Dean to step down as DNC chair.
By on Nov 10th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Dean to step down as DNC chair.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean is preparing to step down from his position when his term ends in January, Huffington Post’s Sam Stein reports today. According to Stein, a name being floated as Dean’s successor is Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who was an ardent supporter of President-elect Barack Obama:
In sheer political terms, the choice really wasn’t Dean’s to make. Indeed, any decision on who will serve as the next DNC chair will come with directives from Obama and his aides. And a name being floated around as a possible Dean replacement is one of the president-elect’s closest allies: Claire McCaskill, the junior Senator from Missouri and a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.
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A round of applause for his fifty-state plan, please!!!
Thank you Governor Dean!!! You did an awesome job!!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:31 pmI’m a big Howard Dean fan. Had he survived the Iowa caucuses in ‘04, we’d have been talking Obama running to succeed him in the White House 2012.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm- – Obama probably doesn’t get elected without Deans’ web trailblazing.
Kudos, Doc.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pmI don’t understand. Why is he stepping down? Do they have term limits or something in the DNC?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pmOutside of Obama himself , Dean is singularly responsible for the Dem majorities in both the House and Senate , and also the presidency ; I hope he receives a post in the Obama administration .
He’s certainly earned it …………
November 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pmGood man. Would’ve made a great President. Yeeehaaaw…!
====
November 10th, 2008 at 2:41 pmIgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:
I don’t understand. Why is he stepping down? Do they have term limits or something in the DNC?
Yes, they have four-year terms, and can be reelected. Dean was absolutely correct with his strategy, despite the pushback he got about it, and I sincerely hope whoever follows him continues this good work. Oh yes….and finds more Progressive Democrats to run in 2010 as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pmHoward Dean will never get the appreciation and recognition he deserves. People smirked at his 50-state strategy and called him names — and the 50-state strategy won this election.
I’ll buy him a drink any day of the week.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:45 pmIn addition, I’d like to see Dean inside the Obama administration as well. What role do you think he’d be the most effective in?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pmAwesome job, Mr. Dean!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pmwin the election, get forced out. Sounds about right …
November 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pmDr. Dean for Surgeon General!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:50 pmlzcrmc Says:
win the election, get forced out. Sounds about right …
He has already said previously this is his only stint.
Helloooooo?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:55 pmlzcrmc Says:
win the election, get forced out. Sounds about right …
What part of he was already planning to step down and not try for another term do you not understand?
November 10th, 2008 at 3:00 pmimpeachcheneythenbush Says:
In addition, I’d like to see Dean inside the Obama administration as well. What role do you think he’d be the most effective in?
Can you say, best Secretary of Health & Human Services — ever!
November 10th, 2008 at 3:07 pmRoy Blunt would replace Claire McCaskill with a Republican. It doesn’t make sense.
Although I think very highly of Howard Dean, someone has got to do something about the primary process.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pmGod bless that man.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pmIn the abstract, I think McGaskill would be great at the job. But since she’s a relatively new Democratic Senator from a state with a Republican governor, I don’t think the Obama team will be choosing her.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:09 pmThanks Tom and McWars – I like Dean for either Surgeon General or Secy of HHS as well. Any other ideas?
November 10th, 2008 at 3:10 pmBTW, my choice for a replacement would be Chuck Schumer. He has been remarkably effective as the Senate Campaign Committee head.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:10 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
I’m a big Howard Dean fan. Had he survived the Iowa caucuses in ‘04, we’d have been talking Obama running to succeed him in the White House 2012.
Yeah, I supported his run in 2004 too. With the corporate press, the Republican Noise Machine in full gear, election fraud in places like OHio and too many Americans still sipping the koolaide, I am no so sure even Dean would have won in 2004 though.
This year, there were too many votes, so they couldn’t get away with stealing the election this time.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pmAnonymouse Says:
In the abstract, I think McGaskill would be great at the job. But since she’s a relatively new Democratic Senator from a state with a Republican governor, I don’t think the Obama team will be choosing her.
