Obama and the democratic party treatment of Howard Dean is shameful

[WI_DEM]

I'm a strong supporter of President-Elect Obama but the one thing from the post-election period which has left a bad taste in my mouth is his, and the parties, treatment of Dr. Howard Dean, my hero from 2004 and the finest DNC Chair this party has had in some time--if ever.

In his own 2004 campaign and as DNC Chair he radically rebuilt the party. Prior to Dean we were stuck in a strategy of concentrating on a few core purple or blue states--and in a close election that isn't always enough to win. He made sure we made an investment in states like VA, NC, GA, ND, IN, WY, MT, CO--in fact all 50 states, that is why it's called the 50-state strategy.

In 2008 it paid off big for Obama, who also adopted the Dean strategy. But we saw the dividends in 2006 as well. In fact in every election cycle under Chairman Dean the party picked up seats. Between 2006-2008 the Dems picked up more than 50 seats in the House and a dozen in the senate. We gained governorships and state legislative offices even in red states.

What does Chairman Dean get in return? Nothing. Nobody asked him to please stay on at the DNC and nobody offered him a job with the incoming administration. He proved to be a innovative governor and as a doctor perhaps he might have made an effective Sec of Health and Human Services. Where were all the democratic office holders who should have been congratulating Howard Dean on a job well done?

This article sums up my feeling:

WASHINGTON -- When Howard Dean walked in the door at the Democratic National Committee nearly four years ago, the party was in the wilderness and looked ready to stay there for quite some time. George W. Bush had just been reelected and the Republicans had taken control of Congress. Dean got the gig by running an insurgent campaign supported by online activists, and establishment Democrats in Washington were none too happy about it.

When Dean leaves early next year -- he's not seeking a second term -- whoever takes over will probably have it easier. The Democrats now have comfortable majorities in the House and Senate. Dean's "50-state" strategy was essentially vindicated during the presidential election, with Barack Obama investing heavily in, and winning, states such as Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia and Colorado, which all went Republican in previous cycles. And, of course, a Democrat is moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in a few weeks.

If things had gone the way Dean wanted them to go four years ago, he'd be preparing for his second term as president, not leaving the DNC and waiting to hear if he's getting a Cabinet job. But Democratic insiders say he played a big part in the party's rejuvenation, which came about much faster than anyone would have imagined back in the winter of 2004.

"Dean helped Obama and other Democrats prepare for this day," said Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 campaign and remains an influential strategist. "While others lamented our loss in 2004, Dean got to work in devising a 50-state strategy that eventually laid the groundwork for Obama and others to harvest votes in 2008."

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/11/12/dean/

[DebbieCDC]

1. I agree 100%

Obama's win is directly attributable to Dr. Dean's strategy and Obama owes him big time.

[Maru Kitteh]

27. Obama and his team won his election. He doesn't "owe" Dean.

It would be nice to see Dean in a position, if that's what he wants and what Obama wants, but Obama doesn't "owe" him a job.

[blm]

38. Bush and the GOP guaranteed a Dem would win more votes in 2006 and 2008 - Dean guaranteed

that more of those votes would be cast and counted by using his four years to strengthen party infrastructure in crucial states where it had been neglected and left in collapse during the stewardships of the two previous chairs.

If McAuliffe had bother to do that job during his 4yr chairmanship after 2000's theft, Kerry would be preparing for his second term.

[robinlynne]

66. But Obama owes us a decent govrment, and putting Gupta in as head of health

is a slap in the face. Worse, a certain guarantee that the hope of single payer healthcare will die.

[FrenchieCat]

97. Gupta is not Head of Health.

He's not even 2nd in command.....not even 3rd in command.
Gupta is comparable to the Communications Director in the area of Public Health.
He doesn't set the policies perse, he communicates what they are,
and what strategies will be used to get the information out to the public.
That is his primary function.

I'm just encourating that if we are to criticize, we do so utilitizing accurate information,
otherwise, what makes us better than those we criticize?

[robinlynne]

114. Surgeon General.

[liberation]

79. *cough* 50 state strategy *cough*

But yeah, you are right... Obama won the campaign on his own, a true miracle of vacuum. You should have told us, the silly volunteers, who poured our sweat during the general election... so we could have stayed at home, since Obama did not need anyone's help.

