Howard Dean: Vermonter of the Year

[cali]

By Michael Townsend, Free Press Executive Editor • December 31, 2008

Howard Dean certainly will be remembered for his five terms as governor of Vermont. He will be remembered for creating Dr. Dynasaur, the program that affords access to health care for the state’s children. He will be remembered for his meteoric and unique Web-driven campaign for president in 2004.

But this year, more than his term as governor, his health initiatives or his own run for the White House, he will be remembered for his hand in shaping history in what will surely go down among the most momentous presidential elections. Dean laid the foundation for the strategy that helped elect the nation’s first African-American president.

For his role in the historic election, The Burlington Free Press names Howard Dean of Burlington, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, this year’s Vermonter of the Year.

Dean was chosen from among 100 nominations submitted by people in Vermont and beyond, including a few from overseas. David Cain of Burlington wrote in nominating Dean:

“As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, his 50-state strategy was controversial, but its success in the past two elections demonstrated Gov. Dean’s great vision. His pioneering grassroots Internet-based campaign strategy in the 2004 Democratic primaries blazed a trail for President-elect Obama’s transformative campaign. Gov. Dean should also be lauded for his ability to keep fighting after receiving an extremely tough break, which led to his defeat in the 2004 primaries. Undaunted by the loss, Gov. Dean went on to shape the face of American politics at the helm of the Democratic National Committee.”

It was Dean’s strategy as chairman of his party to organize in every state, building a base starting with local activists supporting candidates for local offices. This made the Democrats competitive in nearly every state during Barack Obama’s run for the presidency.


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Hey, that's our Gannett paper. Glad to see the new editor pen this.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20081231/NEWS02/81231004/1007

[thunder rising]

1. There ought to be a national holiday for the guy...Wooo-Whoooo

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Too bad President Change couldn't find a place

in his cabinet for Dean -- who made ALL of this possible with his 50-state strategy. Something Citizen Rahm fought tooth and nail against and then, when it worked, tried to take credit for.

The Party Elite should be on their bended knees thanking this man every day for his organizing efforts. Instead, he gets booted out the back door without even a thank you.

[dkf]

3. I'm upset, but I know Howard is more alpha dog anyway.

I can't imagine him being second banana. He needs to be running some show.

[NashVegas]

8. The Irony Is a Killer

Washington Democrats want to send him back to Burlington and keep him there, while Republicans are getting inspired to try to make future inroads in the Northeast and coasts.

[samplegirl]

4. A big scream for Howard Dean

:wow:

[Larkspur]

5. Congrats to Howard Dean. He's my Democrat of the Year period.

[HelenWheels]

6. Howard's my hero

Did any of you read the snarky comments listed after the article announcing the award for Howard? Really sick.

[2Design]

7. he changed a lot but unfortunately the dems left will undo our wins with their foolish decisions lik

he changed a lot but unfortunately the dems left will undo our wins with their foolish decisions like giving bush the bailout of wall street - they had been 'fooled' or just plain stupid by BFEE before why oh why did they do it again unless they are in cohoots with the line of thinking that is already there.

[hfojvt]

9. Well he's got my vote

The Doctor is in.