Time's The Swampland. Karen Tumulty posts. Also makes interesting comments on Dean's situation.

[madfloridian]

She quotes from The Politico at the The Swampland.

Just a snip, it's been posted here before.

The obligatory praise did little to placate Dean loyalists, and the mention of Emanuel, who Dean famously clashed with when Democrats took back Congress in 2006, felt like a gratuitous slap to some.

But Dean likely didn't see the event. Instead of basking in accolades from the president-elect and his own successor in person, the chairman was in American Samoa, completing his effort to visit every state and territorial Democratic party.

It's a trip, his backers say, he would have gladly rescheduled to have been present for the Kaine announcement. It's hardly the victory lap his allies expected—and many of them see it as the final sign of disrespect from Obama forces.

“It's the most puzzling thing I've ever seen in my life,” added a longtime Democrat and friend of Dean, echoing the exasperation and befuddlement many close to him feel about his treatment since the election. “I have tried my best through Valerie Jarrett, David Axelrod and David Plouffe to ask if he ever committed some crime. I don't get it. He's been a good soldier.”

One of those speaking out was Jim Dean who said Howard would gladly have rescheduled.

She posts in the comments section with some interesting bits.

She disagrees with a poster who said Dean would be fine with it

# Karen Tumulty Says:
Friday, January 9, 2009 at 9:42 am

PD: I don't think that would cut the legs out of the story at all. If Dean is magnanimous in public, it doesn't mean that he--or, just as importantly, the people he has worked with, who continue be important to the party--feel that way in private.
.
Nor does it excuse the Obama Team for refusing to make a small gesture that wouldn't have cost them a penny. It is a telling story. I just don't know precisely what it is telling us. Is this Rahm not letting go of old grievances? A signal that Obama's folks want to take the party in a different strategic and tactical direction?

This part shows where some thinking is heading...making a new organization. Interesting.

# Karen Tumulty Says:
Friday, January 9, 2009 at 10:02 am

PD: I don't think this is "gossipy" at all. It was either a screwup or a signal. Also, the chairman -- at least when you have one who is of the same party as the President -- is not really a strategist.
.
The other interesting thing here is that Plouffe is staying out of both the White House and the DNC, so that he can continue and grow Obama's own political operation. What does that mean? Is this the development of a whole separate party machinery? And what does that say about the role of the DNC? Who gets the resources, when it comes right down to it?
.
Interesting questions, don't you think?

She has thought along the same lines many of us have.

# Karen Tumulty Says:
Friday, January 9, 2009 at 10:27 am

PMC:

Okay, here's why this caught my attention. Obama picked as his WH chief of staff a guy who fought bitterly and publicly with Dean over the 50-state strategy. This comes after Obama runs a campaign that looks very much like Dean's 50-state strategy, but with lots more resources. Meanwhile, the guy who ran Obama's campaign decides to stay out of both the White House and the existing party machinery. I'm just saying it is interesting. Do I know precisely what the game plan is? No. Am I likely to any time soon? No. Is it in their interest to tell me? Triple no. So, as a political reporter, I am watching "signals." I'm not dissing anyone here; I'm trying to discern what the shape of politics will be in the next four to eight years.

Oh, yeah, Karen Tumulty, some of us are also. Just a small gesture would have meant a lot.

[Kittycat]

1. Rahm wasn't hired to run a campaign. Just thought I would point out the obvious.

and how it's irrelevant to Obama's re-election campaign.

[madfloridian]

3. Where does she say that? She said WH CoS

?

And what is done in the end with the DNC is of interest to all. Will it get to keep Obama's database? Or will it all stay in his hands? It's interesting.

[Kittycat]

8. She references Rahm being opposed to the 50 state strategy, as if that has relevance in his current

role. It doesn't matter what Rahm's beef with Dean is, because he wasn't hired to use him for those reasons. Rahm was hired because he's a hard ass that will put people in their place, for the President.

[madfloridian]

9. It does matter what his beef was with Dean. Rahm's the gatekeeper.

He's quite a powerful man.

[WinkyDink]

18. Let us not deny the role of feuds in politics. IF BOTH MEN had been given at least a sop,

then fine.
But of the TWO, Obama rewarded ONLY RAHM.

Oh, yes, no message there. Nope.

