Fifty State Strategy likely over.

[madfloridian]

Chris has some thoughts at Open Left today. I sort of agree with him. TPTB are sort of pretending to say it is not over, but facts say otherwise. The 200+ staffers are gone at the end of the month.

The letter sent out:

"I was informed today by the DNC that the State Partnership Program (50 State Strategy) terminates on December 1. That means that three members of our staff will no longer be paid for by the DNC. They are Wes Beal our Voter File Manager, Patrick Mead our Technology Director, and Erik Horeis our Eastern Washington Organizer.

This was not unexpected. Howard Dean launched the SPP, and his term is about to end. The DNC is under great financial pressure now. I am grateful to Dean and the DNC for the support they have given our Party.

The loss of pay for three staff is a blow to our financial picture for 2009. The year after a Presidential election is the toughest year for fundraising in any four year cycle. At the end of January we will elect our Chair for 2009 – 10. The Executive Committee will approve our budget for 2009 at that meeting.

I have informed Wes, Patrick, and Erik that the Party will continue to employ them through January 2009, but their continued employment will be decided by the Chair and Executive Board in late January."

Here is more from Chris Bowers at Open Left.

Dean Out, Fifty-State Strategy Likely Done

Former Vermont governor Howard Dean, who rose to national prominence during a failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, will not seek a second term as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, clearing the way for a loyalist of President-elect Barack Obama to be named to the soon to be vacant post.(...)

"At this point he has said that he doesn't intend to run again," said a DNC source granted anonymity in order to speak candidly. "He has said so publicly for a while. He has not said what he will do next."

More:

I've been checking around, and what I'm hearing from reliable sources is that this report is true.

A rumor at this point (or rather, someone unwilling to go on record) but what I'm hearing is that the DNC organizers who implement the 50 state strategy are about to be let go. Apparently they will be laid off at the end of the month, and the new DNC chair will decide whether he or she wants to continue the 50 state policy.

Basically, what's happening is that 50-state organizers like Susan Mariner (Hampton Roads) and Joe Montano (NOVA) will be let go at the end of this month, the program "suspended" and subject to "reevaulation" (excuse me, but don't you usually re-evaluate first, THEN decide to "suspend" or not to "suspend?").

Well, with the letter above it is more than a rumor.

Yes, if you are truly evaluating...you do the evaluation first and then lay off.

The 50 State Plan was a grassroots phenomenon and many bloggers worked hard under its auspices getting down ticket candidates elected.

Right now, the strategy means handing over large grants to state parties from the DNC, and also paying for local organizers in the state. It was effective both as an organizing strategy (see the DNC memo on the subject) and as a political strategy for Howard Dean, as state parties hold large numbers of votes in the DNC and like receiving lots of money and free organizers from the DNC.

This was a program for which the netroots fought hard the past several years. Now that it seems to be over, I hope that our opinion of the fifty-state strategy doesn't take the same route as our opinion of the utility of appearing on Fox News, including telecom immunity in FISA, or elevating Rahm Emanuel to positions of extreme power. It isn't right just because Obama did it, although I fear many people will say so.

And Chris could add...the same route as our opinion that it is okay for Bill Clinton to be advocating for Joe Lieberman to stay. Everything is moving quickly. Everything is not an okay thing to do just because Obama does it.

Things are moving quickly, my head is spinning as I realize how quickly these staffers, these winners for Obama, this grassroots'supported chairman are gone without much credit at all.

They are already claiming the 50 State plan as the brain child of the Obama campaign. They could have at least given credit due for the program he started in 2005. That would not have hurt.

To Dean's credit he said you have to go to places "where people don't know much about you."

"It is easy to go someplace where everybody loves you and there are no problems. But if you want to expand the pie to get more votes, you have to go to the places where people don't know much about you, or maybe they don't love you because they have heard the wrong thing about you from the opposite party and you haven't been there to defend yourself."

Credit due. I hope Chris is wrong, I hope I am wrong. But it is all happening too quickly to take in.

[democrattotheend]

1. Is it Obama's decision to lay off the field staff?

I read somewhere that they were only hired through the election. Who is behind the decision to lay them off? Why would Obama involve himself in something like that?

[madfloridian]

3. It is Obama's DNC now. Has been since he became nominee.

.

[theboss]

15. Which means he gets to put his own people in charge

Which means that Dean's people leave.

Dean seems to get that this is how it works.

