Obama just had a regular Press conference introducing his DNC pick. It was not an "Affair".

[FrenchieCat]

For those who believe the Huffington piece about Dean being slighted in reference to being invited to attend an "affair", I'm not quite getting the ire that Obama is evidently earning today on this.

To me, this just appeared to be one more of Obama's regular Press Conferences where he introduces who's he's selected as DNC Chair. Obama said a few words, and then Kaine said a few words, and all of it lasted just a few minutes. Why some would believe that Howard Dean needed to be invited to this press conference is a mystery to me. There was no Affair to speak of, unless something else is scheduled later that I have no knowledge of. Otherwise, this is just standard practice, and it would have been out of the ordinary to have Howard Dean up there for a Press conference introducing Tim Kaine, since he did not select him.

So is there an "affair" occuring later that I am just not aware of?

[Jackpine Radical]

1. It would be both pointless and uncharacteristic for Obama to slight Dean.

It's just not the way he operates.

[FrenchieCat]

6. That's my thinking too.

It would be totally inconsistent for him, and he and Dean have always had a great relationship as far as I can tell.

Plus, a press conference being dubbed an "affair" makes it seem quite transparent that someone wants to divide Dean Supporters away from Obama.

I even recall OBama being on Dean's first Deans List.
and Obama actually supporting Howard Dean as President during the primaries.

Are we all really so gullible that we would speculate in the negative 95% of the time? :shrug:

[Cha]

26. Thanks for radical

logic on this, Jackpine.

[roguevalley]

39. I want Dean to have a say in government because he speaks for

me and everyone else who has only five bucks and a part time job. He is our conscience in government. I love him. Put him in something substantive and let him do more good everyday.

[Jennicut]

2. I think Dean will be at the actual ceremony when the outgoing DNC chair leaves

and the new one comes in. I know Rahm Emmanuel and Dean have had a tumultuous past before but Obama seems to get along with everyone. I think Dean needs to come back to New England and come to CT instead of Vermont, live here a few years and run for Senate against Loserman. We like him here!

[MaineDem]

77. There will be a large gala for Dean when he leaves

It will be at the National Building Museum in DC before the inauguration.

Kaine will be elected at a January 21 meeting of the DNC.

[JuniperLea]

3. Huffington Post isn't infalable...

They are off my daily read list... and close to being on my "unreliable source" list. They are getting far too tabloid for my taste these days.

It's sad.

[monmouth]

7. They're off my list too. Their headlines are way off, they had one earlier

"Mafia Bosses on Facebook." I looked and looked, no such article that I could find unless they removed it. I would have loved to peruse that one (looking for old boyfriends and that sort of thing doncha know.)...LOL.

[JuniperLea]

19. Haha!

Old boyfriends... snicker... and your current boyfriend's old girlfriends! :o

The headlines were the first to cheese me off, and the first to make me think "tabloid."

[monmouth]

29. Hahaha, I'm in my 60s now but back in the day (I'm originally from NJ),

I knew many of the boyz, and their accountants..LOL.

[JuniperLea]

36. How exciting! And a little scary! LOL!!

I have this mental image of the accountants... nervous and sweaty! LOL!

[monmouth]

58. Haha, to be honest, many alcoholic, horse betting, over weight guys

who know how to cook the best Italian I've ever tasted. Ahhh, those were the days my friends..

[DevonRex]

9. For my tastes, too. I'd rather have named sources when there is

dirt like that thrown around. For now, I take a lot of their stuff with a huge grain of salt. Besides, is there a slower site around? I got tired of waiting for an article to load over there a long, long time ago. And the things that have been partially copied over here lately sure haven't made me want to go back and wait to get old before I get to read an article.

[JuniperLea]

14. The ski-lift guy with his pants down comes to mind...

I clicked the link from DU, and it took forever for the story to load. Then I felt badly for the guy... then I felt badly for HuffPo because that was the only thing I looked at over there for months. I hope they are living and learning.