[Freddie Stubbs]

70. And Obama picked Emmanuel rather than Dean to serve as CoS

I wonder why ;)

[elleng]

4. WHAT's irrelevant to O's re-election campaign?

that rahm is at his right hand, every day of the week?

[roguevalley]

51. I don't know what the hell is going on here but if Rahm is playing pissy politics

over old grievances then fire him now. This has to be about the country and if he's going to -if he has- mess around with this kind of bullshit, he needs to go. Dean put my crimson state in play and for that he is a god. Rahm Emannuel hasn't had Dean's record in elections and never will.

[paulk]

60. do you really think that if Emannuel did anything

which isn't even proven, btw - he would have done it without the knowledge and approval of Obama?

[madfloridian]

2. She made points that were new to me....esp. the one about Plouffe

I had heard reporters were watching how this went...interesting.

[emilyg]

5. Kick for a small gesture.

[madfloridian]

7. Amen for small gestures that mean so much.

:hi:

[saracat]

53. Kick! small gestures mean a lot.

[madfloridian]

6. Some think there is consolidation going on under one umbrella.

I think some reasons for the upset is that more suspect what is going on. Not sure it would be wise.

[madfloridian]

10. Couple more comments from her....

"# Karen Tumulty Says:
Friday, January 9, 2009 at 9:32 am

I would be shocked if Dean had anything to say beyond what he said to his brother. It is not in his interest to look like a crybaby, and he's also more magnanimous, I think, than people give him credit for being. I'm still on vacation, now down in Texas, but will make some calls when I get back."


"# Karen Tumulty Says:
Friday, January 9, 2009 at 10:38 am

Andy:
.

"as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know."
.
Pure comedy gold."

[democrank]

11. Kicking for Howard Dean.

Thank you, Gov.

[Jim Sagle]

12. Obama ran a 50-state strategy SEPARATE from the DNC, and it worked.

Now his campaign king strengthens this separate org while his new handpicked DNC chair is rumored to be ready to kill the DNC 50-state strategy.

Is Obama killing the Democratic party and replacing it with his own personal apparatus? Is that why he channeled Reagan so often? Is that why he stiffs the party base every chance he gets? Is that what he meant by post-partisanship at a time when a partisan approach would have yielded a massive landslide?

Interesting times.

[Kahuna]

13. Who gives a fuck! This election was NOT about Howard Dean. It

was about taking our country back. PERIOD. We accomplished that. We. Not just Howard Dean. Not just his followers. We, who are 70 million strong across every ethnic, social and religious affiliation in America.

[Onlooker]

14. We haven't taken it back ...

... when the president-elect disses someone like Howard Dean, embraces trickledown economics (tax incentives to corporations) and Reaganomics (tax cutting), ignores Gaza, and chooses the anti-gay, anti-women Rick Warren. We elected Obama, but if we continue to kiss his ass, he'll continue to drift to the right.

[crispini]

15. WORD

[tomp]

16. he has already "drifted" (before the election)

still waiting for change.

[high density]

25. I dunno why everybody here feels the need to defend Howard Dean

from something that he doesn't need to be defended from in the first place... Dean did a great job as DNC chairman and he knows it. He hasn't been slighted by Obama yet everybody is trying to make it like Obama's team is out there every day throwing ball bearings into his path or something.

[madfloridian]

26. With the possible exception of women and gays...

otherwise all is well.

:shrug:

[emilyg]

57. I give a F***. We have taken nothing back.

[Skidmore]

17. It makes sense and

I have always been a Dean supporter and continue to be. I am also an Obama supporter and I don't think what Obama is doing is not without merit. Speaking from my own personal experience with the local party establishment, there was a lot of firmly entrenched people who would not readily open the doors to new ideas and new people. Actually there was a meeting that was openly hostile toward new people and volunteers to work were turned down from the group. The Democratic Party needs to have some housecleaning done and part of that is realigning factions. I hope the cobwebs will be swept out and the windows opened wide. We need to clean house and this is a smart way of doing it. Howard Dean succeeded because we made sure of it. Obama succeeded because we made sure of it. Howard Dean deserves recognition and respect from all Democrats, including Obama.

[Kahuna]

19. Howard Dean has Obama's respect. What he's not getting is an ass-kissing

which is what some DUers seem to want. A lot of people deserve respect.