[acmavm]

83. Obama and his 'team' wouldn't have won diddly squat without

Howard Dean and his 50-state strategy.

[Mithreal]

87. Your glass is half-full of BS

Nobody is necessarily owed anything except THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!

Howard Dean's organization trained me and I was a regional organizer for Obama. The Obama organization in place made some bad calls, in some areas treated volunteers like disposables, but the grassroots here were able to work around them. The tools on the website were a big plus for the Obama team though, thumbs way up there. My arse, the Obama team. They did great, PE obama did really well, but the landslide conditions were created by Bush and the Republicans and the basic organizing came from Dean's leadership before Obama even came on the scene. How can anyone even say Obama's team like it was an island?

[ooglymoogly]

91. What a load of crap

He doesn't owe Howard anything who, with our (the progressives) help got him elected; With which he would have never in a million years succeeded without. Yet he does owe "Dr" Warren, Sanjay, Lieberman, and the rest of the fascist DINO's his undying support....yeah fer sher dooooood.

[goforit]

98. Bullshit!!!......Dean showed him the ropes like giving him keys to the car!

Between picking an israeli soldier for his chief of staff and a pharmaceutical faux surgeon general his batting average is in the dumps.
Unfortunately Americans once again have to pay the price for "a presidents misteps"

[glitch]

55. Agreed. And if it's some kind of creepy vendetta then I am disappointed. Very tacky

I can't see it coming intentionally from Obama so if it is coming from someone else I hope he looks into it and rectifies it.

edit because facky isn't a word, yet.

[RubyDuby in GA]

113. The vendetta isn't coming from Obama

It's coming from the new Chief of Staff designate.

The moment he chose Rahm E., I knew it was going to be an uphill battle for the grassroots. I was never one of those "in love" with Obama although I was proud to work to get him elected and have great confidence in his abilities. Him throwing Dean under the bus in this manner really has taken some of the shine of his victory for me.

[glitch]

115. I agree on all your points. He appears more mature and to have better manners than most politicians.

Actually most people in general. He certainly doesn't seem petty at all. Several of his appointments have taken the shine off his victory as well, but I understand how he has to placate a lot of people -- I will wait to see how it all pans out.
I cannot tell you how much I hope he truly is as brilliant as claimed.

[madfloridian]

2. Agree and recommended.

.

[FLAprogressive]

3. K + R

[anonymous171]

4. Why does the DLC hate Dean so much? nt

[HelenWheels]

7. Because it isn't one of them

and he doesn't play by their "rules" nor worship at their feet.

[SoxFan]

17. Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

If any governor in America was ever a DLC-style Democrat, it's Howard Dean. He was a fiscal conservative who balanced budgets and streamlined bureaucracy, who courted emerging clean industries and stressed thinking outside of the tired left-right axis. The DLC has actually praised Dean's tenure as governor as well as his leadership of the DNC.

But facts get in the way of the Pup tent Democrats.

[madfloridian]

62. What an insulting thing to say. "pup tent democrats"

Whether you agree or not, you don't have to insult.

[CoffeeCat]

70. Since when are DLCers fiscally conservative?

Oh please.

DLCers are warmongering neocons. They spend as much as their Republican neocon counterparts who also feign fiscal restraint.

Yes, Dean was fiscally conservative. That has nothing to do with the costly DLC agenda--which is more war and a bottomless pit of
money for the corporations.

No one buys that nonsense anymore--from the neocons in either party.

[iamthebandfanman]

74. being a centrist doesnt mean ur buddies with the DLC

it is possible to think for yourself and be a centrist.

the key tho is howard lack of corporate ownership. he serves noone but himself and the american people, not corporations.

[Mithreal]

88. Lame. nt

[fla nocount]

96. Party Monkey.

The only difference in a neo-lib and a neo-con is the pink tutu's that the Dems fancy.

[ooglymoogly]

100. horses ass is the only thing comes to mind reading your loutish "post"

[fla nocount]

101. Counter attack deleted.

Why bother?

