what do people think about Wellington Webb for DNC chair?

[Ken Burch]

I don't support him at this point(am leaning to Dean)but he could be a good second choice if the Deanster flames out again. He's an African American mayor in a large Western red state who has won broad multiracial support in his mayoral campaigns and may have some interesting lessons to teach the party.

Just wondering what others might think.

[Carolab]

1. Webb is way down in percentage points on votes at kos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/14/165150/732

Here is some information on the candidates from Trippi's blog.

http://www.changeforamerica.com/community/node/view/2385

[Ken Burch]

2. thanks for the info.

I'd forgotten about the "baggage" thing.

[Carolab]

3. Meanwhile, there is a big groundswell for Dean.

Hot Off the Presses...
... more buzz about Governor Dean and the groundswell for change at the Democratic National Committee. In the Washington Post:

The audience is rapt whenever Dean speaks. Slimmer and more rested-looking than you remember him, Dean is the former rock star in a field of "American Idol" contestants. His rhetoric follows closely on the "You have the power" theme that marked his presidential campaign. "I'm not much of a Zen person," Dean says, "but I've learned that the best way to gain power is to give it away."

... Yes, Dean keeps saying, he really does want to succeed Terry McAuliffe as titular head of the Democratic Party. But it's telling that people keep asking if he really does. Dean keeps raising the question himself. "People ask me, 'Why are you doing this?' " Dean says Friday night at a rally of 400 supporters at another airport hotel here. "They say, 'You ran for president, and now you want to do this?' "

"It's about reform," Dean says, answering his question. He mentions the successes of his grass-roots organization -- Democracy for America. He mentions the money its members raised, the winning candidates they supported and how he can apply this energy to the central party apparatus.

"Hey, what other candidate for DNC chair can get 400 people to come hear him on a freezing night," says Vicki Walker, a former state representative from Kansas City, Mo., who is supporting Dean.

Read More >



http://blogforamerica.com/

[genius]

6. He's the person people think Dean is. Webb is a strong liberal.

He's pro environment, pro-labor, pro civil rights. He's a civil rights activists. He believes we can unite the party by listening to the activists and minorities. Reverend Jesse Jackson encouraged him to run. He's the only one who could stand up to Bush's minority nominees without worrying about being called a racist.

[eg101]

4. Well, it is hard to find out anything about him

He was the mayor of Denver for a long time.

Pretty effective as mayor.

But how leftist is he? That is the question. Can't find any info on him. But he has worked with his hands: he was a forklift driver (with an MA in Sociology) before going into politics.

In my mind, he would make a better choice than that blueblood frat boy who seems to be a darling among most Democrats.

But really, who gives a damn about who gets this DNC chair. Real change in politics comes from spreading ideas, not electing some egotistical, fame-obsessed, greedhead to some office or chair.

[paulk]

5. from Colorado forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=142x3083

with links to Denver Post article