[DevonRex]

23. I tried the other day and gave up. For all I know every article there

might be devoid of actual sources and facts now. Heh. I'm sure we'll have lots of blurbs still posted here to fill us in. :eyes:

[camera obscura]

4. As a Dean fan, the only thing that struck me as annoying was the reference to Rahm Emanuel

besides that it sounds like much ado about nothing. I wish Dean was getting more of a fair shake but... oh well.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Yes, I have heard those stories.

But I do think that Obama would not allow Rham to get any satisfaction against Dean or visa versa....as it is not the way that he operates. Obama ain't "into" slighting anyone going back as far as I can tell. There would be no reason to do this, nor any advantages. But the speculation about Dean vs. Obama is getting on my nerves. Unless someone has real attributable facts from the likes of the Horses' mouths, they really shouldn't get bent out of shape just because they can. Howard Dean knows how to take care of himself, as does Obama and Rahm.

I will say that I very much admire Howard Dean and what he has done for the Democratic party. I just don't want to have us start a fire in mistaking Steam for smoke.

[BklynChick]

5. I read it that way too. I don't get the whole snubbing thing. My god, people, not everything is a

personal slight or needs a cry for outrage. Yikes.

[NJmaverick]

8. The Huffington Post article was long in insinuation and short on facts

seems the author has a personal agenda to pursue, which does not involve the accurate reporting of the news. It would be prudent to wait until the facts are known, before forming an opinion.

[DevonRex]

12. Exactly. As a HUGE Dean fan, I just rolled my eyes at that piece. nt

[NJmaverick]

20. I am a big Dean fan as well. It was a disgraceful article and it undermines

Arianna's efforts to become a more credible news site.

[Cha]

31. I've so learned that after 6 years on DU and

8 years exposure to the media.

I'm a Deaniac from way back and I can't wait to see what he's going to do next but I will.

[merh]

11. An Affair Not To Remember

Starring Obama & Kaine

[FrenchieCat]

13. Was it even 10 minutes long?

:shrug:

[merh]

16. I don't know

I was looking up to the Empire State Building and didn't pay it much attention. :crazy:
















:hide:






I dont' think it took 10 minutes.

[merh]

34. oh come on FrenchieCat

did you get the movie reference?

Damn it, I hate it when the laugh works in my head but doesn't work here. :freak: :(

[FrenchieCat]

42. I remember the movie! Empire State Building, right? :)

[merh]

44. An Affair to Remember

with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr

She got hit by a car looking up at the Empire State Building, where Nicki (Grant) was, waiting for her.

;)

[FrenchieCat]

50. I cry every time at the end of that movie!

:)

[merh]

52. so do I

I have the DVD, whenever I need a good cry, I watch it.

and oh, how I love Cary Grant, he is the best *swoon* :loveya:

[FrenchieCat]

53. My husband claims to have learned to dress and eat

by watching Cary Grant movies when he was young.

Yes, I am married to a Metrosexual! :)

[merh]

59. OMG - you are so lucky

does he have his sense of humor, that little twinkle in his eyes?




My second favorite Cary Grant film is "The Grass is Greener" - another film with Deborah Kerr.

[FrenchieCat]

64. Yep....he is definitely a Keeper, I can say after nearly 29 years of dating,

and nearly 25 years of marriage.

Hubby certainly has the eyebrows, the lips, the hair and the debonaire air of Cary Grant...although he doesn't have that chin! :loveya:

[merh]

65. I was jealous enough of you after you posted your photo

now to know that you have your very own Cary Grant, well, damnit - if you didn't make so much sense when you posted I'd have to put you on ignore. x(

Here's to you and your Cary :toast: - you lucky beautiful people. :thumbsup:

[FrenchieCat]

66. Awe.....Thanks.....but remember, we are all only as lucky as we

decide to feel. I feel blessed but that doesn't mean all is easy....as you probably know. :)

:pals:

[merh]

67. see, it's good I didn't put you on ignore

I need the wise reminder about feeling good and lucky - still swooning at the thought of having a Cary Grant of your own. damn, lucky girl. :pals:

[AlCzervik]

15. i love Howard Dean but i'm not a fan of Huffpo.

i don't think Obama would intentionally slight Dean.

