There's a fear amongst some Democrats that Dean may run for Presidency

[kentuck]

And that is why there is this "spontaneous" campaign to tear him down, now that the Democrats have won the House and Senate. They won despite Howard Dean, they say. They won because of Rahm Emanuel and Chuck Shumer and the great candidates that were running. And I would give all of them credit. However, I would not discount Howard Dean's effort in the process.

There are some in the Democratic Party that may not want Dr. Dean running again for the Presidency. He could spoil a lot of their plans, with his talk about healthcare and stuff like that. They don't believe he can win. I say, let's go thru the primaries before we decide who our candidate is going to be. If the people choose Dr. Dean, then let's get behind him. James Carville was out of line with his remarks.

[cali]

1. Dean promised he wouldn't run,

and as long as they don't conduct a successful putsch, he won't. He really is someone who stands by his word, as people should know by now. I disagree totally that this is about fear of Dean running; it's about Hillary wanting and needing her own person in as chair, and Carville is her henchman. This is hardly a secret inside the beltway. I'm just amazed that so many DUers don't get it. And it's not only a diss of Dean, it's total contempt for the grassroots/netroots part of the party.

[kentuck]

4. I'd say you are mostly correct...

But there are others, also, that will join in this campaign against Dean.

[ixion]

6. the DLC'ers (like Clinton, etc) are biting the hand that feeds them

by ignoring the grass/netroots that has enabled this comeback, IMO.

The DLC and its ilk are not friends of the Democratic Party.

Just my two cents.

[LizW]

8. They aren't being smart.

Cali, why does Hillary want and need her own person as party chair? The best thing she could do would be embrace Dean and the grass/netroots. Is there a philosophical schism that prevents her from doing that? Or is it that the DLC Dems just really don't get the power of the netroots yet?

And where do you think Wes Clark fits in all this?

[cali]

12. Hi Liz,

The real answer to your question would fill pages and pages. I'll try and condense it to a few lines. First of all, you're right that there's a schism betweeen the grass/netroots and Hillary. She's aware that not only does she have very little support from them, but that there's a strong current of antipathy toward her running for President. She gets the power of the netroots and it's not a plus for her ambitions. But there's also insiders disdain and fear of outsiders in play here. The Clintons, as you probably know, were adamently opposed to Dean heading the DNC, and they were less than thrilled about his run for the Presidency.

There are other reasons why Hillary wants her own person in; the DNC chair can do a lot to assist a favored candidate, in subtle and not so subtle ways.

As for Wes Clark, I think he does have substantial netroots backing, and that makes for an interesting situation, as he's a close ally of the Clintons. I have a lot of respect for Wes and hope he doesn't get used by the Clintons.

[LizW]

15. It's going to be interesting.

Thanks, cali. I find this inside stuff fascinating (and frightening). I agree about Wes Clark. He's done great work these last few years, and I have come to respect him, too.

I'm sure pages and pages will be written about this topic as the primary season nears! ;)

[wyldwolf]

2. bring on the primaries.

[porphyrian]

3. I think that's mostly right...

...although I believe they feel the same way about any successful progressive. But, like the fundamentalist cultures that are in their death throes around the world as geographic borders become less and less relevant, so do these frightened and angry proponents of the status quo lash out at any and all evidence that change is not only possible, but the right thing to do.

[pooja]

5. Before we get to 08...lets start fixing some messes in 06 that have

been created for a long time now.

[knitter4democracy]

7. I would back that any day and work hard.

I got into politics because of Dr. Dean, and I would work hard for him again. He should run--he's awesome!

If he doesn't run and instead stays chairman, it would be for the best, I think. We need him building up the party.

[splat]

9. Who can pull America out these messes and into the future?

That's the one I want.

The rest is myopic bickering, punt and doomed.

[caseycoon]

10. I wish with all my heart

that he will run. He is the best thing the Democratic Party has had in a long long time! :thumbsup:

[StraightDope]

11. Yeah, and the biggest cheerleader for Dean's ouster...

Has a name that starts with "H", and ends with "ilary"... :eyes:

[Pithy Cherub]

13. Entrenched power is difficult to give up.

Dean is absolutely joyful about devolving power back to We the People. DC and the DLC wanted a centralized command structure out of DC. The Clinton's in the 90's organized it specifically in that manner under Terry McAuliffe. In less than 18 months, Dean has wrought havoc to that model and most importantly to the IMAGE and belief systems of Democrats. The Clinton camp doesn't want to be perceived as wrong by reinstating their model and demonstrating the clout to do it. Carville is but a useful idiot tool in espousing this view.

The fact that HRC is not viewed warmly by the netroots and grassroots is horrifically disturbing to them. HRC is taking measures to shore up her position by hiring a blogging emissary and trying to oust Dean. It is actually a backhanded acknowledgment of our power. We are the greatest innovation in politics today and the Clinton's don't control it. They are trying to say the perceived monster because now we are affecting news cycle's and campaigns by donating and pushing candidates over the winning line right with the established players. This is about denying us a seat at the policy table.

Also, Dean is about to announce the city for the convention and HRC's camp wants it where...and Denver has made a spectacular bid. Yep, they are shaking in their boots that Dean and the people have become powerful in just 18 months, can you imagine what their terrifying nightmares are like about us becoming more powerful by next year? Their are certain presidential aspirants that enjoy a vast advantage in the centralized command and control structure and others who enjoy the advantage of being able to go directly to the grassroots and netroots. We know who is who...

GO DEAN GO!:bounce: Love him!

[NC_Nurse]

14. Primaries.

That's the only way to see who has the support.

If Hilary runs, I think she will get her ass kicked in the hinterlands. It's probably hard to see that sitting
in NYC with all the love around you. People really HATE her out here in Red state America - even many Dems.