Dean Emerging as Likely DNC Chair according to New York Times

[ClarkUSA]

"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.

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. Democrats marveled at how someone who had been viewed by some as a symbol of what was wrong with the party - Mr. McEntee described Dr. Dean as "nuts" after he withdrew his endorsement of him in the middle of the presidential campaign - was now on the brink of becoming a face of the opposition to President Bush.

Democrats said Dr. Dean overcame the hurdles of his failed presidential candidacy by intensely courting Democratic leaders, assuring them that he was not the liberal and undisciplined caricature that many said they saw last year. He also freely made the kind of bread-and-butter promises that have always helped politicians win elections, promising to channel at least $11 million in national Democratic money to pay salaries at the state parties, Democratic officials said.

And Dr. Dean pledged that he would bring to the Democratic National Committee the base of young and enthusiastic voters and the generous Internet contributors who helped power his high-flying, if short, campaign for president.

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

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. How much does this sound like the weeks leading up to Iowa?

I am waiting for that shoe. I truly hope for big changes within our party. I hope Gov. Dean can move us along.

[candy331]

3. Hmmm, Did Dean have to sell his soul/others souls for this position?

And Dr. Dean pledged that he would bring to the Democratic National Committee the base of young and enthusiastic voters and the generous Internet contributors who helped power his high-flying, if short, campaign for president.

[janx]

12. We'll see.

I'm 47, and I'm one of them.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. ...and don't forget the more mature, sick and tired voters such

as myself. :hi:

[NoPasaran]

4. There's an important difference

The other candidates are withdrawing one by one and the endorsements they had picked up are flowing in Dean's direction.

[tridim]

5. Exactly what I was thinking

He was supposed to win the Presidency too. I can't help but not to get my hopes up, because my guy always "loses".

[dave29]

8. Now is not the time to be timid

Do not be afraid. The Doctor is In.

[janx]

11. I'm with you, Mrs. G.!

Eleven days to go... ;-)

[dave29]

2. This aint Iowa

Dean has already won all the "primaries". All they (being those afraid to stir the pot, and GOPers) would be doing now is trying to fracture what looks like a slowly uniting party.

Mission Accompli.

[BlueInRed]

6. I'll feel better when the fat lady starts singing

Until then, I am crossing my fingers that nothing changes before the 12th.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. You and me both.

:hi:

[Matilda]

9. This looks good to me,

but can somebody tell me what it means in practical terms? What is
the role of the DNC, and can Dean really have a positive influence
on the way things are currently being managed?

[ClarkUSA]

10. The buck stops at the DNC Chair's desk

From the same article:

"As chairman, Dr. Dean would not only become one of the leading voices of the party, but would also be responsible for raising money and continuing Mr. McAuliffe's effort to build a party organization in preparation for the 2006 and 2008 elections."

I doubt that so many people would be vying for a position that had no power.

Remember, Terry McAuliffe was the one who created the idea of the
front-loaded primary in order to create an immediate frontrunner and he made it happen. McAuliffe did it to favor his friend Kerry and of course, he always kept the pretense that he was neutral even when accused of favoritism.

Let's hope there is a level-playing field in 2008.

[Matilda]

13. But what exactly does the DNC do?

(remember, I'm an Aussie, so not 100% au fait with all your political
organisations).

Does the DNC decide party policy? Do they have an influence in
deciding what candidates will get party backing? Or are they
principally a fund-raising organisation?

[BlueInRed]

16. They do a lot of different things

The ones I know of are:
(1) Fundraiser.
(2) Decide how money gets divvied up.
(3) Appears on talk shows as one of the faces of the Democratic Party
(4) Does a lot of organizational stuff and can help determine if it's a "top down" or "bottom up" organization.
(5) Because of money issues, can impact candidate choices, the way McAuliffe influenced the primaries. (In particular, I'm thinking of Gore not running.)
(6) Helps set up the primary schedule (which this past year was front loaded). This can make a big difference, as we had a candidate basically by March because of the primary setup, in contrast to 92, when Bill Clinton didn't become the "winner" until about June.
(7) Help recruit candidates for state races.