[FrenchieCat]

22. I'm at a loss to find someone that Obama has slighted

to date (not counting most in the gay Community with his Warren fiasco on the 2 minute invocation, but I don't think that was is planned intent).....on expressed purpose.

I know that he knows what Howard Dean did for the DNC.

[scheming daemons]

17. Not to mention the fact that Dean is on a plane to Samoa......

[TheKentuckian]

18. I want Dean more involved as well but

I think it would be risky to put him as the face of health care reform because Howard is a lighting rod. So, it probably was more of a Dean vs. Rahm for Chief of Staff and Rahm brings the Luca Brasi vibe to the table.

[cali]

21. well, you're wrong. And it IS standard for the past chair to be present

<snip>

Obama's transition officials, however, did not immediately respond when asked whether the former Vermont governor was invited to appear alongside the president-elect and Dean's successor at the news conference.

But Democrats with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering the Obama team, say Dean won't attend the event at the request of Obama advisers."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkEHXJnMfa0MYVJIoggObMda83uwD95J6FIG0

[DevonRex]

24. More unnamed sources and who knows what agendas. nt

[FrenchieCat]

25. I'm sorry, but can you explain to me the "affair" that you posted about earlier?

And if it is "standard" for the past chair to be present for a 10 minute news conference, could you provide something to back up that statement....as I did not find anything that said that a past Chairman normally is at the press conference of the New chairman being announced?

Beyond that, the AP article uses plural in their statement "Dean, who has clashed with Obama's top aides...", yet the only person that I have ever heard mentioned was Rham.

I'm sorry, but I think that you are being set up to do exactly what that AP article and the Huffington one had been written to do. I may be all the way wrong, and I will apologize to you if that is the case, but it appears that you are building a flimsy case for your thoughts on Obama and Howard Dean from where I sit based on the evidence presented thus far.

[cali]

27. It's Rahm, not Rham. You keep making that error.

and you're wrong. I've been talking to a friend here who used to work for Dean as well as another friend who's an editor for a statewide newspaper here, and they've both said that Dean was dissed.

I've presented two articles that say that Dean was snubbed. I realize you don't want to believe anything whatsoever that you think reflects badly on Obama, but there's ample evidence that Dean has been treated shabbily by Obama.

[countingbluecars]

30. When you throw in attacks

that have nothing to do with the debate, it appears that you are losing the argument.

[FrenchieCat]

46. Sorry about the Rahm mix up. It is not like I have been writing up the guy's name for long.

I haven't been that much of a fan of his.....so please excuse that error.

I was just asking about the term "Affair" being used to build up a less than 10 minutes standard press conference that Obama had in introducing his DNC pick. I still think it makes it out to be more than it was. As far as Howard Dean being snubbed according to your two sources, did they say why, Obama would go to such lengths to snub Howard Dean?

[pot luck]

28. Are these the same sources who leaked the Leon Panetta pick

to, as Howard Fineman reported the other night, stir up trouble? I don't trust anyone who is too cowardly to attach their names to their gossip.

[DevonRex]

32. That would make a lot of sense. Thanks for the reminder. nt

[Captain Hilts]

35. Yes, it IS. Especially right now when business is slow. And Kaine could have come any day. nt

[madfloridian]

33. From the AP today. From Politico. From Washington Monthly.

All unreliable as well??

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jkEHXJnMfa0MYVJIoggObMda83uwD95J6FIG0

"BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is appearing Thursday at Democratic Party headquarters with his hand-picked incoming chairman, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, but his predecessor, outgoing chief Howard Dean, was nowhere in sight.

Dean, who has clashed with Obama's top aides and Democratic leaders in Congress during his four-year term, is stepping down Jan. 21.

"My understanding is that he's traveling, so he couldn't attend," said Tommy Vietor, an Obama spokesman.

Obama's transition officials, however, did not immediately respond when asked whether the former Vermont governor was invited to appear alongside the president-elect and Dean's successor at the news conference.