[ooglymoogly]

99. My, my, my how the stupid have fallen

Did it ever occur to you that a socially progressive and fiscally conservative can be one and often is one and the same. To be fiscally careless is a fools errand and certainly does not apply to most or any progressives I know. Howard Dean was one such person and is the reason we all respect him so highly.

[ooglymoogly]

93. and that's a fact. nt

[SoxFan]

11. WTF are you talking about?

What does any of this have to do with the DLC?

Oh, that's right. It's another chance for the Pup Tent Democrats to complain.

[ooglymoogly]

103. koooo-wal....puptent democrats....koooo-wal...hey lets

meet up at the old railroad crossing and hock looogies.

[Individualist]

13. DLC hates all progressives.

[anonymous171]

18. But Dean's success is undeniable.

And the DLC is all about "success", even if it means sacrificing progressive ideals.

[Individualist]

24. Of course his success is undeniable

DLC used him, then more or less told him to get lost.

[rhett o rick]

47. First, the DLC does sacrifice progressive ideals because they don't have any.

Second, Dean's grassroots success was a slap in the face to the power players of CorpAmerica. CorpAmerica doesn't want anyone to succeed that isn't aligned with them. We will have to wait and see if Obama favors CorpAmerica and their DLC or the base of the party. So far with the selection of Clinton, Emanuel and Davis, doesn't look too good for the grassroots Democrats.

[SoxFan]

28. By your criteria, Deam isn't a progressive

As governor, he was a fiscal conservative.

He is a deficit hawk.

His economic views are those of a pro-growth Paul Tsongas style Democrat, not a Wellstone liberal.

His 2004 health care plan is almost identical to Joe Lieberman's, having been designed by some of the same policy experts.

What pissed off the DLC in 2003 was some of Dean's campaign rhetoric, when he played to the partisan cheap seats. Neither Dean nor From covered themselves in glory during that kerfuffle, but the fact of the matter is that on most policy issues, Howard Dean is far closer to the DLC than he is to the netroots or the "Progressive" Caucus.

[Maru Kitteh]

31. Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

You silly thing with your wet blanket facts that intrude on people's fantasies. How could you? Think of the children.

[SoxFan]

37. I know, "facts are stupid things"!

But the facts show that once you put his 2003 DNC speech aside, Howard Dean is pretty much a DLC model governor. He's very similar to Mark Warner and kathleen Sebelius.

When Dean ran for DNC chair, i wasn't a supporter. Though not a DNC member, I was part of a group of mostly Gen X elected officials who signed a letter supporting Simon Rosenberg. Rosenberg stressed rebuilding the DNC's organizational base, expanding the playing field to include red and purple states, and tapping the ability of the internet to expand the party's small donor fundraising base.

As it turned out, Howard Dean pursued this very agenda and did a hell of a job as party chair. He didn't blackball people for ideological reasons, stressed a genuine big tent approach, and emphasized the importance of local Democratic organizations, not just the Beltway donors.

[Individualist]

36. What a load of BS!

Your attempt at spinning fall flat on its face.

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

[SoxFan]

41. Do you know anything about Dean's record?

Dean's biggest opponents in Vermont weren't the Republicans; they were the hard left of the Democratic party and the members of the Liberty Union and Progressive Parties.

[Individualist]

49. I certainly do

Dean's opponents were certainly not the hard left nor progressives.

In fact, Democratic insiders ("Washington Democrats," as Dean used to call them) with deep ties to the DLC began funding campaign ads against Dean, hoping to bring his campaign to a screeching halt. http://www.counterpunch.org/frank07082004.html

Until he was assassinated by the corporate media, Howard Dean seemed poised to destroy the DLC’s corporate stranglehold on the national Democratic Party. http://www.blackcommentator.com/87/87_cover_kerry.html

Until he was assassinated by the corporate media, Howard Dean seemed poised to destroy the DLC’s corporate stranglehold on the national Democratic Party. http://www.blackcommentator.com/87/87_cover_kerry.html

[SoxFan]

52. Counterpunch and BlackCommentator?

Nice. Obama-bashing loons.

[Bluenorthwest]

65. The name calling guy!

Great schtick! Are they pup tent loons? Name calling! It's back and it's better!
Why know when you can throw?

