New York Times: Dems have mixed opinions about Dean

[LTR]

Democrats’ Turmoil Tests Party’s Low-Key Leader

WASHINGTON — The turmoil in the Democratic presidential race has presented a sharp test of Howard Dean’s low-profile approach to leading the Democratic National Committee, bringing calls from many Democrats for him to take a more aggressive role in defusing the threat of a protracted and divisive nominating fight.

After months in which he was largely absent from public deliberations about how to avert a risk to the party’s hopes of taking the White House in November, Mr. Dean stepped forward last week to say he wanted the contest resolved by July 1 and for Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to tone down their attacks on each other.

Yet three years after he won election as the party chairman by running largely as an outsider, it is not clear that Mr. Dean has the political skills or the stature with the two campaigns to bring the nominating battle to a relatively quick and unifying conclusion.

Indeed, 24 hours after he made his remarks, Mrs. Clinton said she intended to keep fighting for the nomination through the summer, if necessary. It was an unmistakable rebuke to Mr. Dean, who has never had good relations with the Clintons.

In an interview, Mr. Dean said he was taking steps to pave the way to a smooth convention in Denver this summer, suggesting that he had had private conversations with both campaigns.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/us/politics/02dems.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Personally, I think he's doing a good job. He's really rebuilt the party, more than his predecessor has.

[JeffR]

1. He's a rock.

I wish more Dem insiders would follow his playbook.

[BeyondGeography]

2. So, basically, Howard isn't a Washington suck-up, so the Beltway types hate him

meantime, the state party leaders love him. A real conundrum there...keep a handful of high-profile Washington-types happy or build a national party that was weakened when the leadership was Washington-centric.

It's a toughy.

[depakid]

3. Didn't even have to click the link to know this was Adam Nagourney

He is THAT transparent.

and about as credible a source as someone like David Brooks.

[LTR]

4. Looked and smelled like a hit piece to me

I posted it because I knew people would talk about it.

As I said before, I like the job Dean is doing. The 50 state strategy was a great move, and I also like that he hasn't fallen into the bad habits of his predecessors. He's letting this play out, as he should be doing, though he was right to tell Clinton and Obama to play nice. He's no fool.

[madfloridian]

5. LOL Good old Adam.

Same old tone.

[Justitia]

15. Ah yes, Adam N - how could I forget his drivel on Dean from the '04 elections....

[mahina]

6. My mixed opinion- deep respect mixed with love.

it's 50/50.

[Cha]

8. Aloha, mahina!

I feel the same about DeanB-)

[madfloridian]

7. Summary of Adam's hit piece: He's not one of us.

:think:

[Me.]

9. Karen T Has A Lot Of Nerve

criticizing Dean after the mess she, Nelson, Wasserman-Schultz and the rest of them have made

[Cha]

11. It's called a weasel deflecting

the blame.

[Cha]

10. It'll be like almost heaven when

hilary clinton has to stop intimidating and throwing her big rambo weight around. I imagine someone as smart and diplomatic as Dean has to keep his cool around the BosnianSpiper Dodger.

[UALRBSofL]

12. I have to agree with this article

Of course this is just a matter of opinion but I think he has mismanaged this election cycle starting from last year. Again, I also think he's too passive-aggressive. I might also reiterate statements like "Clinton supporters are not one of us" only helps to distance voters from the Obama campaign if he happens to be the nominee.

[mahina]

14. Passive agressive? Dean?

Have to disagree with you, he is agressive agressive, but only when merited.

[ekwhite]

13. His 50-state strategy has turned the party around

He has also been a strong enforcer of the party rules. He is one of the best party chairmen in a long time.

[JVS]

16. Dean is great. I was disappointed when he didn't get the nomination in 04, and I doubted...

that party chairman would be a position where he'd be able to change much. He has proven me wrong on that. Dean is actually able to wield power. Of course such leadership always does get a counter-reaction in some quarters. I hope he is successful at beating this resistance.

[TheDonkey]

17. I'm not Dean's biggest fan but he's done a fine job.

those trying to throw rocks at him now are just bitter about something else.

[DemVet]

18. You mean he has the brains of a rock.

He fucked up big time with this FL and MI fiasco and he knows it. He looks like a fool.