[Skidmore]

20. Look, I'm simply trying to make a comment reconciling the two

camps and based on my own personal experience. I do believe Obama has a long-term strategy here, and one that I'm not necessarily at odds with. If you have something constructive to add to my observation, then do.

[MasonJar]

39. Exactly how has Obama shown Howard Dean respect? Please list

and be specific. I notice several and obvious examples in which simple, unobtrusive and "costing Obama nothing" acts of common courtesy (see above) were withheld, but I know of no appreciation of or recognition of Dean and his monumental, history making contribution to the Democratic Party by our PE. It seems Obama is under the influence of the crafty Rahm, perhaps I am wrong. Whatever the reason Obama's treatment of Dean is undeserved, and frankly it is miserable politics. Why is Obama beginning with such outlandish affrontery to women and gays (ergo Warren) and the multitudinous dems who admire and support Dean? It makes no sense, but as a woman and a Dean fan, it puts me on my guard...big time. I was a Kerry supporter in 2004, but I think that Howard Dean deserves all our kudos for his tireless work on the behalf of our party.

[karynnj]

61. I second everything you say so well here

In 2005, Kerry and Cinton had an event - that CSPAN covered thanking McAuliffe for his work as DNC head. Kerry had reasons to be unhappy with McAuliffe, but it didn't stop him from honoring the work that he did do - raising a huge amount of money for the DNC.

(link to post with link to CSPAN coverage)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8070630#8071038

[emilyg]

54. O needs to show some of that respect.

[emilyg]

55. O needs to show some of that respect.

[bertman]

27. Skidmore, ditto on being a Dean supporter and an Obama supporter AND on the

entrenched party apparatchiks who did not want to yield an inch to Obama's volunteer army and still don't. Some of those folks have been deep in the party apparatus for decades. They view the party as a fiefdom and do not take kindly to meddling from outsiders (new recruits garnered by the rush of enthusiasm for Obama). This is a battle that is going on now within the Democratic party that could knee-cap any chances for future gains if it is not dealt with successfully and diplomatically.

The meme that Obama highlighted and capitalized on was that he wanted his government to be directed from the bottom (we, the people) upward. The existing Democratic hierarchy at the local, state, and national level is probably going to be the second biggest obstacle to that phenomenon taking hold, second only to the entrenched special interests in Washington.

How much of President-elect Obama's agenda is being affected by the responses to his transition website questions? Is that simply a diversionary tactic to make those of us who got involved feel like we are not being ignored--when, in fact, we really are? Only time will tell, I suppose.

Your comments about the factions needing to be realigned sounds like an excellent strategic move, and maybe the perfect job for Plouffe.

I agree with you and Madflo that Obama needs to give Dean some seriously-overdue recognition and respect. IMO he earned both.

[suzie]

52. The entrenched party apparatchiks also did not want Dean in 2004.

There was a lot of internal maneuvering to try and keep Dean from getting the nomination, especially early on, before the Iowa primary.

While Dean may have been responsible for the 50 state strategy, many of the people who are deep in party affairs were probably not any more loyal to Dean than to Obama.

[NashVegas]

21. The Obama Campaign Ran On Symbolism. How Can They Not Imagine These Acts Would Be Interpreted

Symbolically?

[Skwmom]

22. Emanuel is a puzzle.

I remember his "public" pondering of taking the position. For someone as experienced as he is, his public agonizing over taking the the position made no sense. The same with Bill Clinton and his "we never asked for this" when Clinton as SOS was first floated. The Clintons taking over the state dept (and some of the other appointments) had to be part of a brokered deal to get the Clintons on board for the election. Newsweek reported the Clintons were playing hardball right up to the convention and per the NY Times, John Bolton predicted the Clintons would get the state department in July. I can't help but wonder if Emanuel was part of the deal, someone both camps could agree upon to make sure the "terms" of the agreement weren't violated.

Of course, after the IL Gov scandal broke, the public comments by Clinton and Emanuel made a heck of a lot of sense. We sure wouldn't want anyone to think these positions were granted as part of a brokered deal. Only corrupt politicians like Blagojevich would engage in such shenanigans.

[madfloridian]

23. Your last paragraph...

Very astute IMO.

But I never put much stock in my opinion round these parts.:eyes:

Good points you made. :hi:

[cachukis]

24. Methinks there is money involved.

The DLC was always about rewarding their constituency ala the Republicans. I feel confident that Dean slight/overlook is more than symbolic.