Just for the record, a sitting Senator can also service as the Chairperson for their respective party. For instance, Mel Martinez, Republican Senator from Florida is also Chairman of the RNC.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pmtips-q.com Says:
Roy Blunt would replace Claire McCaskill with a Republican. It doesn’t make sense.
Ummmm…. the DNC Chairman usually does not step down from their elected position, so why should she need replaced?
November 10th, 2008 at 3:24 pmAs a long time Dean supporter from the Dean for America campaign, who spent four months on the road with Dean, Joe Trippi and a host of other amazing people in Iowa, New Hampshire, Arizona and Oregon, I am deeply gratified to see that others recognize and appreciate the work he has done.
And remember, it almost didn’t happen. He election was opposed by the conventional forces in the party at the national level, and he fought repeatedly with individuals such as Rahm Emmanuel, who mocked his efforts and stood in the way of the 50-state strategy. This time, the ‘good guys’ won!
Howard Dean was truly a transformative figure at the Democratic National Committee, who pushed back against conventional thought, insisting on th 50-state strategy he outlined, the close involvement of state level party officials and the placement of national personnel in every state to build toward this election. He is largely responsible for engineering and directing the phenomenal reversal of our political fortunes over the past two cycles. While much work remains to be done, I fervently hope that whomever is elected to fill the chair will work just as diligently to build and expand the several important programs that he and his staff started.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pmThanks for the clarification, ictb.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pmI tip my cap to Dr. Dean for all that he did. His successor will have a tall order to fill.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pmHoward Dean needs to run in 2012 as an independent. Hell, I wish he had run in 2008 as an independent.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pmTwo processes seem to define todays Democrats; pragmatism (go along to get along [even as a majority])as evidenced by Obana wanting Leiberman to caucus with the Dems, and if it works, break it, as evidenced by letting(?) Dean leave the DNC after establishing a winning stratagy.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pmthis was a shock at first… makes me sad…
but just imagining the hard work and uphill battles, i’d guess he’s just about frazzled out…
he’s done an outstanding job, and deserves a great deal of credit for the gains in all his elections – and now the PRESIDENT!
THANK YOU, DR. DEAN!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:07 pmDear Dr. Dean,
You have given us our country back. My gratitude is boundless. Now we must remain vigilant always so that we never lose it again.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pmWe all should give Dr. Dean a hearty round of applause for laying the groundwork for Dem success in ‘06 and ‘08. We needed you and you came through in a big way!!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pmThe man who saved the Democratic Party.
Both for his 50-state strategy and for showing that a netroots campaign could work.
Surgeon General would be a good choice.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:13 pmHoward Dean had the vision years ago – Obama took it to reality.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pmThe DNC, all Democrats and, indeed, all of America owe Dean much gratitude.
Nicely played, Doc. Nicely played.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:28 pmThank you, Howard Dean. It was your 50 state strategy that gave us Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina, YIIIIIEEEEEE! And, the next President of the United States of America, Barack Obama!!!!!!
Thank you so much Mr. Dean, for recovering the Democratic Party, and for giving America (Democrat, Republican, and Independent) back to the people. We wish you well in whatever position you choose to move on to (Secretary of Health, please), and you will be remembered in the annals of our great country’s history!
November 10th, 2008 at 10:51 pmAnonymouse Says:
Missouri just elected a Democratic Governor by a wide majority. Our crooked Republican Governor did not run for reelection. He knew Missourians would never reelection him.
Her name is McCaskill. She has been great on the cable shows. She can be very tough during Senate Hearings, a combination of having been a prosecuting attorney (Kansas City) and the State Auditor.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am“…Claire McCaskill, the junior Senator from Missouri and a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.”
OK so would this be a completely partisan selection due to her “ardent support” of Obama or is she actually a good choice for the position.This article says nothing about her and uses a small quote.
How about some substance here on who Claire is and what qualifications she has. A commentor provided better information like this “She has been great on the cable shows. She can be very tough during Senate Hearings, a combination of having been a prosecuting attorney (Kansas City) and the State Auditor.”
But I still need someone to explain how being great on cable shows is somehow a show of political savvy rather than image savvy!
November 11th, 2008 at 7:44 am