Rosenberg Drops Out of Race for Chairman, Backs Dean

[papau]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBTG9OOS4E.html

Rosenberg Drops Out of Race for Chairman, Backs Dean
By Siobhan McDonough
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) - Activist Simon Rosenberg abandoned his bid for Democratic National Committee chairman on Friday and backed front-runner Howard Dean, moving the former presidential candidate closer to capturing the party title.
Rosenberg's departure from the race leaves a field of three - Dean; Democratic activist Donnie Fowler, who ran the Kerry-Edwards campaign in Michigan, and former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer.

About 430 voting members of the party's national committee will choose a successor to outgoing DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe on Feb. 12.

In endorsing Dean, Rosenberg said, "While we have not always agreed on every issue, I believe his passion for our party, his remarkable fighting spirit, his direct and powerful way of speaking, and his commitment to bringing regular people back into our party will allow him to revitalize our party and help us win again in the 21st century." <snip>

[janx]

1. That's it!

We're almost there!

Rosenberg isn't going anywhere--we need him, and he'll be around. We'll need his help. He's a very smart and hard-working guy.

[LittleClarkie]

17. I hope you're right

That's exactly how I feel too.

I hope Dean will be able to use him.

[janx]

31. Dean has indicated that he respects Rosenberg very much

and hopes to include him should he get elected.

[LittleClarkie]

34. Thanks, most cool

He is indeed a smart man.

I just occured to me that I should start a poll. I think it would do the Deaniacs hearts good to see how many non-Deaniacs are backing their guy for DNC chair.

[janx]

36. That is an excellent idea.

I know that I am gladdened by it. There's hope for this party yet! :hi:

[DaveinMD]

49. I back Dean for Chair

I backed Clark.

[Walt Starr]

2. So basically, it's a three person race

Roemer, Fowler, and Dean.

Right?

[janx]

6. Yes. n/t

[LynneSin]

7. Basically we have Dean and 2 DINOs

And if Dean doesn't win this dem is going green!

[DancingBear]

24. If Dean doesn't win

you'll have company. :hi:

[MaineDem]

30. I don't consider Fowler a DINO

Roemer's a different story though.

Dean will be a great Chair. I have never been a major supporter of his but this is the right job for him!

[AntiCoup2K4]

41. Roemer's beyond Dino - He's a PNACasaurus Rex!

As for Fowler, his main selling point seems to be "I want my daddy's job", and isn't that what we got in the White House right now?

Not that he's as vile as the Chimp, by any means, but if we have learned nothing else from the Idiot Son of an Asshole - or Evan Bayh, for that matter, it should be that genetics doesn't equal qualifications.

[MaineDem]

45. I don't dislike Donnie Fowler

He had some very good ideas. I've spoken with him a number of times and I like his plan. But I like most of what each candidate had to say (except one.)

I can't equate Donnie with George W by any stretch of the imagination. I don't like to see him maligned as much as he has been here but I don't think he's the best choice for Chair. There's a reason many State Chairs are supporting him and it has to do with grassroots organizing and support for state parties. Dean isn't the only one with those goals.

All that being said, Dean will be a great DNC Chair!

[IndianaGreen]

55. Roemer is farther right than Evan Bayh

Not a good idea to have him as DNC chair.

I have nothing on Fowler.

[desertalien]

32. Lots and lots of company!

[calimary]

53. So is this one. Because it'll mean the Democratic Party as we know it

is truly dead. On the Do-Not-Resuscitate list. It won't have anything to offer me. With Dean, it truly will. But then again, I've been a fan of "Hollerin' Howard" for a LONG time. I think if he'd prevailed in the primaries, he'd be president now. He wouldn't have played the "let's all pull our punches and make nice-nice" game like John Kerry did.

[LittleClarkie]

18. Oh my!

Sorry.

Had to.

[txaslftist]

3. Yip pee.

[Guaranteed]

4. Nice.

Is it over yet? :)

[WI_DEM]

5. Fowler probably blew any chance of an endorsement when

he announced that Rosenberg was quitting the race two days ago--rather than having the grace to allow the candidate himself do it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

8. Yup. Didn't reflect well on his political skills either n/t

[last1standing]

9. This shows that Fowler is not capable of being DNC chair.

His ham fisted handling of the Rosenberg situation pushed many people in to Dean's court. I'm glad to have them there, but I'd prefer it if the leaders and leader wanna-bes in our party had a little more class and style than Fowler.