[AtomicKitten]

28. This still sounds speculative and subjective ... "according to Dean loyalists."

I understand the trepidation about Rahm Emanuel, but it's quite a leap to blame him for this allegation. There are way too many assumptions at play here. I understand the disappointment in Dean not landing a plum gig, but Obama has been nothing but gracious, to a fault many would say, and I just don't see this alleged slight.

:shrug:

[Jennicut]

29. Speculation means nothing. Obama is going to start his own party now, did you hear?

Its getting a bid ridiculous now. Rahm is going to be a good chief of staff and will be tough, that is why Obama hired him. I love Dean too. MAybe they don't get along and Obama is trying to get along with both of them? Who knows? Speculation is just that.

[AtomicKitten]

30. Obama has praised Dean effusively, as well he should.

It seems to some the disappointment of Dean not landing a gig combined with the long-felt antipathy toward Emanuel equals a diss of Dean, and apparently unnamed sources are more than happy to throw gas on that accusation. This is cult of personality politics, and this choosing up sides over what in my view is an unsubstantiated allegation is divisive.

[Jennicut]

31. I like them all really though I am more liberal then Rahm

I guess its hard for strong personalities to get along. Dr. Dean will always be loved by us and heck, he can come to CT anytime he wants!

[madfloridian]

32. It's about respect, not a position.. I never expected he would get one.

I like the term Tumulty used....."small gesture."

There has been a shut out, and that is all it would have taken for me to be happy about all of it....just some respect and recognition.

"small gesture that wouldn't have cost them a penny."

It's not about a position where I am concerned, it is about respect. There has been none given where it was deserved.

[Jennicut]

33. Yeah but none of us know what the real deal is. I don't like speculation.

Its close to gossip, which is fun but not reliable.
Obama liked Mr. Dean's ideas, he used them in the campaign. I don't see how Obama will now forget the DNC exists. The DNC is also different when the Dem party is in charge. I wish Rahm and Dean could get along but... It seems like Obama is caught in the middle here. He wants Rahm for a job and yet respects Dean and his ideas.
By the way, are you from Vermont? As a New Englander, I love it there. I wonder if Dean will go back.

[janx]

35. It's not "close to gossip"; it IS gossip.

So much of what passes itself off as news is gossip. This is nothing new. "Sources say" or "sources close to so-and-so have said" equals gossip.

The tone of gossip pieces is a tip-off, too, but when sources aren't cited, there's no question. The two factors are both present in most cases.

Edited to add: And when you read something that turns out to be speculation about somebody else's unsourced speculation, it gets REALLY bad.

[Jennicut]

36. Agreed. I think gossip destroys people's lives.

[AtomicKitten]

34. Obama has shown him respect with his effusive praise.

No, he didn't get a job in the administration, at least not yet, but that and the antipathy toward Emanuel do not substantiate the claim being made by what is termed the "Dean loyalists" in just about every write-up of this brouhaha I've managed to ferret out.

Obama has been gracious, but some have decided it's not enough, that measure subjective.

[dsc]

40. Gracious people don't fire your ass and wait until you are in Pago Pago

to hold a public announcement of that fact.

[AtomicKitten]

44. that's nonsense; in fact, Obama asked Dean to stay on til the election was over

DNC Chair is not nor has ever been a permanent position; the suggestion otherwise is ridiculous. Please do yourself a favor and Google this because you clearly have no clue about the tradition of this particular position.

Obama asked Dean to stay on until the election was over, and praised him EFFUSIVELY for the wonderful job he did during his term.

The cult of personality hyperbole on this is flat-out ridiculous.

[madfloridian]

37. "Is this the development of a whole separate party machinery?"

That is one of the main issues Tumulty brings up.

It's a good question.

[dorktv]

41. This worries me as 2010 is the time we need to have as many state leges as we can get.

That is the election that will lead to the redrawing of the congressional district lines and if Texas has shown us anything it is that the Republicans will not give an inch on them.

And if they do that-2012 could be a bloodbath for Dems unless with have a multitude of factors coming into play that work, including and probably most important the district lines.

Does Obama realise this? And since he is now the head of the party for all purposes, will he be able to allow Kaine to do the job that needs to be done?

[AtomicKitten]

43. Obama created "separate party machinery" when he entered the race because he had to;

Clinton owned the Dem party machinery.