[ooglymoogly]

105. Your idea of fiscal conservative is handing over the keys

to the treasury to a self proclaimed conservative as per the last eight years to which the DLC was a gung ho party to....Howard's Idea of fiscal conservativeness is using that money wisely and where it is needed most and to run a tight ship, never forgetting the less fortunate, the programs that heal and elevate, that build a better tomorrow, that take care of the infrastructure....in my book that's a true blue progressive and indeed is my kind of progressive. Who the hell wants to run deficits if they can help it.

[rhett o rick]

45. Here goes. CorpAmerica owns our government. Their 3,000 lobbyists write the bills

and do most of the work for Congress. Howard Dean comes along and mobilizes the grassroots of the Democratic party and succeeds in electing Barak Obama. CorpAmerica was/is not happy. CorpAmerica and the DLC don't particularly like the party grassroots voters because they are notoriously independent. CorpAmerica would have preferred that a republican have won the presidency. Their second choice would be a Democrat that was loyal to CorpAmerica and that would be someone that aligns with the DLC. With Obama's selections of Sen. Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, and Lanny Davis, looks to me like the PE is favoring the DLC over the grassroots of the party.

the above opinion is submitted for no charge and guaranteed to be worth every penny.

[ooglymoogly]

111. Indeed it does, indeed it does....nt

[tnlefty]

5. K & R

I couldn't agree more.

[RollWithIt]

6. He didn't want a 2nd term and H&H was Dashcle's from the moment Obama announced he was running...

He's also made no statements about wanting anything so your outrage doesn't seem to be shared by Dean himself.

[rvablue]

12. Uhhhh.....that's fine. But what about SG that has now been tossed to CNN's Gupta?

:puke:

[RollWithIt]

58. And you think Dean wanted to be SG? nt

[rvablue]

60. You know, all of this "How do we know Dean didn't want it" stuff is getting ridiculous

if Dean doesn't want to be part of the Administration it would have been made clear to all of us long ago.

They are trying to sweep him under the carpet because in order to save our party, and ultimately our country, he had to go way, way partisan so that the American people could see the black and white choice, so to speak, in front of them.

And now, in these proposed "post-partisan" times, he would only rankle the other side.

That is my theory in why he has been shown the door. I HOPE I end up being wrong. Because, if I'm right, it will create the first rift with my party that I've felt for quite some time.

[marimour]

80. he said he didn't want it and was never interested.

There is a link on DU of his very clear statement on it.

[Pharaoh]

8. K&R

They really do seem to despise him.I don't get it. A true patriot and man of the people. Yeah, it really saddens me.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. I wouldn't blame Obama for this, but it is true the Democratic Party Establishment

never liked Dean. He was an outsider who didn't play by the rules. They never gave him credit for any of their victories. The party doesn't deserve Howard. He is indeed a true American hero.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. I could not agree more....

I was a Dean supporter in 2004. Went up to NH for one of his rallies. He is a great man.

If things had gone the way Dean wanted them to go four years ago, he'd be preparing for his second term as president, not leaving the DNC and waiting to hear if he's getting a Cabinet job. But Democratic insiders say he played a big part in the party's rejuvenation, which came about much faster than anyone would have imagined back in the winter of 2004.

"Dean helped Obama and other Democrats prepare for this day," said Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 campaign and remains an influential strategist. "While others lamented our loss in 2004, Dean got to work in devising a 50-state strategy that eventually laid the groundwork for Obama and others to harvest votes in 2008."

[Pharaoh]

16. Ditto

I was a huge Howie fan, went to rally's in Chicago, Iowa and Madison. He was a hell of a speaker, and passionate.

[SIMPLYB1980]

10. Has anyone thought or asked Howard Dean if he wanted to retain the post?

Leading the DNC must be an exhaustive job. Maybe he wants to do other things. It seams to me that if Dean wanted to make an issue of this he could do it easily. That makes me think that he doesn't want it or any other post.

[cali]

19. Howard did not want to stay on at the DNC under a dem president

he did want HHS or another job with the administration. And no, Howard would NEVER make an issue out of it.

[SIMPLYB1980]

34. Thanks I hadn't heard anything on him wanting a post.

But I've been out of the loop for the last few weeks. Needed to take a break. If that is the case it is a shame. Dean's 50 State strategy was just as important to us North Carolinians as Obama's well run campaign. Still I think Dean will find a niche somewhere within the party where his talents can effect positive change.

[Skink]

15. Dean got into this to destroy the Republican party.

He pretty much has. Now he is probably looking at returning to a normal life.

[cali]

22. nope. Howard wanted to be part of this administration.

[rvablue]

25. Not true. He has publicly stated that he has another 10 years of activism and political life left.

[anonymous171]

29. They still hold seats in Congress.

The GOP is far from finished.

[Skink]

33. We almost took Texas.

In four years when Texas turns blue you'll see how little is left for the GOP.

[EFerrari]

64. Not from what DU has heard from friends who post here. n/t

[spooky3]

20. Anyone want to join me in thanking Dr. Dean?

[rvablue]

26. I WILL....a million times....but

I'm only going to write 30 times.

THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.

[Missy Vixen]

21. They got theirs, so Dr. Dean can evidently go screw himself

I keep hoping that I am wrong, but over and over and over, those of us who warned those here who swore there'd be "change" have seen nothing but same shit, different day.

The party's treatment of Dean, after his hard work over the past four years directly impacted PE Obama's victory, is shameful.
Julie

[tom_paine]

53. Exactly. These are ALL very bad signs. VERY BAD.

All that and Speaker Pelosi, too.

It's as if the Democratic Leadership wants the same things that the Bushies want, but they just have to pretend they don't want it long enough to maintain their "market brand".

I hope I am wrong, I don't want to believe this.

But the evidence is growing, and soon we'll know one way or the other once Obama governs for a year.

[EFerrari]

57. Agreed. n/t

[rvablue]

23. I'll be kicking this one for the next week. I have had ZERO issues since the election

but this ongoing development is starting to stick in my craw.

If Dean is left to the political wilderness, I will have a scar on my Democratic heart.

Ugh. I could rant on and on about this. I just hope that I'm wrong and he is being considered for something else.

SO.NOT.FAIR.

[108]

32. Does anyone know if Dean even wanted to be part of the administration

or is this just speculation?

[rvablue]

59. He only spent the last fours years of his life dedicated to winning back

the Congress and the White House.

I would venter to say that it is much MORE speculative to think that he didn't want to be part of it, then to kind of assume he would want to be part of the change he fought so vigorously for.

But, we will probably never know given that Dr. Dean is one of the classiest Dems out there and won't be going on TV or talking to newspaper reporters whining that he wasn't appointed or included in the administration.

[ElboRuum]

85. I would venture to say that...

...without knowing for certain, you've properly defined speculation in either case.

This can only be considered a "slap in the face" if Dean expected to be rewarded by Obama and wasn't. If we don't know either way, then all of this "OMG!1! They're throwing Dean under the bus" crap is just all speculative by definition. What evidence that he wanted a job and considers not getting one to be an affront do we actually have here?

[nevergiveup]

30. Do we know that Dean was looking for

a particular appointment in this administration? Have there been recent reported conversations between Obama and Dean and if so did they discuss appointments or Howard Dean's future? What is this "shameful" treatment from Obama?. At the beginning of his acceptance speech in Denver Obama only thanked two individuals, his close friend and colleague Senator Dick Durbin and Chairman Howard Dean. During the campaign Obama would often mention Dean. Party chairman seldom stay on for longer than 4 years. I think Howard Dean has been the best party chairman in modern history and I doubt very much that Obama would argue with this. I am just not ready yet to jump all over Obama for this because I don't think there are any facts to suggest it.

[cosmik debris]

35. I would have been more impressed with the 50 state strategy

If my state had been included in the 50.

[NashVegas]

44. That Mine Wasn't, I Can't Blame on Dean

Obama was here only once to my knowledge - the night of the Belmont debate. Other than the debate, he made zero public appearances in TN that I'm aware of.

[cosmik debris]

51. I wish someone had asked WHICH 50 states he was talking about

We sure could have used some help. We came within 2 seats of taking over the Texas house of Representatives. We had a chance to unseat John Cornyn but we go no help there either.

[NoPasaran]

61. The Texas part of the 50-state strategy

Was the DNC funding three full-time field organizers who worked for the state party.

[waiting for hope]

69. I'm in North Carolina - they haven't voted Dem

since Carter and Virginia hadn't voted Dem since Johnson. I'd say that meant something.

[Le Taz Hot]

76. Dean set up headquarters in all 50 states.

Including yours.

[WonderGrunion]

39. I love Howard Dean

I'm hoping that after the past four grueling years of fighting for our party that Obama might reward him with an extremely nice ambassadorship, preferably on a warm island nation with little political disturbance.

I'm not saying Dean should go away. But I hardly consider more hard work as a proper reward for four years of hard work. I say ambassador to the Bahamas for four years then perhaps Obama's VP for his second term.

[Myrina]

40. Agreed.

:( I'm becoming less and less impressed with the direction the Obama Administration looks to be heading. Sigh.

[NashVegas]

42. For Me, It's Not About Dean, Himself - Although GEEZ! What a Bunch of Wankers

About the first part of that header: even Dean doesn't make it about Dean, and that may be a part of why he is being so easily shafted. Who hear thinks he was ever in it for his own personal power? So that part's not as bothersome is the idea that

Washington seems to hate Dean because he has a record of standing on principle

and sometimes winning.

Wankers: they could have at least thrown him some kind of bone. A gold watch. A gold laptop. Just something in the way of 'thanks' and 'good job.'

What assholes.

[hfojvt]

43. KNR What is the deal there?

To Howard Dean :yourock:

[mzmolly]

46. I agree. Perhaps we need some grass roots action?

http://change.gov/page/content/contact/

I'm planning to contact the Obama transition team, who will join me?

[whathehell]

89. Sorry. Dupe

[whathehell]

90. I will join you....What are you considering with regard to Dean? n/t

[mzmolly]

108. Commerce?

:shrug:

[whathehell]

110. I really don't know what you mean. n/t

[EFerrari]

48. I am going to keep watching this.

[Solomon]

50. You know I really don't feel like doing a search to see which

issue you really got against Obama. Until I hear disappointment from Dean, I'm gonna assume people here don't know what the hell they're talking about. Just ginning up yet another "issue."

I love Dean to death and I expect him to be satisfied, whatever he and Obama have talked about. But this faux outrage when we don't even know what the facts are is ridiculous.

[EFerrari]

56. DU has a search engine.

There have been plenty of threads on this topic in the past. The job Dean wanted was given to Daschle who, with his wife, has a nice relationship with the associated lobby. Lovely.

Dean is too decent to say anything of the sort in the press.

[tbyg52]

63. What Dr. Dean wanted, he should have had. Period. nt

[whathehell]

94. Don't you think his lack of publicly expressed disappointment

might be face saving gesture?

[Generator]

54. Oh come on

Obama's just making it known that he's from the Republican wing of the Democratic party. It's like he's winking at us. Jokes on you Democrats! DAMN that president-elect is a wiley one! Rahm was just the beginning of the fun.

[fadedrose]

67. Right on .,,,,,,,, I think I heard that..

Howard Dean will be on MSNBC Mornin' Joe (gees I hate that Joe) tomorrow morning - not sure.

Since he's not written a new book in the last week or so, I wonder why Howard will be appearing on TV at this time. The media's been ignoring him, but for reason, the one you mentioned - the Dem Party has more or less stabbed him in the back. Maybe that's too harsh, but I feel like you do.

He is so worthy and so loyal a Democrat.

[Octafish]

68. Gov. Dr. Dean paved the way.

From Salon:

"Dean helped Obama and other Democrats prepare for this day," said Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 campaign and remains an influential strategist. "While others lamented our loss in 2004, Dean got to work in devising a 50-state strategy that eventually laid the groundwork for Obama and others to harvest votes in 2008."

I feel exactly the same way as you toward Dr. Dean, WI_DEM, with one additional thing: I regret not supporting him MORE in 2000.

[unkachuck]

71. yes sir....

....now breathe deeply through your nose....that foul smell you're smelling is, rahmbone and the corporatists....

....they're smart and cocky now, living off our sweat, but the next 2 years are going to be hell....major repug gains are coming without our help....like an elephant, this donkey never forgets....

[jillan]

72. I completely agree. Dean has done so much for our party and has gotten nothing

(other than personal satisfaction) in return.

[blue_onyx]

73. I think Dean has done a great job but I disagree with you

I don't think him not getting a cabinet position is a snub. Obama is allowed to nominate whoever he wants and he chose not to select Dean. Cabinet positions shouldn't be used as rewards...they should be filled with the person Obama thinks is best for the job.

It's absurd to say it was an insult for people to not get on their hands and knees to beg Dean to stay on as head on the DNC. Dean made his decision to only serve one term of his own free will. Dean did good job at the DNC but he is owed nothing return other than maybe a congratulation for a job well done.

[iamthebandfanman]

75. i agree AND

id vote for the man if ever given the option again.


i loves me some doctor dean.

[Le Taz Hot]

77. And wouldn't it be nice to have that option again?

My fantasy is that he leaves the Democratic Party and runs again as an independent. I know that will never happen because he's loyal Democrat doing all his work not for personal gain but because he wanted the Democrats to win. And they did and they're now removing him via the back door like a sack of garbage.

[liberation]

82. You know...

I had a similar train of thought last night.

It would be great to have a great organizer like Dean in charge of a 3rd party. I am getting the hints from Obama, and I will be moving my liberal ass away from the Dem party. It seems that saving a few exceptions, the Dem establishment is more interested in catering to the sensibilities of the conservatives... so I will be volunteering and working for somebody who caters to mine... not somebody who just assumes my vote and throws them lefties under the bus when they no longer need our votes or sweat.

I just don't want to be caught in having to vote for some ticket, not because I agree with their political program, but because the alternative is so vile and awful that it would be disaster to let them win. And I think it is time to start working on that goal.

[Pastiche423]

104. If only...

*sigh*

I must admit though, after Obama's 1st pick, I knew we were heading down hill and away from anything remotely progressive.

I :loveya: Gov. Dean!

[harun]

78. Agree and Kick. Dean wanted Education and should have got it.

[marimour]

81. how do we know that?

There have been plenty of claims that "Dean wanted this, or that" but i haven't seen a credible source say any of this.

[harun]

86. I saw him all but flat out say it in an interview he did.

The interviewer couldn't get him to say it explicitly but both made it obvious that was what he wanted.

It would be low class for him to say it, and it would make it look like he was pressuring Obama if he did. So he had to be discreet about it.

[marimour]

92. thanks.

[TheWraith]

84. How do you know what Dean wants?

We know he's been driving like mad for over five years. It's entirely rumor and speculation to act like we know for sure what Dean wants, or if he wouldn't rather go home and unwind for a few months before diving back into politics.

[mitchtv]

106. then maybe an ambassadorship to Paris

Madrid or Rome is in order

[FrenchieCat]

95. I believe that Howard Dean was of great assistance to the Democratic Party and

Obama as the nominee of the party......and so, yeah, his work as DNC Chair was a great thing.
Dean did in fact do an excellent job, which is what I knew he would do.
Is he "owed" anything for his work, beyond recognition for having done good work?
If he wants something, then I do believe that he should be given all due consideration considering his great success in his last position.
I haven't heard of something Howard Dean has asked for and been turned down for?
Not as of yet.

Do you know of something that Howard Dean has requested and has not gotten?
If so, what was it?

It is true that we may never know, because Howard Dean is such a first rate guy....
but still, the speculating about it is not an answer.

I'm very patient. Guess there is a reason its called a virtue.

[ooglymoogly]

109. The positions we are speaking of here are not positions

one asks for. They are appointed by the President who by his own knowledge knows the appointee will accept. On the other hand; Conspicuously not saying you are not seeking further considerations, (which Howard did not)so your post no matter the appearance of well meaning is a red herring.

[Norrin Radd]

102. kr

[Usrename]

107. K&R

:patriot:

[LaydeeBug]

112. Howard Dean's handling of the primaries was unforgivable.

who in the hell ever heard of 'let this thing work itself out'? He was nowhere to be found then, so I don't feel altogether that sorry for him now.