Florida Dems Back Dean as Leader

[HootieMcBoob]

The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Committee has voted unanimously to endorse Howard Dean to be the party's next chairman, bucking an effort to orchestrate an endorsement of one candidate by all 50 state party leaders at the same time later this month.

The decision, announced yesterday by Scott Maddox, the Florida Democratic chairman, is a major lift for Dr. Dean, a former governor of Vermont, and it is a shift in a contest where most Democrats have been holding back from endorsing any candidate in the crowded field.

Mr. Maddox said in an interview that Florida made its endorsement despite some Democrats' concerns that Dr. Dean might not be the right ideological symbol for the party as it tries to regain power because of his liberal views on some issues and fervent opposition to the Iraq war.

"The only knock against Howard Dean is that he's seen as too liberal," Mr. Maddox said. "I'm a gun-owning pickup-truck driver and I have a bulldog named Lockjaw. I am a Southern chairman of a Southern state, and I am perfectly comfortable with Howard Dean as D.N.C. chair." "What our party needs right now is energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to do things differently," he said. "I think Howard Dean brings all three of those things to the party."

Very good news for all those folks (like me :)) who are backing Dean for DNC chair. :toast:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/politics/18dems.html

[Adelante]

1. 50 votes

Good news, thanks :toast:

[David Zephyr]

2. More Great News.

:toast:

[Eloriel]

3. WooHoo

Can't wait for madfloridian to see this, tho I imagine she already knows.

WooHoooooo!