Obama is now head of the party. Lotsa people sharpening their elbows, but he won that spot fair and square. Again, I am not getting your insinuation (nor Tumulty's).


:shrug:

[madfloridian]

45. It's all well and good.

AK, I have had many posts locked lately when they are turned into flamefests. I see it starting below so I must back off.

You have a total right to accept it all and not question.

I must leave now so I don't react.

[janx]

46. MF, you know that I have always admired your dedication,

but please don't be misinformed by gossip media. They're literally banking on Deaniacs like us to react to this crap.

[madfloridian]

49. I sent a pm but want to respond here also.

What is happening in this situation is that those who post about this either are going to have to accept the mocking or just not do it. You and others have made it sound as though posting about it is embarrassing some of you. Even Jim Dean said there were problems. Read my post about it. In this post Tumulty is criticized for noticing that it is an odd thing that could have been kept from happening simply by a simple effort of acknowledgment...that costs nothing at all. So if I am over reacting then so is Jim, and so is Karen Tumulty and numerous others.

It's rather a shame to see a topic shut down when it is a sensible one and shut down by humiliation and ridicule. I was not going to post back to this thread, as I have had 4 locked since early Dec. because they were turned into flamefests...though my original post was not attacking at all.

You know how I feel? He was our interim party leader and he deserved better than not being invited to the change over of the leadership.

Ridicule works, and shaming people into silence works well also.

[AtomicKitten]

47. Okay, I can understand that.

I just feel compelled to rescue you from this negative whirlwind reactionary shitstorm based on not very much.

You are right: Some people don't know how to debate without interjecting thread-lockable attacks and rhetoric. And that's a shame.

Peace.

[blm]

38. In my view, Obama hasn't been the samee person since his first meeting with Bush after the election

Anyone who thinks BushInc wouldn't dare threaten an incoming Dem president and his family is ignorant of the extent Bushes would go to prevent full exposure of their crimes.

[emilyg]

56. Threaten him with what?

[blm]

64. Well, Palast reported some years ago that when Bush took office, Blair was informed that if

he didn't cooperate with Bush's agenda they would assure GB's economy took a major hit. Back in 1993 when BCCI matters were being deep-sixed, those of us paying attention heard that Greenspan told Clinton that if BCCI matters were fully revealed the entire world economy would collapse. Now I believe we heard that as an excuse for why Clinton didn't follow up on those matters in lieu of the truth which was that Clinton's cronies like Jackson Stephens were also Poppy Bush's cromies and were heavily involved in BCCI, too.

Bottom line...Bush's are capable of any type of threat you can think of.

[emilyg]

67. Interesting. Thanks.

[EraOfResponsibility]

42. *plays violin* n/t

:nopity:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

48. chief of staff job entirely different from Party Chairman job

this is just more democrats in a circular firing squad

[madfloridian]

50. That is not at all what I said, or what Tumulty said.

It has nothing to do with any position per se.

[Me.]

58. It Does No Good For You To Upset Yourself Over This Right Now

Howard Dean did a beyond Fabulous job as DNC head. He was tireless and unstoppable, giving of himself unselfishly to the job at hand. And it worked, despite the backbiting of Rahm, Carville and Chuck Schumer. Success is the best revenge and no one can take that away from him.

As for a position for him, I would've loved to see it because he is a rare combination of a visionary who knows how to get the job done. HD will still be contributing to the world and just like Al Gore, he doesn't have to be part of the admin to do it. There should've been a ceremony, or moment, for Dean. After all if a dinner can be given for McCain....

However, right now the euphoria lingers, the afterglow of the win that we needed so badly and worked so hard for and there will be few ears who want to hear anything that steps on that mood or seems contrary to the prevailing optimism. Let the party go on, for a while at least, reality will settle in too soon, especially after having suffered through the last 8 horrible years.

I've come to think of progressives as the party's visionaries. They aren't always right but, as David Sirota pointed out, they have a damn good record of being able to see beyond the accepted meme as well as a great ability to see what train is coming down the track before anyone else. But theirs is not always a welcomed perspective, when what so many people want right now is hope that things will get better and that the wrongs that have been committed in the past 8 will be set right.

Obama has and will make mistakes but more than anything we need him to succeed. As for HD, I'm interested in seeing what the good doctor does next. Whatever it is, I know it will be something he and we, on his behalf, will be proud of.

