Howard Dean, who many Democrats, myself included, have considered to be a dismal failure as DNC president (his pitiful fundraising being the biggest problem, which is ironic because he was the Obama of fundraising before Obama was the Obama of fundraising... but also his over-sanctioning of Fla or) will keep his job under the new boss, Barack Obama. But Obama exacted a price: the DNC will now have to live by the same rules as his own campaign: no money from PACs or federal lobbyists.
Dean probably was advantaged by being outside the Clinton orbit (where Terry McAuliffe, Don Fowler and other former chairmen reside.) He also scores a victory for his 50 state strategy, which D.C. insiders hate (they like the swing state strategy that focuses resources on about 17 states, the way my old outfit under Harold Ickes, ACT, did in 2004). But Dean clearly believes in his strategy, which is similar to Obama's, of building strong party infrastructure in all 50 states, red or blue, for the long term benefit of the party, and the short term benefit to down-ticket races. He was proved right three times this year, in Mississippi, Louisiana and Dennis Hastert's former district in Illinois.
And this is one more indication that the Clinton name is being unscrewed from the Democratic dressing room door.
The Politico says the Obama-Dean team is remaking the political map.
| Labels: 2008 election, 50 state strategy, Barack Obama, democratic party, Howard Dean, presidential candidates |
