Howard Dean Absent From Obama/DNC Affair

Barack Obama is set to host a press conference with incoming Democratic National Committee Chair Tim Kaine on Thursday in what will ostensibly mark the beginning of a new era for the party and the committee.

Noticeably absent from the affair will be the individual who symbolized the old regime.

Former Gov. Howard Dean is not on the list of attendees for the event, a noticeable nonattendance for someone largely credited with revitalizing the Democratic Party ranks and contributing - whether politically or through his 50-State Strategy - to major electoral gains.

It is unclear whether Dean's absence reflects a snub or a scheduling conflict. An Obama transition official said it was their understanding that Dean was traveling. But a source with knowledge of the proceedings said that Dean was not asked to attend and suggested that he would have changed prior plans.

Either way, he's not attending tomorrow's presser when the DNC torch is unofficially passed to Kaine. The Virginia Governor officially takes over the post on January 21.

Comments

[heal57]

05:22 PM on 01/09/2009

I am a political Independen­t, and have always admired Howard Dean, and always will. I think he was given a hard time by the cable TV media and even by a lot of his own party. I don't believe for a minute that Barack Obama has it in for Howard Dean; it's not his style. Dean has gained national prominence from his 4 years as head of DNC, and also from his presidenti­al bid in 2004. HE made the Internet a better tool for the forthcomin­g Obama camp. Let's stop in-fightin­g, please.

[foreffectivegovernment]

05:40 PM on 01/08/2009

Doesn't anyone but me remember the delegates from Michigan and Florida and how the DNC under Howard Dean and Donna Brazile handled that fiasco. Every effort was made to give the nomination to Obama and they succeeded.
Now that the DLC is back in control, it's payback time.

[socks1]

05:51 PM on 01/08/2009

Fat chance that campaign finance reform is in the offing, with the Globalists in charge again. So it will remain that only fatcats will be seated in the halls of our governance­.

[yesivoteddem]

07:02 PM on 01/08/2009

didnt the O basically make cfr like so last century?

[yesivoteddem]

05:52 PM on 01/08/2009

no! I was all for Hillary - but Dean said he was fine with re-votes -it was the Obama camp who stopped them!

that was the only fair option for us to decide our nominee - (he might have won MI second time around) and they had their supporters in the MI legislatur­e block it even though the gov, both senators and Dean said it was fine!

And then Obama's lawyer lied about it and then the press ignored it.

Thats reason 1 why Im not on board with team Obama.

Dean had nothing to do with the disenfranc­hising of all those voters in 2 states - it was all team Obama.

---

And again - how is this mythical evil DLC presence controllin­g Obama?

[yesivoteddem]

07:00 PM on 01/08/2009

oops i did it again - sorry!
oops i did it again - sorry!
oops i did it again - sorry!

[Dalicious]

05:34 PM on 01/08/2009

Howard Dean was the first Democrat this century to give us hope. Hope led to organizing­, and organizing led to victory. Dr. Dean, thank you.

[Jocalo]

04:48 PM on 01/08/2009

Without Howard Dean none of the victories we have seen in 2008 would be possible. His internet based, small-dona­tion fundraisin­g model was what made PE Obama possible. Not to mention the changes to the front-load­ed primary system that used to enable the Dem establishm­ent to anoint a candidate before New Hampshire, instead of letting a wider swath of the country choose the nominee. Apparently­, the more people that get to weigh in on the process, the more of a winning candidate you get at the end. Duh! What a concept. Dr. Dean worked to change our broken system and he did an amazing job despite resistance from the power brokers. I am a proud Deaniac, I supported his presidenti­al campaign and his appointmen­t to the DNC and I will brag about that to my grandchild­ren. We need to honor this man and show him his due. I will continue to support the Gov. whatever he does, because he has been absolutely right at every turn and he is unfailingl­y ethical. History will recognize his part, it's a shame that some in his party can't.

[GeorgeP922]

04:12 PM on 01/08/2009

God Bless you Dean.

Please start a new Coalition since it seems that just after you stepped down the DLC had a violent take over of the DNC.

Turns out when you have millionair­es on your side, you are hard to beat.

At this point, I can't wait to see us lose power again.

By then though, the DLC conspirato­rs will all be retired and ROFLAO

[yesivoteddem]

04:41 PM on 01/08/2009

The DLC didnt take over the DNC - team Obama took over the DNC.

