Barack Obama will replace DNC Chair Howard Dean...

[mdmc]

Who will Barack Obama find to fill the good doctor's shoes?

[NightWatcher]

1. why do you think this?

he's done pretty good with his 50 State Strategy, getting delegates in some states where he knew he wouldnt win has put him over the top.

[Teaser]

7. It's kind of traditional

The winner of the Presidential primary is seen as the new leadership of the Democratic party. Oftentimes they put their own people in place at the top of the DNC, the titular head of the Dem. party during off election years.

[mdmc]

8. Obama will become the leader of the party

He should replace Dean with one of his own campaign luckies. He might keep Dean, but most likely he will use the chairmanship to solidify his campaign.

[graycem]

47. I think I've read somewhere

that Dean doesn't want to stay on.

[Leopolds Ghost]

2. Huh?!

[KittyWampus]

28. Howard Dean said he wouldn't keep on at the DNC when a Dem gets in the WH, it becomes

too political position in that event.

[onenote]

3. when?

[Coexist]

4. Dean's term is up - has he mentioned that he wants to re-up?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

29. He has said he won't return. nt

[Merlot]

5. The president doesn't appoint the DNC chair.

Why would you say this?

[mdmc]

12. As nominee, Obama will be defacto "leader" of the party

He should put one of his pointmen in the chairman's seat.

[cali]

14. That won't happen until after Obama has been inaugurated

And Dean has already said he won't be running again once his term is up.

[Hippo_Tron]

41. No, the President does appoint the DNC Chair

When the party is out of power the DNC Chair is elected by the DNC Members. When the party is in power the DNC Members vote for whoever the President tells them to vote for. Read up on how party machinery is controlled by the white house when the party is in power.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Why would Dean be replaced at all?

Anyhow, the DNC chair is elected by the other members of the DNC, not appointed (or replaced) by a President.

[AllentownJake]

9. The guy who ran his Iowa operation

Obama is actually very quietly taking over the DNC with his people as we speak.

[Renaissance Man]

10. Dean's Replacement

Dean's replacement should be someone that embraces the 50-state strategy and grass-roots organizing.. and oh, someone that doesn't slam the progressive base of the Democratic Party.

[iamthebandfanman]

11. hope they give him

a good place in the administration

[billyoc]

13. Paul Tewes. nt

[sellitman]

15. Dean for VP?

Just a thought.

[midnight]

18. That would be great. I would love to see H.D. as the next V.P.

[sellitman]

20. I haven't seen his name bandied about for it though?

He would be a great choice IMHO.

[SoCalDem]

42. Surgeon General??

he is a doctor...

[helderheid]

23. Nice thought!

[blogslut]

16. Replace?

If I recall correctly, Howard's term is almost up and the good doctor has said he would not run again for a second term. The DNC head is not appointed, he is elected.

[book_worm]

17. I'm not sure he will until after the election and maybe not even then if Dean wants to stay.

[rucky]

19. I nominate Howard Dean. n/t

[Larkspur]

21. Howard Dean said a while ago that he would not run for DNC Chair re-election

and the DNC Chair is elected by the DNC members, who themselves are elected by Democratis in their respectived states. The Dem Prez can nominate a candidate, but the DNC members do not have to elect that person; however, in the past, the DNC members have approved of the Dem Prez nominee. But from what I've read over the last couple years, the DNC Members want the 50 State Strategy to continue, so if the Dem Prez wants his/her person approved of by the DNC members, that DNC Chair nominee better support the 50 State Strategy.

And as Dean has said, once we have a Dem Prez nominee the DNC becomes an arm of the Dem Prez nominee's campaign.

[helderheid]

22. link?

[mdmc]

40. Larkspur (the post above) spells out what I was sayin in the OP

:kick:

[OzarkDem]

24. Another crook from the Chicago political machine?

Just what we need - Daley-style machine politicians running the DNC. :puke:

[Inuca]

27. Wow1 Dean is from Chicago?

I did not know that. A big thanks for yet another very informative and well argued post.

[OzarkDem]

30. No, he'll be replaced by one

[scarletwoman]

33. I suppose we could go with a crook from the DC political machine instead. (nt)

[SoCalDem]

46. No one could do worse than Hillary's little buddy did..McAuliffe..

he was (still is a LOSER)..

[Barack_America]

25. Dean for VP!! nt

[Geek_Girl]

39. I love the sound of that

nt

[nxylas]

26. It'd be a shame if he does

Obama and Dean would make a good team once the GE campaign begins in earnest.

[scarletwoman]

31. Dean's not going anywhere until his term is up. The next DNC election isn't til next year. (nt)

[Carrieyazel]

32. Dean is the reason we've got the House, Senate, state and local.

Obama has nothing to do with our success down the ticket nationwide.

[WA98296]

34. Yippee! It's Paul Tewes! (:

[Carrieyazel]

35. If he loses in the fall, then what could Barack do? Way too early for this.

[Gore1FL]

36. To clarify the OP's point

The DNC chair opens up next year. Obama, as a Democrat in the White House, will have great pull and influence on the DNC in determining the elective outcome of Dean's replacement--Just as Bill Clinton did.

[Hippo_Tron]

45. You're understating it, the President basically appoints the DNC Chair

Formally it's decided by the DNC Members. But when your party controls the White House, the DNC Members always vote for whomever the president tells them to vote for.

The DNC Chair also becomes a figurehead when the party is in power. All of the real decisions are made by the white house.

[SoxFan]

37. Axelrod or Ploufe

Assuming Dean decides to step aside, it's probably going to be one of the head honchos from Obama's campaign.

If it's Ploufe, I could see there being a "General Chairman", a recognizable, media-savvy type who would handle the rubber chicken dinners and Sunday show circuit.

[barack the house]

38. Wexler would be a good selection.

[ossman]

43. I wish Sundance would do another season of The Hill, following him around the House.

[Hippo_Tron]

44. mdmc, people don't really understand how this process works

I had an opportunity to meet Governor Dean in person and asked him if he was going to remain DNC Chair if we win the White House in 2008. He told me that if asked to serve again it would be hard to say no. But most likely, he said, the new President would appoint their own guy who takes marching orders from the White House Political Director anyway. That's not really Dean's kinda gig if you ask me.

I think Dean would be an interesting consideration for Chief of Staff.

[madfloridian]

48. He said with a Dem president, it becomes a political position...

and he would not be interested.

[mdmc]

49. yup

I wonder who is next. (I'm sure there are good things in the future of Doctor Dean)