[madfloridian]

59. I find it important that I speak up.

I think it would have been so easy to just not let this happen.

It goes deeper than just having a party for someone.

It was not just a snub of him, it was a snub from the DC insiders to those of us who are activists.

Was it Obama? Was it those around him? I don't know. Probably the latter, but it would have been so simple to keep it from happening.

The euphoria should be there for all the party, even the ones who are not considered insiders. Even the ones who think post partisan is not a good idea.

I am not worrying myself, I am kicking myself and hubby is kicking himself because for 5 years we thought we mattered.

It's okay. We are strong people.

[Me.]

62. By No Means Should Voices Be Silent

There have been things since the election that I have found worrying. The most recent was when Biden said we should let the past be and essentially not vigorously pursue the torturers and those who formed the policy. I agree with John Dean that this is an issue that we ignore at our peril. Then there is the Warren matter. So I am biding my time as I don't think any of these concerns will make a dent or be heard at the moment.

Time will come when your voice will be heard again. Dean didn't let derision stop him and I'd bet any money he isn't kicking himself and neither should you.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

65. I get that

your post is great. I am just pointing out that a person who is terrible in one
position may be good for another.

[madfloridian]

66. Rahm said not to let liberal wing have much say...2006...WP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/07/AR2006110701697_pf.html

"The complexion of the Democratic presence in Congress will change as well. Party politics will be shaped by the resurgence of "Blue Dog" Democrats, who come mainly from the South and from rural districts in the Midwest and often vote like Republicans. Top Democrats such as Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) see these middle-of-the-road lawmakers as the future of the party in a nation that leans slightly right of center.

In private talks before the election, Emanuel and other top Democrats told their members they cannot allow the party's liberal wing to dominate the agenda next year. Democrats will hold 30 or 35 seats that went for Bush in the past, meaning that Democratic candidates such as Brad Ellsworth in rural Indiana are likely to face competitive races again in 2008. Still, their interests are likely to collide with those of veteran liberals such as Reps. Henry A. Waxman (Calif.) and John Conyers Jr., (Mich.), who will chair committees."

Rahm does not like activists. He does not like "liberals". In any Democratic position that is not a good thing.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

68. since Obama is "hands on" and will actively lead policy

we should be ok. But if not, the average length of service for WH COS is just about 2 years.
I love Howard Dean, but I can't see Howard as being a sort of Admin/Gatekeeper for Obama.
Dean has ideas of his own. Frankly he should have been President in 2004, but then our primary
system really sucked.

I acknowledge what you say about Rahm's opinions, and the fact that Obama won the election
sort of undermines some of what Rahm believed in 2006.

His main job is to be a pitbull for the President.

Job duties
The roles of the Chief of Staff are both managerial and advisory and can include the following

Select key White House staff and supervise them
Structure the White House staff system
Control the flow of people into the Oval Office
Manage the flow of information
Protect the interests of the President
Negotiate with Congress, other members of the executive branch, and extragovernmental political groups to implement the President's agenda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Chief_of_Staff

[madfloridian]

69. That has not been my point. Point: Dean should not have been snubbed...

by not being invited to the change over announcement. Period. Bottom line.

It was just like in 2006, the whole party gathered on C-Span to celebrate their win. Dean was not invited to be with them as they cheered themselves.

His name has not been mentioned by party insider leaders except as an afterthought, and ONLY if they are asked about him.

My post is NOT about his getting a position. Rahm was chosen to send a message not only to Republicans but even more so to the activists of the party and especially to those of us who supported Dean. His choice said the party was distancing from us. Bottom line.

The man who was our interim leader for four years we had did not really have one was lectured and told to shut up by Congress as they voted with the Republicans.

Dean has been effectively shut out of the national party leadership. He has been ridiculed here at DU.

I hope he now realizes that all his good soldier stuff made no difference at all...and I hope he raises hell like he used to do.

[hulka38]

63. Re Dean: you can do everything right but if you're not inside then you're outside.

[madfloridian]

71. Looks like Tumulty might be right about Plouffe heading Obama's group.

So the question is will they keep the Obama list separate from the DNC or will they combine?

It's a good question.

[madfloridian]

72. Today he speaks more about it.

Dean ends 3 decades of politics.

He admits he was interested in job in government, and he "punts" when asked about the anger from his supporters. At least he did not deny it all any longer.