But Democrats with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering the Obama team, say Dean won't attend the event at the request of Obama advisers."

And from Politico:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0109/Howard_and_Rahm.html?showall

"Obama, introducing Tim Kaine at the DNC, showered praise on Howard Dean -- who, unaccountably, isn't present, a scheduling conflict being taken by some close to Dean as a snub.

In a discordant note, Obama praised Dean for retaking the House, "working with my chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel."

"Working with" is a bit of a stretch: The two clashed bitterly over how to allocate resources, with Emanuel voicing frequent frustration at Dean's insisting on spending in the red states.

A prominent Dean loyalist emailed angrily about Obama's reference to Emanuel.

"This is really insulting," the Dean backer emailed."

And from the Washington Monthly:

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_01/016356.php

""With that in mind, if you're going to have an event to introduce a new DNC chair, the least you can do is have Dean around and sing his praises. Yes, he's traveling today, but a) the event could have been scheduled for a different day; and b) Dean would have rearranged his schedule if asked.

I can kinda sorta understand not asking Dean to lead HHS. And I realize he probably wouldn't have been the ideal Surgeon General. But leaving him out of today's event at the DNC is very hard to understand.

For what it's worth, I don't think Obama is deliberately snubbing Obama. From what I hear, the two get along very well, and Obama has said more than once that Dean's 50-state strategy laid the groundwork for his own bottom-up presidential campaign. For that matter, I can think of a reason why Tim Kaine would harbor any animosity towards Dean.

So, what explains today's Dean-less event? I'm at a loss."

[madfloridian]

40. Well, waiting for an answer. Are they all unreliable?

Are we all trying to be troublemakers? OR is Obama turning to Rahm and Kaine and leaving Dean out of the mix?

[FrenchieCat]

41. Well that does it then.......

according to piled-on media sources.....as it appears that NAMED sources are coming forward to the only conclusion available; Obama IS dissing Howard Dean because Obama must be a vindictive pompous ingrateful and non loyal little creep....or so I gather.

You have proven the case of a less than 10 minutes Press Conference's new name; an Affair!

[jenmito]

37. K& (5th) R!

It took about 5 min. or so and they both complimented Dean profusely.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

38. The media like to play

[BrklynLiberal]

43. Isn't Dean on his way to American Samoa?

[madfloridian]

45. Hot Line and MSNBC First Read....

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/01/obama_tomorrow.html

"Pres.-elect Barack Obama has two big events tomorrow; he'll give what the transition is billing as a major speech on the economy during a morning event at George Mason University, and he and VA governor Tim Kaine, the next party chairman, will do a press event at the Democratic National Committee.

.."Meanwhile, Kaine will replace Howard Dean at the DNC. Dean leaves having spurred the creation of the once ridiculed 50-state plan. And while Kaine, who loyally endorsed Obama during the Democratic primary and before VA's critical contest, has landed in a position key to the party's future and allowing him a direct line to the soon-to-be administration, Dean has been left out to pasture.

Dean. Passed over for any of the Cabinet or govt. posts -- HHS or surgeon general -- that might have been suitable for the Vermont doctor. Or those positions that would've been perhaps less fitting but equally hard-earned. Obama has been meticulous in wrapping former adversaries into his orbit, but Dean seems the one person who has gotten truly shafted by Obama's team. It seems unfortunate -- unfair even -- because outside of Obama's immediate campaign crew, one could argue Dean did the most -- especially as the Democratic primary appeared stalemated last spring --to keep the party from imploding over the superdelegate counting frenzy. And to allow Obama to emerge victorious, even after Hillary Clinton won several critical contests -- read PA, among others -- and made strong and many believed valid play for the nomination."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/08/1736885.aspx

"*** Snubbing Dean? After delivering his speech on the stimulus today, Obama will head to Democratic National Committee to hold a press conference with the man he has selected to lead his party, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. But there will be one notable absence -- Howard Dean, the current DNC chair. Dean is reportedly traveling today to American Samoa, but had he been invited to participate at today’s event, those travel plans could always be rescheduled. Why wasn’t Dean invited? Your guess is as good as ours. While it would be wrong to suggest that Obama’s victory in November was somehow directly tied to Dean, the former Vermont governor did provide Obama with a roadmap he used (internet fundraising, 50-state strategy, a people-powered campaign). Perhaps more important, as head of the DNC, Dean was a pretty even-handed referee during the contentious Obama-Clinton fight. Does anyone not think that the decisions on the disputed Florida and Michigan primaries would have turned out differently had a Terry McAuliffe or Harold Ickes been DNC chairman instead? No doubt that Obama will have some nice words about Dean, and Obama’s transition office insists they aren’t snubbing Dean here. But the current chairman’s absence is hard to explain away."

[FrenchieCat]

48. I'm sorry, are there named sources in the further media pile on you link?

Cause I'm not seeing any names, but rather a speculative feed off.

Perhaps this is good to have the media stir up controversy on this via unnamed sources, as it might get us some answers to our questions directly from the sources.

Speculations and unnamed sources for rumors are fine, especially if you believe what the media puts out, but maybe this will get us to the truth, whatever that truth is....because I'm not seeing much of a real answer in these article, apart from the stoking of fire.

[madfloridian]

51. Let's see.....we are supposed to accept so far...

An anti-gay, anti-choice preacher who thinks women are inferior and must stay in their roles of submission....for the invocation. It's just one prayer, you know. :sarcasm:

We are supposed to accept a man whose greatest accomplishments have been to keep the liberals from having say in the party. Rahm is the face of the party, and Dean is shoved aside. Rahm by his own words (YES... I have them in a post recently)...says to keep the liberal part of the party from having much say.

We are supposed to shut up and sit down while an anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-union head of the DNC is chosen. One who wants politicians to speak openly of their religion.

We are supposed to shut up and sit down.

[FrenchieCat]

57. Boy....talking about the bigtime pile on!

Like I said.....I want to go back and vote in Hillary Clinton in the primaries. You have convinced me that she would have simply been head over shoulders about and beyond Obama in everyway!

Better yet, let's go back to 2004 and vote for Howard Dean in those primaries, and let's just make him President now!....and this time around, we will make sure that no one believes the hundreds of media sources, which are now your BFFs that stated that Dean screamed when he didn't. The same media, in large part, that were perfectly evil enough to destroy Howard then....but should be believed now in order to demonstrate that there is a sinister wedge and ultimate snub being played by Obama and his team against Howard Dean and Barack Obama.

How come the only people to ever say "shut up and sit down" are those who are the "victims"...while their supposed agressors who are supposed to be the ones that are supposed to mean these things never actually say this or anything even remotely near? In that sense you remind me of the articles you have linked; implying that someone else is saying what it is that you are saying without any real cause for saying it.

[ananda]

47. Kaine is rightist, anti choice, and anti gay.

Any more questions about our upset
over Dean's slighting???????

[FrenchieCat]

49. That's it.......

The Democratic party as we have known it just died based on the selection of Kaine.
I'm sure the bigot will go out of his way to make sure to drive a wedge between the left and the right in the Democratic party. After all, Obama was elected to make sure that once he is finished, the Democratic party as we once knew it to be no more. What a fucked up piece of shit he is; Him and Kaine!

I want my primary vote back so I can vote for Hillary Clinton. She would have done a much better job to date.......I'm feeling convinced.

[zulchzulu]

54. Did somebody say AFFAIR!!! Obama had an affair????

:sarcasm:

[camera obscura]

56. With Tim Kaine! Someone call the media!

[zulchzulu]

72. Alert the Puffington Host! n/t

[K Gardner]

75. It was a threesome, with Howard Dean. In the Blair House.

[karynnj]

55. I think that it is because the announcement of Kaine was the logical time

to commend and thank the exiting DNC head.

In fact, in February 2005, there was a big event where McAuliffe was thanked for his time at the DNC. Both Bill Clinton and John Kerry thanked him for the work he did. (Here's the CSPAN coverage of it - http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=185500-1 ) This was about a week before Howard Dean was elected the DNC chair on February 12, 2005.

I can think of no organization where a SUCCESSFUL leader ( McAuliffe was less successful than Dean) was not given some recognition when he stepped down. Add to that, that he clearly signaled he might want a position - and none was apparently offered.

I know Obama is busy with a million really important things - but seriously, someone should have been assigned to tie this up in a more appropriate manner.)

[FrenchieCat]

61. Howard Dean steps down on January 20th,

and because a Dem won the presidency, there was no election, etc... of a new DNC leader.
My point is that the circumstances are not the same.

Perhaps the media and their rumors and insinuations are correct.....that's not what I am saying one way or the other....

My point is that I remain a skeptic and will not glue a piece here and a piece there, all unattributed, to come to a conclusion about three Dems, all that I like very much. I refused to be used in that manner, because it would be too easy to do.

And of course, if I am proven wrong and Howard Dean was snubbed purposely or accidently or whatever, I will be the first to call that a major foul against Barack Obama's managerial and possible agenda on this. My thing is that I don't do that kind of finger pointing against an important and liked Dem unless I have some...like..real evidence.

[karynnj]

74. The fact that a leader stepped down is the same in both cases

In 2005, there was a major fete for the outgoing leader, in 2009 there appears to be nothing.

This has nothing to do with how the successor is chosen - by appointment or election. The point is that the leaders of the Democratic party - mostly Obama now - did nothing public (to my knowledge for Dean) where Kerry (no McAuliffe fan) and Clinton did for McAuliffe.

I don't think this means Obama is a terrible person or that he was out to be nasty to Dean - it just seems that there was a misstep here by someone.

[MaineDem]

78. Actually, the 21st

He will call the meeting of the DNC to order and conduct the election of the new Chair. Then he steps down.

[smalll]

60. I guess the key question to be answered is, were there refreshments served to anyone?

If Kaine and others were offered coffee and cookies, that might count as a snub of Dean. If there was a tray of hors-d'oerves (sp?) around, it definitely counts as a snub. It's ... Canape-gate!

[FrenchieCat]

62. Now see, I think that's kind of funny.....

in terms of rating an "affair"'s importance!

[firedupdem]

68. damn that was a good point about the media! When they slammed

him for screaming or not screaming yoowwww! they were shit, but now that they say Obama is being mean to dean they are right on the money! Ridiculous!!!!!

It's funny hillary moved on and it looks like dean is too.....but everybody else is still stuck.

Gawwwd! If Obama held it together throughout the primaries after being called all sorts of names etc. Why would he seek to destroy Dr. Dean? Just makes no sense to me. I don't see him as a vindictive person....what would he have against dean?

[FrenchieCat]

69. Nor would he allow others to sway him against Dean....

Considering that this hasn't worked in swaying him away from others that actually have done things to him that weren't very nice. :shrug:

[firedupdem]

71. hello!!! n/t

[Uzybone]

63. Too many on this board are dupes

easily duped into believing any kernel of crap the MSM throws at them. No wonder we kept getting steam rolled by the GOP until fighters like Obama and Dean came around.

Of course some others want Obama to fail, so they jump at anything they can use to divide Obama supporters.

[firedupdem]

70. You said it....

Just listened to Cafferty ask his question. Do you still support Obama? He based that on all the sniping from his own party.

My son, only 15 asked a question last night and I blew it off but maybe he has a point.

Mom, do you think people supported Obama because he was the best candidate and it was the right thing to do, but now they can't stand the sight of him heading into the whitehouse?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[madfloridian]

73. We can only get fooled so many times.

And then we don't.

Continue with the ridicule.

It works.

It makes bullies feel better and more important. But the deal is that Dean was given the shaft.

Continue with the bullying.

[FrenchieCat]

76. Bully is relative......

as it takes one to know one....
There are some who feign the victim, but are quite agressive with their agenda.