE for the party. I would have loved to hear...

his reponse to * state of delusion address.

Pelosi, on dramamine, reading from a cue card and Reid's solem, but eloquent, rebute was enough to put everyone to sleep at bedtime.

[denism]

35. You said it Tom

"After 10 years, you have to wonder if the Democrats are running out of ways to say no'' to Republican proposals, said Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas. "But, of course, if they make Howard Dean their chairman, they can yell it.''

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/02/02/MNGFAB44371.DTL

I for one, can't wait.
NNOOO! you bastards.