General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Vox: Democrats are in denial. Their party is actually in deep trouble. [View all]joshcryer
(62,536 posts)...and support was in exchange for SoS. Clinton accepted her defeat but wanted to stay "in" rather than fall to obscurity or stay a senator. The trade off was "we'll bust our ass for you in the elections and you give us something in exchange." At the time it's unlikely that SoS was on the table or being mentioned openly, but implied, sure.
And no one can say Hillary Clinton didn't bust her ass for Obama in 2008 and that Bill Clinton didn't bust his ass for Obama in 2012.
I think that Rahm Emanuel was the reason for the end of the 50 state strategy. Dean didn't employ it in 2008 because it was a tough race and Rahm's pick as chief of staff pretty much lent his own ear to Obama, and Tim Kaine's pick resulted in the 50 state strategy being completely scrapped. After that point the focus of the DNC was electing Democrats at the presidential / national office and letting the states races go where they would go.
Rahm Emanuel never wanted the 50 state strategy to begin with and he got his way because Obama just is a reasonable person and listens to his advisers (for better or worse). Dean supporting Hillary may be his way of trying to get back "in" and prove once and for all his strategy can work. The feud between Rahm Emanuel and Howard Dean is epic in that respect.
And let's be honest, people wanting the 50 state strategy here don't really want to elect blue dogs, but they'll throw out the strategy to score points.