Iowa DNC delegates throw support to...Dean (Including Vilsack, Pederson)

[BlueInRed]

This one was a surprise to me, given the people involved in the endorsement:

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050202/NEWS/50202012/1001

<snip>
Top Iowa Democrats threw their support for chairman of the Democratic National Committee to Howard Dean today, putting the one-time presidential candidate near the threshold of support needed to win.

Gov. Tom Vilsack and Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson, Iowa Democratic chairwoman, were among eight of Iowa's nine voting members of the Democratic National Committee to endorse the former Vermont governor. Pederson said the key was Dean's demonstrated support for the Iowa caucuses, evidenced by his two-year campaign for the lead-off nominating contest last year.

The backing comes as support for Dean as chairman is nearing the majority of the DNC's 477 voting members. The election is Feb. 12 at DNC's annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C. Joining Vilsack and Pederson were Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, national committeewoman Sandy Opstvedt, national committeeman Ken Rains, state party Vice Chairman Rob Tully and Grinnell College student Grant Woodard, president of College Democrats of America.
<snip>

[CoffeeCat]

1. Interesting...

I find all of this very interesting.

Many DLC-types are coming out for Dean. They worked totally against him during the presidential primaries, but suddenly they want him to head the DNC.

Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack is a good example of this. He supported Kerry wholeheartedly and is "in" with the Clinton wing that has gone more Republican lite as time passes.

I'm really wondering if the Dem establishment isn't putting Dean in the chairman position to prevents him from running in 08.

Hey, if I was Hillary--and planning a run in 08--the first person I would want knocked out of the picture is Dean.

08 will be ripe for a progressive/true liberal win, because Bush will have hoarked up this country so profusely--US citizens will be jonesing for real reform.

Just my thoughts. Then again, I might be smoking my socks.

[BlueInRed]

2. The Vilsack endorsement came as a big surprise

I also noticed they talked about the Iowa caucuses in another article (http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1044834&t=Nation+%2F+World&c=26,1044834). It sounded like they might be afraid Howard would alter their caucus system and were kissing up a bit.

I think you're right about Hillary. :)

[CoffeeCat]

3. Maybe Dean shouldn't be head of the DNC...

Maybe this is a ploy to get him out of the picture for 2008.

Those DLC types want Hillary, don't they? They want Republican lite on the ticket for 08. If the Dem establishment backs centrists--then Dean as chairman would mean zilch. His progressive ideas would hit a brick wall against the tide of DLCers who don't like progressives.

Maybe Dean needs to re-think this.

I'd hate to see him in the job--and frustrated. He'd lose some credibility I think--because the Dems could paint him as difficult and feed into the stereotypes many have of him, due to the "scream".

Dean is truly a man of the people. He's not entangled in corporate corruption, like 99 percent of politicians. That's a threat to both Dems and Reps.

[dansolo]

6. We need Dean now

Dean will have a lot more impact as DNC chair now than as the presidential candidate in 2008. If we want any chance of taking back control of the White House and Congress, we need to start the process now. Howard Dean is not driven by a need to be president.

[JI7]

4. Howard Dean supports Keeping Iowa first, Rosenberg opposes it

so it's no surprise why Vilsack and others in Iowa would back Dean for Chair.

[BlueInRed]

5. I wasn't really thinking of Rosenberg, but makes sense

I just thought Vilsack was among those who thought Dean was too liberal for the party. But, given the remaining choices and Rosenberg's position, it does make more sense.

[sendero]

11. I think...

... that is exactly what they are doing.

Problem is, as much as I like Dean, I don't think he'll ever win a presidential election. His true strengths can benefit the Dem party most right in the DNC chair.

I'm sure the DLC folks think they are going to shove Hillary down our throats. They have another think coming.

[IndianaGreen]

7. They probably calculated that it is better to have Dean at the DNC than...

to have him running for President in 2008. They already have their hands full trying to find a way to defeat Hillary in '08.

[mandyky]

8. Vilsack is also said to be considering a presidential run in 08

I think that is why he decided not to be DNC chair (candidate). I like the idea of Vilsack for President, since has has been a Gov of a midwestern state. But he was also born and raised in upstate NY, so that makes him a homeboy for me. I think Vilsack got talked into backing Kerry by his wife in 04. When Dean did a medical care forum with Visack, they seemed to genuinely like each other (during the primaries). Even thoough it did not turn out well, Vilsack also saw the Dean grassroots movement "up close and personal", during the primaries. Dean spent a lot of time in Iowa.

Personally, I'd much rather have Vilsack run for prez than Hillary or John Edwards. Senators with one term do not have the experience necessary to be prez.

[bklyncowgirl]

9. I read somewhere that Dean played a little hardball for that endoresement

Hardball as in support me or I might remember why I don't like the Iowa caucuses. Without the caucuses and Iowa can kiss those ethanol subsidies goodbye.

[BlueInRed]

12. lol n/t

[CWebster]

10. Really....huh

I guess they realized they better get on board before they miss the train completely or Kerry sent out a suggestion to Vislack.