YEEEES! Dean thinking about pursuing Chair of DNC!

[UpsideDownFlag]

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Former presidential candidate Howard Dean is considering a bid to become chairman of the national Democratic Party.

Steve Grossman, himself a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Dean had told him he was thinking about it.

Dean was traveling today in New York and unavailable for comment. His spokeswoman, Laura Gross, said ``it was far too early to be speculating on that.''

The 240 members of the Democratic National Convention will elect a new chair early next year. Several names are already being mentioned, including former Clinton aide Harold Ickes; Donna Brazile, who ran Al Gore's presidential campaign, and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

Dean has been outspoken since the beginning of his presidential bid in saying that the Democratic Party must establish a separate and unique identity from Republicans.

The next chairman will replace Terry McAuliffe, whose term is ending

[UpsideDownFlag]

1. shucks, i guess this is a dupe. nt

[Perky]

5. This would cut two ways

On the one hand. Dean, I think deserve a prominent role within the DNC because he spoke up against the war and marhsalled the troops when every other candidate was afraid to.

The party owes him big time.

At the same time I am not sure he is the right person to be leader. More than just a public face the DNC Chair he is the one who is going to be tagged with being the De Facto lead of the party. Harry Ried is a good guy but he is very much an inside the cloakroom sort and Pelosi is...well Pelosi.

Howard not onlybeing the public face but also calling the shots is a scary thought for those of us wo want to win the middle over in 2006 and again in 2008.

Personally the guy I would like to see at the helm...who has the Charisma and the necessary skills is Joe Biden... He'll never do it but he is the right kind of person if not THE person.

[leyton]

6. I don't think it's that public a face.

I mean, does the general public care who chairs the DNC or the RNC? It's an office job. Nobody really bases their vote on Ed Gillespie or Terry McAuliffe.

[ArkDem]

7. The spokesperson for a party is not a public face?

[leyton]

12. Not in comparison with elected government officials.

Yeah, the DNC chair provides newspaper quotes and does interviews, but he doesn't make headlines like the President or Congressional leaders do. Compared to people in public office, it's relatively low-profile. And I don't think people who are turned off by Dean are gonna say, "Oh no! That guy's now the DNC chair, can't vote Democrat anymore!"

[Perky]

9. I don't completley diagree

but two things:

Methinks Howard loves the limelight..not a criticism just seem to b his nature.

I the absence of strong congressional leaders...I think the DNC Chair become DeFacto leader at least on Russert.

[Renew Deal]

2. YES!!! That's great news.

I hope he gets it. He gave us a soul, a message and a spirit in this campaign. He deserves it.

[Miami Liberal]

3. Go Dean!!

[Bread and Circus]

4. If this happens, they might get me back at the table.

[Tweed]

8. If he goes Populist, I'm all for it

He pretty much did during the primaries, so I guess it's more if he continues to go that route. Bring back William Jennings Bryan!

[WilliamPitt]

10. LINK???

[madfloridian]

11. See my post in LBN..He has not decided. Link.

He is undecided on DNC try or another run for prez. It it up in Newsday from Albany. I think Grossman may have pulled this stunt.
Will find the link.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--howarddean1108nov08,0,4532517.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[Mike L]

13. Dean would do more good hosting a cable political show.

Get MSNBC to replace Joe Scarborough with Dean.

[cjoh1111]

14. Draft Howard Dean

http://www.drafthoward.com

[bigwillq]

15. Go for it DEAN!

We need your vision and energy, ASAP.

Help Save our party(AGAIN!)

[BlueManDude]

16. Does it occur to you that this may be a way to head off an '08 bid?

There may be those who want to keep Dean tied down as DNC chair so he can't run in '08.

[The Wielding Truth]

17. I think he should play an important role . He is

the backbone of a new Dem party. He can block the Rove effect because he sees it clearly. Really consider it Howard.

[BlueManDude]

18. I want him to do it too

as someone wwho thinks he has no chance of being president i'd like to see him bring energy and enthusiasm as dnc chair but there are many here who want him to be the nominee in '08 and he can't do that from the dnc.