Dean meets with Reid, Pelosi

[cestpaspossible]

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean had his first formal meeting Thursday with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) since his ascension to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairmanship has become a certainty. Dean, who is expected to be elected DNC chairman on Saturday, declined to give specifics about the noon meeting, saying that the three party leaders had a "positive conversation." "Obviously, we have a lot of work to do," Dean told The Hill. "Reid and Pelosi have done a lot of remarkable work already," he added.

Laura Gross, Dean's spokeswoman, said that today's meeting was only the beginning. "The meeting that took place today was productive and is the first of many that Gov. Dean will have on a regular basis with Sen. Reid and Leader Pelosi," Gross said.

On his way out of Pelosi's office, Dean greeted several lawmakers, offering promises of what the DNC will do in their states. "We'd like to see your numbers grow in Tennessee," he said to Rep. John Tanner (D), who supported former Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) in the primaries.

As lawmakers and tourists congratulated the onetime presidential aspirant on his presumptive victory, Dean took the opportunity to poke a little fun at himself. "Last time everyone congratulated me it was three days before Iowa," he told a group of visitors.


The Hill

[derby378]

1. Hope he smacks some sense into Pelosi's head

Reid is okay; just a little rough at the edges.