Sobering article about why being a DNC chair is not such a great gig

[zulchzulu]

http://slate.msn.com/id/2110985/

RealAudio: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4225331

Snip:

"If establishment Democrats still fear Howard Dean, they ought to elect him chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Not because becoming DNC chair would make Dean, as a member of the establishment, moderate his criticisms of Washington Democrats—though that's certainly true—but because Dean would exert far less influence over the future of the Democratic Party as its titular head than he would as a 2008 presidential candidate."

Personally, I think Dean would serve his goals and interests better by going full speed on his efforts with the DFA than to be in the situation he'd be in as DNC chair.

Ed Rendell's glowing appraisal of being in that position had him say this about it:

""I basically take orders from 27-year-old guys in Nashville who have virtually no real-life experience. All they've done is been political consultants living in an artificial world, and basically their opinion counts more than mine."

Here are the DNC chair leaders since 1848. As you can see, some real memorable names come to mind... :boring:

* Benjamin F. Hallett (1848-1852)
* Robert M. McLane (1852-1856)
* David A. Smalley (1856-1860)
* August Belmont (1860-1872)
* Augustus Schell (1872-1876)
* Abram Stevens Hewitt (1876-1877)
* William H. Barnum (1877-1889)
* Calvin Steward Brice (1889-1892)
* William F. Harrity (1892-1896)
* James K. Jones (1896-1904)
* Thomas Taggart (1904-1908)
* Norman E. Mack (1908-1912)
* William F. McCombs (1912-1914)
* Homer S. Cummings (1914-1916)
* Vance C. McCormick (1916-1919)
* George White (1920-1921)
* Cordell Hull (1921-1924)
* Clem L. Shaver (1924-1928)
* John J. Raskob (1928-1932)
* James A. Farley (1932-1940)
* Edward J. Flynn (1940-1943)
* Frank C. Walker (1943-1944)
* Robert E. Hannegan (1944-1947)
* J. Howard McGrath (1947-1949)
* William H. Boyle, Jr. (1949-1951)
* Frank E. McKinney (1951-1952)
* Stephen A. Mitchell (1952-1955)
* Paul M. Butler (1955-1960)
* Henry M. Jackson (1960-1961)
* John M. Bailey (1961-1968)
* Lawrence F. O'Brien (1968-1969)
* Fred R. Harris (1969-1970)
* Lawrence F. O'Brien (1970-1972)
* Jean M. Westwood (1972)
* Robert S. Strauss (1972-1977)
* Kenneth M. Curtis (1977-1978)
* John C. White (1978-1981)
* Charles T. Manatt (1981-1985)
* Paul G. Kirk, Jr. (1985-1989)
* Ron Brown (1989-1993)
* David Wilhelm (1993-1994)
* Debra DeLee (1994-1995)
* Donald L. Fowler (National Chairman) and Christopher J. Dodd (General Chairman) (1995-1997)
* Steven Grossman (National Chairman) and Roy Romer (General Chairman) (1997-1999)
* Joe Andrew (National Chairman) and Roy Romer (General Chairman) (1999)
* Joe Andrew (National Chairman) and Ed Rendell (General Chairman) (1999-2001)
* Terry McAuliffe (2001- )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_National_Committee

[zulchzulu]

1. Dean as DNC chair would have his hands tied behind his back

If you read this article, you see how the DNC chair is really nothing more than a fundraiser who travels a lot and takes marching orders from the DNC committee.

Based on past history, the level of barking orders about policy (which I believe people who want Dean as DNC chair) are pretty null.

That's why I think Dean should really put his full efforts with DFA.

[blondeatlast]

3. I think you're absolutely right with your last points.

He will have far more freedom to make a REAL, tangible difference with DFA. It's the best place for him to concentrate his skill and passion.

I don't object to him being DNC Chair, either, though.

[blondeatlast]

2. Must reading.

I'm getting my DNC Chair info from DailyKos and MyDD rather than here. Thoughtful discussion with big focuses on pragmatics as well as ideology elsewhere.

[crispini]

4. Oo. do you have some specific linkys

you'd recommend?

[blondeatlast]

5. Neither are anywhere near as user-friendly as DU.

But some very spirited, elevated discussion to compensate for it.

http://www.dailykos.com/

http://www.mydd.com/

[ibegurpard]

6. No reason to oppose him then, is there?

eom

[zulchzulu]

7. Interesting article about comparison of Ron Brown with Dean as DNC chair

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4234096



The late Ron Brown was DNC chair from 1989-1993 and helped get some good results in 1990 and 1992 with Clinton. He was considered a divisive candidate for the position with too many links to Jesse Jackson.

Of course, there are theories about his demise:
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/CRASH/BROWN/brown.html

[fnottr]

8. Could he still head DFA as DNC chair

Or would he not be allowed/not have enough time?

[zulchzulu]

12. DFA and DNC are two different things...

Dean could be doing what he does with the DFA and be the DNC chair...the problem I find is that the DNC chair would be a full-time travelling fundraiser gig where political decisions are more measured and through committees... if Dean is head of the DNC, I'm almost certain he would not be able to run in 2008.

I would imagine the mission of the DFA's best interests would be to have Dean's full attention and the DNC has made it a point that they want someone doing the fundraising gig full-time.

[fnottr]

16. Yeah, I know they're completely seperate organizations

I just thought there might be some stipulation for DNC heads that they can't also run a PAC, or something like that. I agree that he most likely won't run for president in 08 if he's the DNC head, not unless he steps down in 06.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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[zulchzulu]

10. Excuse me, but do you have something intelligent to say?

Otherwise go spread your love somewhere else.

[newsguyatl]

11. mature.

edit: why'd you edit your message? leave that nasty insult up for all to see...

[zulchzulu]

13. Comment on the thread's articles and such

Comment on what the articles are about or piss off.

[Name removed]

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[newsguyatl]

19. before you go, don't forget to check your inbox

:hi: