Two blogs in praise of Howard Dean's efforts for our party. TPM, Kos. Pic from Samoa.

[madfloridian]

From TPM a person inspired by his campaign writes a tribute:

Through his campaign he gave me a great gift.

Over 5 years ago I made my first comment on the Dean Blog. I had read an article in the New York Times Magazine about the Dean Campaign, the grassroots style of organization, the belief that Voters "have the Power." That article galvanized me. I joined the campaign. I saw the blog and began to read. I had a "vision" of how our country could be, how our world could be. I don't mean I "saw" a "vision." I mean that my own vision of the way the world could be was expressed as a comment.

The reaction to that comment blew me away!

Almost immediately a small group of people gathered themselves around that comment. Adding to it. Wanting to put it into practice. Deciding to form a little group and work toward the end of "transforming ourselves" and in the process "transforming our nation." One person, a person of mixed race, living in Japan, set up a website. We exchanged emails. It turned out that our little group, perhaps 7 or 8 of us to start with, were living all over the country. One was a newly naturalized citizen, who grew up in Africa and married a European. Another was a lesbian with some native American blood. One was a retired writer. One was a computer specialist. East coast. West coast. North. South. Midwest. Single. Married. Old. Young. All were represented. And we shared info about our backgrounds via email. And set about writing up a description of what we valued, how we proposed to work together, what kind of world and nation we wanted. It's like we were refounding the country in terms of our own values.

And from a top recommended post at Daily Kos today.

Howard Dean and the party that still prefers Joe Lieberman

Despite reinventing the whole Election organization of the Democratic Party, and leading it to in consecutive triumphant election cycles, Dean was completely passed over for the Cabinet position he coveted (Health and Human Services). He was also shutout from consideration for any other administration post. And there have been allegations that Dean was not even invited to attend the event with President-elect Barack Obama introducing Gov Tim Kaine at DNC headquarters to be his successor, which Dean indicated he would have attended (rescheduling a trip) had he received such an invitation. The shabby treatment of Howard Dean, by the Democratic Establishment is baffling.

Why is the Party that feels obligated to do back flips to reward (unnecessarily) the likes of Joe Lieberman (a complete traitor to the Party), and one-time John-McCain-promoter Hillary Clinton, and that wants to keep in power Bush family confidant (and Iran-Contra figure) Robert Gates for the sake of "continuity" in our disasterous Defense policies, now marginalizing the one real hero in the Democratic Party that is largely responsible for laying the groundwork for Obama's own (red-state dependent) victory, and for the Party's resurgence in the public image and legitimacy across the Nation?

At stake now is a slide backwards to the failed, narrow Rahm Emanuel, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi supported model of focusing on targeted high-profile races, and the promotion of "Party establishment approved" candidates, at the expense and detriment of the overall Party, and the degree of outreach and creativity of their message and image. In such a senario, a guy like Al Franken would never had defeated Norm Coleman, and Franken is just the kind of principle-oriented, fresh voice that I'm now going to look forward to be hearing from.

I hear there will be an event for him this week-end..don't know anything else about it yet. We do know that he made his promise complete by a visit to American Samoa last week. He had said he would visit all 50 states and territories, and he did.

Ava Ceremony honors Howard Dean


Governor Howard Dean receives the ceremonial Ava at a gathering held at Government House at Mauga o Ali’i on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Dean fielded questions from the local media during a press conference held at the Tradewinds Hotel

Dean is visiting American Samoa for the first time, his last stop on a tour of every US state and territory, a goal he set while serving as Chairman of the National Democratic Party, an office he will be relinquishing soon as President-elect Barack Obama has named Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia to succeed him.

Thanks to the posters who remember what he has meant to this party for the last few years.

[madfloridian]

1. Howard Dean in Samoa. Picture and article with long interview.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean (standing) is all smiles after he was presented a kava bowl and book on Samoan art and artists, Saturday night, Jan. 10, 2009, during a democratic party fundraiser held at the Equator Restaurant where he was the keynote speaker. From left is Puataunofo Tulafono, who accompanied her father Gov. Togiola Tulafono, titular head of the local Democratic party, to the fundraiser. Dean left the island last night. (photo: Tina Mata’afa)

Better link and more about his visit.

Samoa News

"Dean was an honored guest who was invited to the inauguration of Gov. Togiola Tulafono and Lt. Gov. Faoa Aitofele Sunia held last Friday afternoon.

His visit was a flurry of activity cramped into three days that saw him welcomed to the territory with a formal ava ceremony and lunch at the Government House, hosted by the governor and First Lady; meetings with party leaders including titular head of the Democratic party Gov. Togiola; holding a press conference with local media; attending the Inauguration celebration at the V.A. Stadium; attending the local Democratic Party Fundraiser, Saturday evening, where he delivered the keynote speech; and managed to also include snorkeling and sightseeing.

He departed last evening with DNC National Press Secretary Stacie Paxton."

Read the whole thing. He is absolutely gracious and magnanimous.

[madfloridian]

2. One more comment.

I think there is far more to all of than Dean is asying. I really don't care, would rather see him outside the party. He's better at speaking up then.

I do hope he has some TV spots, but the party seems to have the usual suspects on all the time.