[madfloridian]

19. Of course. I was not posting about Dean's leaving. I was posting about a legacy

that they have not seen fit to continue and not seen fit to give him credit due for.

[theboss]

23. They will probably continue it with their own hires

Obama has something like 40,000 trained volunteers from his campaign. I imagine he wants to use them.

[LittleClarkie]

2. Maybe the actual program is officially over

but it seems to me that Obama believes in the concept, and the concept will live on in practice.

[Alter Ego]

93. He wouldn't have won without the strategy--of course he believes in it.

[PFunk]

4. I hope so.

Because it will be the only the dems can expand their 08' gains in 10'. Abandoning the 50 state plan will probally allow the repugs to win it all back (because I'm damn sure they are developing their own 50 state plan for 2010).

[madfloridian]

8. Yes, the GOP is talking about forming their own 50 state plan

And the Democrats are not. The Gop is crediting Dean. The Democrats are not.

[Gman]

5. They're not needed. The next election is 2 years away

no need to keep staff on when there's no campaigns. And with a Democratic administration coming in, it's not like these folks are going to be on the streets.

Good move by the DNC.

[MaineDem]

16. These people were hired almost 4 years ago

So that we'd all have people in place well before the next election. That was the whole point.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the program will begin again after January.

[KamaAina]

6. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Does anyone seriously believe we could have flipped IN and NC, or maybe even VA, without the 50 State Strategy? And what about downballot races like Tom Perriello's in VA05, where he came from 30 points down in the polls to send Virgil Goode 9R-Actually Really Bad) down to ignominious defeat?

[Awsi Dooger]

37. Who says it wasn't broke?

Don't fall for the hype. It wasn't implemented properly under Dean. In 2006 we left at least a half dozen House seats on the table, probably closer to a dozen. James Carville had that absolutely correct.

There isn't a single competent mathematical model that can assert a 7.9% national edge in the House vote -- 52.0 to 44.1 -- should have equated to only a 31 seat swing. Particularly without losing one incumbent. How do you net only 31 seats in a +7.9 when you never lost a single seat of your own? I saw it first hand here in Southern Nevada, a senseless loss by Tessa Hafen in NV-3 when the national committee never funded the race until hastily in the final two weeks when it was too late. This cycle we won that race by 5% when we finally figured out it was winnable.

Of course, Rahm had influence in 2006 and focused too narrowly on about two dozen seats.

This cycle, absolutely we would have won Virginia, regardless of strategy. That state was always front and center on the game plan for 2008, obviously moving our way in demographic terms. It was a classic swing state in the ideological percentages, 21% liberals and 33% conservatives.

Indiana and North Carolina were another matter, astutely prioritized but it all depended on the national margin. We damn sure weren't winning them without the extended Bush ineptitude or September economic collapse that exploded Obama's situational advantage.

I'm all for the 50 state strategy but I believe it can be put into play more effectively. There are still too many loose ends, like narrowly holding NY-24 this cycle, or losing Borda in Kansas, and in general running too many female challengers in House races. This is the second cycle in a row the female candidates underperformed in terms of expectation and polling.

[KamaAina]

38. "Too many female challengers in House races?"

and in general running too many female challengers in House races. This is the second cycle in a row the female candidates underperformed in terms of expectation and polling.

I do not believe I just read that. :eyes: Might I have logged on to some other website in error? :shrug:

I am a firm believer that a woman's place is in the House -- and the Senate.

[madfloridian]

41. No, that was disproven, was not true.

What Carville said had the figures wrong. National Journal Hotline disproved it.

Turns out 9 of the 35 picked by the DCCC won, the rest had started with grassroots and progressive support and got party support later.

There were only 4 maybe races that MIGHT has been affected....and if Rahm had taken the quarter million he used to get Democrat Cegelis out of the race he could have used it elsewhere. Instead he used that much against our own party.

[dorktv]

52. Excuse you, I am a female candidate who does not appreciate being told I am hurting the party.

[hughee99]

7. Best money the DNC ever spent...

While I understand that the program was projected to run through the end of the year (and only budgeted for that) and since the DNC chair will be replaced with Obama's choice they have to plan like it's end of life for the project. I would hope that Obama's new person sees the value in this project and renews it for another 4 years.

[MaineDem]

20. That's my view. too. n/t

[madfloridian]

9. Good comment from Paul Rosenberg at OL.

"Let's be perfectly clear. I don't care what the spin or "explanation" turns out to be, but you just don't fire everyone after winning the biggest political victory in a generation. There is no possible justification for this. None whatsoever.

At the very least, you keep everyone on board to do a detailed after report, and have some meetings to discuss and synthesize your findings. Even if you've decided in advance to do something different (a foolish choice in itself, since reinventing the wheel is like, well, reinventing the wheel) it's only common sense to get a comprehensive report on what you've done, what results you've had, and what accounts for any unusual successes or failures.

So much for the bottom-up campaign rhetoric."

[theboss]

14. I don't think anyone really understands what is happening yet

Obama has a massige organization which included volunteers in every state. It sounds like Dean is closing the books on his era at the DNC and letting the Obama era begin. Remember: Obama and the DNC are two different entities.

My guess is that a new party chair will be handpicked by Obama. And then will be given Obama's fundraising apparatus and volunteers. And a new organization will go in place in all these states.

I don't think the DNC is giving up a nationwide view by a longshot.

[dbackjon]

10. Extremely Stupid and Disapointing.

[theboss]

12. The Obama campaign and the DNC are not the same

There is going to be a lot of merging in the next few weeks.

Panic not.

[madfloridian]

18. They are the same.

They merged before the election.

[theboss]

11. Obama has a massive organization of his own

My guess is that he will be moving his own people into a lot of these types of jobs and will be funding it with his own fundraisers.

I can't imagine that Obama is going to forget about his organizers in VA, NC, IN, etc.

[berni_mccoy]

13. Oh PULEAZE! Obama's not going to shut down this strategy. He's going to OWN IT.

[madfloridian]

17. Facts: They are laying off all the staffers.

Facts: The letter says it is ending.

Fact: The people on the inside did not like it to begin with.

[theboss]

21. You are right; the dream is dead

Obama is not going to compete in VA, NC, IN, CO, NV, AZ, or MT next time.

We are going back to the McAuliffe days.

Maybe wait a few days to see how this shakes out.

[hughee99]

22. but also....

Some people on the inside will be replaced.
They are planning to lay off the staffers because they are only budgeted until the end of the year.
The new DNC chair (whoever it may be) may choose to renew the program.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this program continue under a new DNC chair with a more limited budget in non-election years, though the key people currently involved may go elsewhere before that decision is made. They made a good name for themselves and may be able to find better positions in the meantime.

[theboss]

25. The DNC is out of money at the money; Dean can't set up budget prioritie for his succesor

This will all get straightened out.

[regnaD kciN]

26. Here are a few more facts for you...

FACT: Dean had always announced he'd leave the DNC chair after one term.

FACT: Every outgoing administration ramps down their programs so the new people can implement their own policies. It always happens.

FACT: After a major national election, every party trims down their staff. It always happens.

FACT: Virtually everyone trimmed down is a temporary employee who never expected to have their position become permanent.

FACT: Funding will increase as the midterms approach, and the very same people may well be rehired then.

FACT: The fifty-state strategy was a proven success for Democrats.

FACT: People don't abandon proven successes for proven failures.

FACT: Obama's own electoral strategy was built on the fifty-state strategy, as opposed to Clinton's targeting of specific states.

FACT: Obama is unlikely to choose a chair who will dump his successful strategy in favor of the Clinton's failed one.

FACT: The sky is not falling.

:eyes:

[berni_mccoy]

29. FACT: DUers Love To Whip Themselves Into A Panic

Well said my friend.

[madfloridian]

33. DUers are getting too complacent....

And attacking those of us who post intelligent stuff about real problems.

But hey, I am used it, doesn't bother me. Dangerous trend though, not to question when such things happen too quickly to think about or respond.

I really get irritate with people who refer to any of us in a class, such as "some people", "you people"....

NO, most DUers are quite sensible.

However now that the insiders are back in total power in all the committees and the white house, those of us who advocated for speaking out are getting the worst end of the deal.

What the heck ever...think for yourself, notice what's happening. Don't give in to groupthink here.

[regnaD kciN]

44. "Intelligent stuff"...?

You haven't posted one intelligent word on this subject so far -- just a lot of Chicken-Little paranoia that shows you know nothing about how political parties operate.

[FrenchieCat]

24. Yeah. Ok.

:eyes:

[madfloridian]

36. I love Obama, but it concerns me how quickly this happened.

Today a professional here asked me why Obama picked Rahm. He's a Democrat, and he wondered why someone so decent and kind as Obama would pick someone like him.

I did not know what to tell him.

[FrenchieCat]

48. Tell your "professional" friend to hold on for a millisecond.

The proof is in the pudding....which hasn't even been put in the blender yet.
it is simply too early for anyone who wants to be rational,
to be wringing their hands.

Rahm is a Democrat last I checked. And he may be exactly the type of Democrat
Barack needs fighting his battles for him.
If the conservative House GOP's panties are tied into a knot over the Rahm selection,
then it must be a good pick.

I'm with no drama Obama here.
There is too much work to do for this panic stuff.
The situation is too serious and dire,
Too many people are losing their home and their jobs,

and Panic doesn't smell good this early in the morning.

[PassingFair]

94. Like Rahm heroically fought against NAFTA, WELFARE REFORM AND THE IWR?

Yes, I WELL remember his heroic speeches on behalf
of the PEOPLE.

Do I need this?
:sarcasm:

He has fought for BAD legislation that has
CAUSED:

..."this panic stuff.
The situation is too serious and dire,
Too many people are losing their home and their jobs".


Why shouldn't we panic?

When SHOULD we panic, when we attack Iran?

Why are there NO names on par with Feingold or
Schawkowsky or Kucinich on those cabinet lists?

I don't WANT democrats that are AS BAD (or Worse)
than thieving republicans.

I don't WANT to have to spend 4 or more years
apologizing and being embarrassed like I did during
the Clinton years.

[cliffordu]

27. What were these staff members supposed to do for the next 2-4 years???

Stand around and scratch??

Hang out and make calls?

[madfloridian]

28. The plan was to do what the GOP did when they took over the country.

To have staffers year round to help elect down ticket races. Really, it was called a permanent campaign.

The GOP has been giving Dean credit and starting their own to take back the country.

Ironic as hell, huh?

[Elidor]

32. Hopefully they'll start it right back up, keep the permanent campaign going

If they don't, it's just incredibly stupid.

[Mojorabbit]

88. I hope the experienced people

will be informed if this is the case. It would be a shame to lose people who know the lay of the land in their states.

[madfloridian]

90. That is true. When they go, much data and knowledge goes with them.

And they did their jobs and won.

[Hippo_Tron]

30. Obama has a movement behind him, perhaps he figures he can fill the gap with volunteers

Either way, I don't see us going back to the Clinton/McAuliffe strategy.

[kid a]

31. take a vacation mf...you need it.

[madfloridian]

34. No, DU is starting to bruise and insult those who speak out.

That is the very time NOT to take a vacation. We are going back where we were before.

I see the attacks on anyone who questions anything about the new staff and choices.

That is not good.

[regnaD kciN]

45. Poor baby...

...you're bruised and insulted!

Would you like some cheese with that whine? :eyes:

[madfloridian]

59. No, I can take it. Please continue.

[Mojorabbit]

89. What a rude post. nt

[madfloridian]

35. To those telling me to take a vacation...a reminder of what happened to the GOP

They did not question their leaders. They went along to get along. They ended up with Sarah Palin on a podium in a racist area of FL with the strains of Redneck Woman blaring from the speakers.

On stage smiling, but embarrassed I found out later were Charlie Crist and Adam Putnam.

There is never a time now to take a vacation from progressive activities.

Dean was sort of our gateway to the party, as "Crashing the Gate" pointed out. Now the gateway is likely to be one to please Rahm.

Insulting people who question should not happen here. We could sell out to the right just as easily as they GOP did.

[AtomicKitten]

39. The 50-state strategy was a screaming success.

It worked brilliantly; it did exactly what it was designed to do. Now the expensive expansive project will continue on-line. It will be resurrected physically state by state next election cycle. It's a matter of economics and practical application, not some evil plot to undermine all the good works of Howard Dean as DNC Chair. We won. He did his job and then some.

[babylonsister]

42. Yep to everything you said. nt

[renie408]

40. How much does it cost to keep 200+ staffers in the toughest fundraising year

of a four year cycle? And is it for sure that they are all fired? Is it conceivable that some of them might be kept on?

[madfloridian]

43. It's for sure.

We raised inordinate amounts of money. The DNC raised about 50 million in Sept, not sure about Oct.

They borrowed 10 million for the DCCC and the DSCC.

We are going back to the way Carville, a close friend of Rahm, wanted it....decisions made by insiders.

[regnaD kciN]

47. To answer your questions in a RATIONAL manner...

All of these staffers were hired with the understanding that their positions would be funded through the 2008 election year, period.

What would happen after that? Well, that would be the decision of the new DNC chair and committee. They have to draw up and approve a new budget. That budget may include funding for a similar outreach program, or it may not. Putting it simply, although I would strongly suspect this program or something similar will be continued, we have no way of knowing until a new Chair is elected and a new budget approved. And I do mean none of us know -- not I, nor anyone running around claiming that "the sky is falling" simply because Howard Dean is stepping down as chair (as he always said he would), and the special programs of his administration are being wrapped up (as happens every time a chair ends his or her term).

[madfloridian]

64. That is only part. Thank you for zeroing in me. Getting a lot of that lately.

My point is that the tactic that got us the win is being dismantled before evalution.

You do not have to put others down to make your point.

They are making a point by ending the strategy with Dean's candidacy.

[renie408]

77. But honestly, I don't think you are being very rational. You

are really upset and I get that part. What I don't get is WHY. What you are freaking out about hasn't happened yet. In another thread, someone has posted a letter from the Obama campaign that thanks the DNC profusely and asks for donations to help offset the expenses the DNC incurred in this election. It gives total credit for the massive grass roots movement of the 50 state strategy to the DNC. It says that this is just the beginning.

Yet, here you are still glued to your position that Obama is dissing Dean and dismantling the 50 State Strategy. He might. But he might not. Why not back off a little and chill out and give it some time?

[stevenleser]

46. This would not be wise if intentionally done by anyone in authority...

... people are blaming Obama but I HIGHLY doubt that the DNC is what he is worrying about right now. People at the DNC are probably doing this without his direct knowledge. Obama is worrying about:

1. Getting his transition done.

and

2. The economy

There is no 3...

If there were more items on the list, the DNC would be about #30.

[madfloridian]

69. He merged his campaign with the DNC.

Dean has been only a figurehead for months. Of course they are doing it with his knowledge.

[stevenleser]

75. There is zero chance Obama is worrying about the DNC right now.

If Emanuel and his other handlers have him spending 1 second of his time and effort thinking about the DNC between now and inauguration day, they should all be fired.

[Coexist]

49. madfloridian, you are like the voice of doom anymore

I used to like your posts, but my gosh...

[FrenchieCat]

51. Bit much, hey?

I like Howard Dean quite a bit, and he did an outstanding job during his tenure as DNC Chairman,
but this panic shit is ridiculous and quite disheartening, because it isn't warranted.

Here we should still be celebrating the fact that we have been freed from an 8 year reign of terror,
but yet, some would have us debating about something that we have not enough information to make clear truthful statements about.

Barack Obama isn't stupid.
Howard Dean isn't stupid.

That means that the 50 state strategy is now THE strategy.
There is no other....no matter what is culled from some movement
within the DNC Organization.

I'd love Plouffe to replace Dean as DNC Chair.
That would be perfect....as he perfected the 50 state strategy.

[Coexist]

53. Plouffe would rock that post

some say he doesn't like the spotlight, but I think he could make it his own in his own way.

[FrenchieCat]

55. Yep. I don't think he would have to be as visible as Dean was......

and yes, I think he would be excellent. Hope that is who Obama has in mind for the spot.

[madfloridian]

60. Hubby and I worked hard to get us here, too. We appreciate Obama

but see that too quickly things are happening.

This speaking out may mean the end of my time here at DU, as the alerts are apparently flowing.

Yes, there is another way...

[FrenchieCat]

65. We all worked hard to get us here......of course!

The point is that you questioning whether the 50 States strategy is in peril just doesn't make sense, and the scant indicators that you offer don't conclude what you are insinuating.

You have been right and very informative about many things, just not everything.

[madfloridian]

66. One scant indicator is that they are fired.

Gone, laid off.

Why not pull them in, evaluate who is loyal and who is not...then decide.

Unless there is much opposition to the plan from insiders.

[FrenchieCat]

71. you are exhausting.......

really, you are.

I might just take that DU break.

After 8 fucking years of having something to complain about truly,
and as I attempt to renegotiate my mortgage term with my bank
and pay my $1,200 per month in health care,
I've had it up to here.

[Teaser]

54. I was wondering what would happen to panic posts after we won the election

now I know.

[madfloridian]

67. The put down posts continue. That's a shame.

.

[madfloridian]

58. Sorry about that.

Would you like me to hush?

[Coexist]

72. did I say that?

[regnaD kciN]

50. Let's look at this the other way around...

Say that Dean had just extended the contracts of everybody involved with this outreach. (Leaving aside that they were temporary staffers, and that such a step would be an unjustified incursion on his successor's "turf.") And then, the new chair had been elected, and come in and laid all these people off.

Then, you would have had cause to claim that "the 50-state strategy is over!!!!!"

But not now.

At this moment, guessing about what a new DNC chair might do, based solely on your unsupported assumptions (no matter how loudly repeated over and over) that "the old guard is taking control again!!!!" is as fruitless as worrying that the Electoral College voters may decide to give the Presidency to McCain if evidence emerges that Obama is not a U.S. citizen. :crazy:

[mopinko]

56. mad, have a beer. smoke a joint. get a massage. take a hot bath. do whatever

it takes for you to enjoy this moment. whatever it is, it is our country again. we are gonna take good care of it.
take a break.
we love you.

[madfloridian]

57. Thanks I appreciate everyone telling me to leave. Very special, means a lot.

I have been here since 2002, and it seems rather callous.

[berni_mccoy]

61. No one is telling you to leave. Just step back for a minute and consider what you are saying

and whether or not it is founded in the facts or in an unfounded fear.

Everyone appreciates your contributions here, especially me. But I think we are all tired of living in fear.

[madfloridian]

63. This was not a fearful post.

What you guys are doing is trying to overwhelm me so I won't post stuff that needs to be said.

There is nothing wrong with I posted.

Today, NPR declared that Obama started the 50 state plan. That is going on a lot now.

I believe in credit due.

DU now tries to overwhelm people with ridicule, people who differ. Maybe it will work this time, because it is worse than before.

It might work, this might be the end of differing here.

[renie408]

74. Or maybe you are just wrong. It's OK, it happens.

Did or didn't Howard Dean announce a long time ago that he was going to step down after this election?

Were or weren't these staffers hired on a temporary basis to serve at the discretion of the head of the DNC, which will no longer be Howard Dean soon and they knew that their jobs were up for review after the election?

Does Barack Obama control what NPR says?

Have you or haven't you overreacted dramatically without cause because all of the things you are freaking out about are entirely speculative?

[MaineDem]

76. They were hired through the '08 campaign

That was always the plan.

Many just assumed the program would continue.

[renie408]

78. That's what I thought. n/t

[madfloridian]

80. "many" assume it would be evaluated first.

that if it were successful it would be continued.

You know what?

It's over, it will save hubby and me a lot of money monthly.

I know when I am beat.

[renie408]

84. OK, really...You don't think you are freaking out? You are playing drama queen

over a man leaving a job he said he was leaving at this time two years ago, over people being 'let go' from temporary jobs that they knew were likely over at the end of this election, and for Dean not getting the props you think he deserves even though the Obama campaign sent out a letter thanking the DNC and asking for their supporters to send donations to help support the DNC. You are upset that Obama himself has not thanked Dean publicly when I read in another thread that he did. You are refusing to be rational and blaming everybody else for pointing it out.

[madfloridian]

85. Oh, I forgot drama queen.

Thanks for reminding me.

The post was about the plan.

I gave up and asked it be locked. You win.

[madfloridian]

79. Freaking out? Standards for "freaking out " here are very low.

.

[renie408]

81. Oh, I agree that for some the standards here are very low. n/t

[mopinko]

68. i did not say anything about leave.

i said enjoy the moment. i have been walking around trying to figure out if i can live without the angst and anger of the last 8 years. it does feel a little funny. i know there is still stuff to worry about. but i just think that it is really important for people to enjoy what we have done. congratulate ourselves. take a minute for joy.
if that seems callous, then i say please take everything that i just said and double it.

[ShadowLiberal]

62. We need the 50 state strategy to pick up more senate seats in 2010, because 2012 will be a nightmare

Seriously, we've got to keep up this winning strategy in 2010.

I really worry about what'll happen to us in the senate in 2012, there'll only be like 9 republican seats up for grabs that year, all seats we'll likely have zero chance of picking up unless the incumbent gets destroyed in a scandal and runs for reelection anyway.

[bvar22]

70. K&R

Keep up the good work.
You were one of the few here who had the inside line on Florida, and I appreciated your well researched compilations.

I too am troubled by some of the choices Obama has made the last couple of days.
So far, there is very little (none) representation for the grassroots, LABOR, or the Liberal Wing of the Democratic Party on any of the transition teams.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[madfloridian]

73. I love your quote from Wellstone.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone"

Thanks for the kind words..This is not a popular post.

[madfloridian]

82. I have requested this post be locked so people can relax and enjoy.

.

[madfloridian]

83. Before it is locked, before I get called a martyr again...

may I congratulate. It takes a lot to make me give up.
You guys did good.

[madfloridian]

86. Thanks for noticing, Stogie, and for your appreciation of Dean through the years.

http://yborcitystogie.blogspot.com/2008/11/great-job-howard-dean.html

[Runcible Spoon]

87. KnR for madfloridian

please stick around and keep posting. people are reading.

[fadedrose]

91. I started my small monthly contribution to the DNC when Dean

was made Chairman. It remains to be seen whether or not I continue to support the DNC when he is gone. Depends on who is elected....

I think I was contributing to honor Howard Dean, not the party.

Hope it's not a DLC stooge.

[mopinko]

92. howard dean for hhs. i have no real fears for an obama administration.

yes, there is a big turnover right now. people want to go home. people want to get back to their own lives. it has been an incredibly long fight. a rest is deserved by all. i suspect most of those staffers are happy to be laid off, get some unemployment, and get back to what they were doing before george bush hijacked this country.

nobody is abandoning the 50 state strategy. it worked so well that i think it will be not only continued but enshrined in democratic folk lore. i know that some people here are beefing about some of barack's appointments. some people supported him as the lesser of 2 evils. but i supported him wholeheartedly. i trust that he will continue the good work that dr dean started. and as much credit as howard deserves for that strategy, in a way it was not his idea. it was ours. it worked because we the people rose up in every state to take our country back. we thank him so much for the opportunity, and for the foresight to see that what started in his campaign was only the start. but we stood up, and barack led us. it always was about ALL OF US.
including grumpy, slightly maniacal posters on the internet. it is our country again, mad. please pat yourself on the back, and enjoy what we did.
and never give up. we are not trying to silence you. we are just a little worried about you.

[madfloridian]

95. Markos is taking up the fight as well to see that recognition is given..

so all you good people can stop fretting about my mental health.

Markos and other bloggers will be making sure that Dean is not gone without credit due, and I will continue as well.

They are not even mentioning his name.

Now, Markos and Open Left, and couple of FL bloggers are even waking up that they are shoving him out the door, and laying off the staffers hired at local levels...and no real credit due.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/11/9451/6288/273/652635

Denying facts that are pretty obvious hurts all of us. We can love Obama, appreciate the hell out of his win....but we can demand that we grassroots not be shut out.

Sorry, but that's how it is.

Now that I think about it, I am glad this was not locked at my request. The attacks on my mental health hurt, but I can take it.

[mopinko]

96. man, you just can't not be cranky, can you?

you know, when you reach out to a comrade, and they insist that you are attacking them, it is pretty insulting. people are reaching out a hand of friendship and you are spitting on it.
i'm biting my tongue. i think you owe me an apology. and half the other people in this thread, too.

[madfloridian]

98. Not right now, I think it is important to be a little cranky...

about some issues. I have reading up some more on this, and I have talked to a few who are being laid off. It's quite a shock to them. They are local hires, not Dean people....so that should not be an issue.

I guess they never expected it and must adjust. That's how it is.

I see there are more bloggers speaking out now. Not just me. Even Salon has something.

:shrug:

[mopinko]

99. you can be as cranky as you want about the news

without being cranky at people who think of you as a friend and are trying to talk to you.

[and-justice-for-all]

97. I think letting this end is a mistake...

It needs to remain and work as a continuous grass roots program.

[bunnies]

100. Hasnt this been debunked enough already?

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

101. No, it hasn't been debunked yet.

We have heard it is only temporary until the transition, but seems like they would not have stopped the flow of money and laid off those hired locally.

People are very upset with me over what is not my fault. So many of the people surrounding Obama did not do not care for the idea of the DNC working in all 50 states...it's reason to be concerned.

The idea was to have staff on the ground for next year and 2010...ready to go.

I think if they do anything like it, it will be totally top down which kills enthusiasm.

:shrug:

[bunnies]

102. Obama credited it for his win... and continues to talk it up.

The strategy doesnt seem at all endangered going by Obamas words. :shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7844334