I'm sure there are a lot of other duties, but this is the stuff I've heard about.

[quiet.american]

17. About the DNC

I've had to look this up for myself, too. :)

Here's information from the DNC site under "What We Do":
http://www.democrats.org/about/function.html


The Democratic National Committee plans the Party's quadrennial presidential nominating convention; promotes the election of Party candidates with both technical and financial support; and works with national, state, and local party organizations, elected officials, candidates, and constituencies to respond to the needs and views of the Democratic electorate and the nation.

About the DNC:
http://www.democrats.org/about/

[Zensea]

18. Think of it as a bully pulpit

Not sure if that is an American coinage or not so here's the definition--

bully pulpit

n : a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter; "the American presidency is a bully pulpit"

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Red states voted for Dean Dozen candidates.

That's what he can do for the party.

[Matilda]

21. So the DNC is candidate-orientated rather than policy-orientated.

Thanks all for the info.

[Clark2008]

22. Where?

Not here!

No offense... again, I do NOT have a dog in this fight.

But I am really concerned that Dean doesn't understand the South. Yeah, sure, you guys go on about guys with Confederate flags on their trucks, but do you understand it? Do you get it? It's NOT, btw, about racism.
I could write a whole essay about the rednecking of the South - that occurred, btw, just in my lifetime.

I know he has support among party elites. I'm not questioning that. I just seriously question his ability to raise money - correction: to change MINDS in the South. That's all. (I know he has Southern donors.)

BTW, I don't care if he wins. I don't care if he doesn't. I'm an unbiased observer (as long as it's not Roemer) in this. I just question some of these statements made because I, seriously, don't hear anyone talking about him down here.

[CWebster]

31. Yeah, I think he does

I don't think Dean has elitist airs---and have you ever been to Vermont? It can be an amazingly Southern culture.

[lwin]

19. Do his fans know he's already spending their money?

intensely courting Democratic leaders, assuring them that he was not the liberal and undisciplined caricature that many said they saw last year. He also freely made the kind of bread-and-butter promises that have always helped politicians win elections, promising to channel at least $11 million in national Democratic money to pay salaries at the state parties

Nothing like a little good old fashioned pandering and promising goodies to...ooops...pssst...Howard...your DLC slip is showing...

[thebigidea]

23. nothing like good old fashioned nastiness, either.

So its considered DLCish for a DNC chair to want to put more money in state parties?

Explain that one again.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

24. You don't approve of spreading money to the states?

Well I guess you're against the 50 state campaign. I consider myself a reform Democrat. It's ok if you don't embrace that idea, but I think that you'll be a minority in the near future. The party of concentrating in a few states thats is over. The states and local municipals are important too.

[American Tragedy]

28. I'm more of a "40 state campaign" kind of girl, myself...

The states that went to Bush by 30%-40% aren't reversing themselves anytime soon.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

25. you're being illogical

So you're against every politician who makes promises? I mean if you disapprove of Dean making promises then it must be true that you disapprove of other people making promises. So you're against politicians who say that they are going to uphold the Roe v Wade decision because they are pandering? So you disapprove of people who promise more social programs because they are pandering to the disadvantage?

[lwin]

26. Well, if he doesn't get the DNC job, he'd make an excellent...

Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth
And the truth isn't what you want to see...
In the dark it is easy to pretend
That the truth is what it ought to be...

[last1standing]

32. Losing a debate? Post an an altered pic.

It's a shame that some people here are so anti-Dean that they will stoop to slandering and defaming good Democrats.

[thedailyshow]

27. that is an insanely stupid assertion

Many Democratic state parties are in a state of disorganization due to poor funding and lack of resources. The money will help the state parties get their act together.

[bklyncowgirl]

29. I think they call that politics. nt

[Clarkie1]

20. I sincerely hope it's true n/t

[CWebster]

30. They would be fools not to let Dean insert a backbone

Christ, what more can you ask for?