Why Did Dean have to Promise Not to Run in '08???

[DemocracyInaction]

I was not a Dean supporter in '04 but now look at him as the only hope for this party....as long as he stays the 'same old' Dean and rocks the airwaves. But something did send a chill through me (feel I'm getting so old and so sick of fighting). It was reported that as part of all this power brokering to get to be chair of the DNC, Dean had to promise the 'powers that be' that he would NOT run in '08. My heart just sank and not because I wanted him to run. It sank because it said to me that the "powers" will give Dean this slot because he raised a shitload of money that shocked them and because it would appease liberals--and people like us--and make us give bundles again. BUT that in exchange for this job, they would require him to be basically mute and/or they would not do anything he suggested and/or (probably the most likely) they intend to present a candidate in '08 that is somewhat right of the most moderate Republican. Sorry---but something smells like shit to me. We are not going to win the presidency nor Congress for as far as the eye can see because we cannot beat this propaganda media so it does us absoulutely no good to go super-moderate. All we can do is unleash an '04-type Dean to scream and scream and hope that several decades down the line, some young people will hear and begin to fight. Damn these bastards if they are going to silence the voice.

[Warpy]

1. Probably so he could serve a full term as DNC chair

That would be my guess, anyway.

Let's hope he can do a housecleaning and reduce the influence the DLC has had over the party. The results of that influence have been a total disaster.

[indianablue]

3. I agree.

This 'Republican Light' crap that has been going on for the last decade is one the the larger reasons the Democrats have done so poorly.


People go to the poles and have Choice between a Republican and a Republican Light they will choose the real Republican.

The DLC and the GOP ideas on Economics is almost a mirror image of each other.


NAFTA and other anti-American worker treaties had the full endorsement of the DLC and many other Democrats as well. This open betrayal of the American worker has had serious consequences for the Dem's.

[cestpaspossible]

2. He didn't have to, but he did so anyway.

[CindyDale]

4. They have to change if they want any kind of base

It doesn't hinge on a single individual. There's a whole movement, and no, it won't be silenced. There is definitely an opposition, and it will find leaders.

[jfxgillis]

5. Because the DNC chair ...

... is ostensibly neutral and agnostic as between Democratic candidates.

You can how it might be a problem otherwise. The DNC chair could conceivably employ the party apparatus to their own benefit in a primary race.

[blm]

6. DNC chair is for 4 years. If you don't do the full 4 years, what good are

you? It means you only did half the job you promised to do.

The DNC chair sets the battle plan for winning seats and they have to see it through.

I am constantly amazed that so many are still unaware of how politics and governance actually work.

btw....Dean would be the first to tout his record of centrism as a governor. He never governed as a liberal, and anyone who continues to claim he is too far left is repeating RW talking points in the media.

[DemocracyInaction]

7. ahhh, but since it would be thought a 'given' that any DNC chair

would, of course, automatically not be a contender in a future election, WHY was it specifically requested of Dean to promise not to run??? It was reported that it was part of the 'trade off'....so who was playing games??--Dean or the DNC???? The DNC wanted very specific assurance that he would not run again. Oh..and a ps.: Of course Dean was NEVER a liberal; but he played one on TV and that brought in a shitload of money and was the reason I stated that he was not my choice in '04 (old poly sci major that I am).

[Uzybone]

8. Its called trust but verify

Asking Dean to assure the DNC that he wont dump the leadership post in midstream is just common sense. After all the guy has run for president before already.

[LittleClarkie]

14. It was a label he was hung with

Even he made comments like that if people thought he was a liberal, it only went to show how far to the right the party had gone. It seemed to be all part of the RW spin machine.

He wasn't my first, second or even third choice for prez. But I know that much about him. He may have sold his anti-war stance a bit hard, but it was part of what made him unique in the race. Even so, reading what he had to say at the time of the beginning of the war, he sounded more like Kerry than one would think. Both supported an alternate resolution (Hagel or Lugar, was it?), but only one had to vote on anything.

I don't know the answer to your question except perhaps they were worried Dean would try to run anyway, even if it's assumed he wouldn't as Chair. Obviously some of his supporters think it's still an option for 2008, though I think it was a trade off. Get this, can't have that.

[blm]

18. Because Dean ran for prez before, something no other DNC chair nominee

had ever done, so, of course, they would want assurance that he would be more dedicated to building the party for the ENTIRE Dem party and not to win a primary race.

Why so many are anxious to see contrivance where there is logical reasoning remains a mystery.

[LittleClarkie]

9. It's the same problem Hillary's going to have in 06 re-election

How do you get re-elected when your constituents know you don't plan on serving your whole term.

I also agree that if the DNC Chair is involved in organizing things FOR the candidate it would be kinda funky if he also WAS the candidate.

I think that there was a trade off here. If you wanted DNC Chair, you don't get Prez. If you want Prez, you don't get DNC Chair. I also see DNC as needed to remain mostly above the fray, candidate-wise.

I do think as well they wanted assurances that he would serve his whole term, and not have his attention diverted by a campaign of his own.

Not to mention how self-serving it would all look. It would look like Dean did this for himself and not the Party. I for one would be supremely disappointed if I got the idea he did this for himself, to make his chances better in 4 years, and not to help the Party that needs his organization skills and forward-thinking.

[IronLionZion]

12. Hillary will have no problem keeping her Senate seat

and no problem losing the presidential election. People in NY like her, everyone else seems to hate her.

[candy331]

17. Maybe if they were educated by the party and not disdained

because they are not as smart as some, having to spend their time working 2-3 of the Walmart jobs to keep food in their kids bellies.

[LSdemocrat]

10. For one thing the 2008 race is going to start sooner than ever

Potential candidates are already making semi-regular appearances in New Hampshire and Iowa. Pretty soon they'll be spending a considerable amount of time raising money and meeting with organizers. There just wouldn't be enough time to do a good job as DNC chair and run for president.

[IronLionZion]

11. the chairman is supposed to stay neutral during primaries

how can that be if he's running for president? You have to admit there's a conflict of interest right there. The chairman handles fund raising and helps his own campaign?

[liberal N proud]

13. Right now, Dean is at the top of the Democratic Party, He needs to

concentrate on party unity and a plan the will kick some ass on the repukes and take back control of Congress first then the White House. That has got to be his main focus and he can not be distracted with thoughts about running for office him self.
He can do more for the system now than if he planned on running in 08

[buddysmellgood]

15. We need Howard to take back congress in 06. If he pulls that off and

continues to build momentum, it could just be that we all will demand that he run. We will draft him. If no other candidate lights a spark, I think that is what will happen.

[Voltaire]

20. From your lips to God's ear

If Dean can win in '06 then I can see the party DEMAND that he run.

Which is what I wanted him to do in the first place, although I am glad he is where he is now.

[JI7]

16. they all had to

it's one of the reasons Vilsack dropped out early and why others like Mark Warner didn't try for it.

out of those who did run for DNC Chair Dean was probably the only one who might have considered running for President.

[McCamy Taylor]

19. Right decision. He needs to stump for the party and the candidate.

Dean IS the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.

:dem:

[Toots]

21. Don't Worry...Everyone knows Politicians LIE

Promises from a politician are meaningless. They have as much credibility as the USA currently has around the world.