In other news: GO DEAN!!!

[mzmolly]

10. WOOO F-N WHOOOO!

:toast: :beer: :bounce:

[mzmolly]

11. Rosenberg was my second choice, and the ONLY acceptable choice

sans Dean.

Dean or bust baby!

[janx]

12. He's not going anywhere.

If Dean wins this, he'll be very much a part of things.

[mzmolly]

38. Hey Janx!

I am so excited about our next Chair!

:toast:

Rosenberg sounded much like Dean in his vision which is why he was my second choice, but he's still not quite Dean.

I think this party is realizing what a treasure Dean is and it must kill the Republicans b/c can't touch this process, HA!

[janx]

46. We're not there yet...

but it's looking good! Cheers back at you-- :toast:

[mzmolly]

50. True, very true.

:hi:

Cautious optimism over here. ;)

[papau]

13. mine also - I wish he was not sick - we need him.

:-)

[janx]

14. Sick?

?

[papau]

26. I heard this morning that he was ill - my source did not say with what

:-(

[janx]

27. Hope it's nothing serious. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

35. I hope so too

Why did my brain immediately say "Dioxin"? Sheesh. I gotta get out more.

[mzmolly]

39. That's a shame. I hope it's not serious either.

:(

[Zhade]

54. Rosenberg said "the Iraq was was a good thing".

I could never support anyone who said that.

[mzmolly]

56. I wasn't aware he said that.

Guess it's good he's out.

:hi:

[Zhade]

57. Indeed!

:)

[Pam-Moby]

15. Finally we will have someone not afraid to stand

against this repuke agenda!!! GO DEAN FOR PREZ IN 08!!!

[KissMeKate]

16. Im surprised

I thought he was a stealth "lets all get along by choosing this middle guy" candidate.

[KissMeKate]

19. I hope Rosengberg still gets on the team- we need him.

He knows what he's doing.

[janx]

20. My sentiments too. But don't worry--

he'll be there. ;-)

[killbotfactory]

21. Yessssssssss

That is excellent. Sweet.

Vote for Dean and all of your wildest dreams will come true

[janx]

22. Well I don't know that I'd go THAT far, KB...

;-)

[Cha]

25. If we get Dean for the DNC Chair...

I will be pinning some of wildest hopes on him..and I know he'll try his Very Best!

And, we'll be able to communicate with him on it!

[lojasmo]

23. Yeeeearrrrrrgghhhhh!

Fan-freaking-tastic!

[Demobrat]

28. Looks like I'll be changing my party affiliation again.

The day Dean becomes chair is the day I switch back to Dem. Go Dean!

[janx]

29. You might have only eight days left then... n/t

[Demobrat]

37. And I'll be counting every one of them.

nt

[ozone_man]

43. I could feel good about being a Democrat again.

My expectations are high for Dean, but he will need much help in restoring this Party to it's roots.

[TeacherCreature]

33. This is good news, but I hope Rosenberg is well--he is quite young

And has excellent political skills.

I think he was everyone's second choice.

[TheDonkey]

40. Impressive endoresement for Dean

I can't wait to see the New Democratic party. I'm already seeing some of the changes now, we are being innovative and spunky.

Good things are coming!

[Zhade]

42. Guess he realized that most Dems DON'T support the war like he STILL does.

Good fucking riddance.

[paulk]

48. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Dean hires Rosenberg

to work for the DNC. Their ideas on what the party needs to do are basically the same.

And what do you mean by STILL supports the war? I haven't heard that much on how he feels about Iraq now, other than that Bush's handling of the occupation has been a disaster - which was the party platform.

To you have a link to a recent interview?

[Generator]

44. So maybe Chris Heinz did some listening heh?

Maybe they are starting to catch a clue. We don't want the same old same old. It ain't working hombres.

[quaker bill]

47. I couldn't have put it better myself.

"I believe his passion for our party, his remarkable fighting spirit, his direct and powerful way of speaking, and his commitment to bringing regular people back into our party will allow him to revitalize our party and help us win again in the 21st century."

This is exactly why Dean is, by far and away, the best choice.

[mzmolly]

51. Beautiful and accurate remark QuakerBill.

Thanks for highliting it. :hi:

[Democrat Dragon]

52. w00t w00t!