Kos: Dean flops as boogeyman

[BurtWorm]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/29/15457/355

We're now at the rough one-year anniversary of the DNC chairmanship battle, in which us netroots hooligans helped propel Dean to the top of the DNC. We outmaneuvered Kerry, who wanted to install Vilsack and then Sheehan by fiat. We outmaneuvered Reid and Pelosi, who wanted Tim Roemer. We outmaneuvered Mark Brewer of the Association of Democratic State Chairs, who wanted to Donnie Fowler. (Here's Ryan Lizza's take on the whole affair.)

This was the first tangible "victory" for the netroots in its struggle for supremacy of the Democratic Party. But I don't bring this up to gloat. Rather, I bring it up to point out how little of the Dean Doomsday Scenario actually played out.

More specifically, the notion that Dean would be a boon to Republican propaganda efforts has completely falled flat. Remember those? Dem insiders were quaking in their shoes, Republicans were salivating at the chance to remind America how far-left and craaazzzyy those Democrats were with Dean at the top.

Yet you don't hear Republicans trying to make hay of Chairman Dean anymore. Why would they? Middle America proved, yet again, that they could give a rat's ass about who runs the political parties, whether it's Dean or the GOP's closeted homosexual robot. And while those early attacks on Dean fell flat with the general American public, Dean supporters responded with cash. Every attack on Dean suddenly became an impromptu DNC fundraisier worth tens of thousands in the bank.

[underpants]

1. I like Dean

I might not know every single thing he has done but so far I like him very much. He is what we need.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

2. Excellent post thanks for sharing. nt

[Tiggeroshii]

3. Every attack?

What about that attack of insisting he be boycotted(or something along those lines) for "accusing Bush of racism?" I think they just ignored that one...

[wryter2000]

4. Nice analysis

Dr. Dean is doing a great job, and I'm looking forward to many more victories under his leadership.

[Kolesar]

5. Kos grossly overstates the drama of Dean's ascension to Chief

There were a few Q&A sessions, some earnest contacts by Dean with the local leaders, and Dean took over. The other candidates were basically walking away from the job.

[Debi]

6. The other candidates established websites, received endorsements

from members or former members of the DNC and all the candidates campaigned for the job with current DNC members. Yes, in the end a Dean ascension became inevitable as he won more votes and received more endorsements. But to say that Fowler and Roemer just walked away is simply not the case.

On edit, just one article to make my case
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0130-08.htm

[BurtWorm]

7. It appeared that they walked away.

I always assumed it's because, like good politicians, they knew how to count votes.

[Kolesar]

8. Ok. That's fair

But I think Markos is flapping his "hate the DLC" wings a bit too hard here.

[blm]

14. I never felt like their hearts were in it - as if they were doing it FOR

establishment reasons more than their own enthusiasm for the job.

Kos really has Kerry and Dean wrong. They spoke almost every day in January, and even when Kerry was travelling overseas. If anything, it's likely that it was Kerry who asked Vilsack to step aside and not to challenge Dean, even though he wanted Vilsack first as a longtime friend.

Chris Heinz' friend, Simon Rosenberg, didn't even get Kerry's help.

[second edition]

9. Kos, is WRONG ON KERRY. Kerry never, never never took a

position on who should be DNC chair. Kos is again full of sh*t when he tries to discredit John Kerry. He also seems to think he was responsible for Dean's election- on this point he is delusional.

[LSK]

10. Kerry's stepson actually posted on DU last year

He was trying to talk us into someone besides Dean. I forgot who.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1485698&mesg_id=1485698

[second edition]

11. True, but he is separate of Kerry. He made it clear Kerry was

in no way involved. Chris Heinz efforts on behalf of a friend were done without the encouragement of Kerry.

Believe what you want and draw faulty conclusions from no more then friendly posts providing information and suggestions you consider voting for the other guy, but Kerry said or did nothing in support of one candidate or another in regards to the DNC chairmanship. I dare Kos to provide proof- and I mean real proof- not made- up proof.

[ultraist]

12. Interesting. Chris Heinz was for Rosenburg not Dean

Perhaps because Dean, as Chair, would not be as good for Kerry in 08 as Rosenburg would have been. Dean said during the primaries that he thought Edwards would make a better President than Kerry.

I supported Dean for chair, donated when he was elected and am pleased with how he is doing thus far.

[madfloridian]

13. Just to fair on the topic....

http://news.neilrogers.com/news/articles/2004112602.html

"Many Democratic lawmakers are interpreting Sen. John Kerry's active participation in selecting the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the strongest signal yet that the defeated presidential candidate is keeping his options open for a bid in 2008.

Last week, Kerry contacted nearly every elected member of the House Democratic leadership, and other powerful lawmakers, on behalf of Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa. On Monday, Vilsack issued a statement that he was no longer pursuing the chairmanship."

I don't care who supported whom, but just to be fair.

[madfloridian]

15. Did you see my post below?

http://news.neilrogers.com/news/articles/2004112602.html

"Many Democratic lawmakers are interpreting Sen. John Kerry's active participation in selecting the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the strongest signal yet that the defeated presidential candidate is keeping his options open for a bid in 2008.

Last week, Kerry contacted nearly every elected member of the House Democratic leadership, and other powerful lawmakers, on behalf of Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa. On Monday, Vilsack issued a statement that he was no longer pursuing the chairmanship."

I don't care who supported whom, but just to be fair.

[BurtWorm]

16. I guess it depends what the meaning of "never, never never" is.

;)