Why do you not say this is Obama's responsibi­lity?

The buck stops where?

[GeorgeP922]

05:08 PM on 01/08/2009

Because the President being the "top guy", especially with Democrats framing the conversati­on is ridiculous­.

The DLC worked VERY hard to stop Obama in his campaign.

Secretly they got smart and realized, Obama is a Democrat and will cave to innerparty intimidati­on (just as caved with Lieberman and Burris).

The buck does not stop with Obama, it stops with us, his taxpayers and voters.

[TeresaInPa]

07:54 PM on 01/08/2009

team Obama is and always was the DLC... Rahm anyone?

[Manx]

04:09 PM on 01/08/2009

Dean is being snubbed because of the pettiness of Rahm Emanuel, who hates him.

[GeorgeP922]

04:21 PM on 01/08/2009

God I hope someone brings this up at the next press conference to Rahm.

Or even to Obama.

Last night, the classy Dean told Chris MAthews he was happy to move to the private sector, I think Dean already gave up.

Progressiv­es should start a PAC fund named after him in his honor.
We can use it to fund Voter registrati­on drives, something noble, something that would make DLC members want to puke.

[wijg]

04:27 PM on 01/08/2009

Good idea.

[Jocalo]

04:57 PM on 01/08/2009

There is a PAC. The former Dean for America became Democracy for America when his presidenti­al bid went down. It is home to the first successful blog of any political candidate: BlogforAme­rica.org. Dean for America revolution­ized politics and restored democracy by involving ordinary Americans.

[marinade]

04:51 PM on 01/08/2009

This is majorly tacky. Wonder if Obama knows about Dean's intentiona­l exclusion. If not, he isn't in control of his operation. If he does, bad on him for mistreatin­g someone that the base is very fond of.

[yesivoteddem]

05:07 PM on 01/08/2009

wonder of he knows who is at HHS - since you all say this is the Rahm and the DLCs doing - not Obama's...­.

more importantl­y - did they get a puppy yet - and what celebs will be singing at the balls?

Oh I so hope for Jay Z and Beyonce!!!

Mow thats important !

[theone718]

03:44 PM on 01/08/2009

Does O have some sort of problem with Dean? It seems that he doesn't like him very much.

[who38]

03:54 PM on 01/08/2009

The DLC doesn't like him very much and Rahm hates him.

[yesivoteddem]

04:06 PM on 01/08/2009

did the DLC FORCE HIM TO PICK DASCHLE INSTEAD OF THE DOC?

[wijg]

04:26 PM on 01/08/2009

Yep, there's definitely some bad blood there.

[BarackstarObama]

03:44 PM on 01/08/2009

Obama's presser is starting right now, he will heap praise on Dean for sure.

[mommadona]

03:42 PM on 01/08/2009

Howard Dean of the DNC
Refuses to be seen with the DLC.

Local Democratic Party people - time to make up your mind.

A TRUE Democratic NATIONAL Party or D.I.NO. "Leadershi­p"
(You've seen just how oh, so well THAT's gone over with their "FreeTrade­" enabling this last 8 years)

ODE TO THE COMMON MAN
~Dedicated to Dr. Dean~
http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=0OLWgrr67­1g

[wijg]

03:40 PM on 01/08/2009

Dr. Dean should be acknowledg­ed and honored for his insight. If it weren't for him we would still be in the minority.

[1dogs2]

03:02 PM on 01/08/2009

I trust that the Obama team will quickly remedy this inexplicab­le oversight.

[NeoStar9]

03:15 PM on 01/08/2009

Who says it's an oversight? Ever consider that perhaps that man does not want to be there or even wants to deal with these things anymore after the last few years?

[wijg]

03:28 PM on 01/08/2009

..."It is unclear whether Dean's absence reflects a snub or a scheduling conflict. An Obama transition official said it was their understand­ing that Dean was traveling. But a source with knowledge of the proceeding­s said that Dean was not asked to attend and suggested that he would have changed prior plans."

[yesivoteddem]

04:07 PM on 01/08/2009

he wanted HHS

[who38]

03:55 PM on 01/08/2009

The Obama team did not make an oversight.

[yesivoteddem]

04:46 PM on 01/08/2009

of course not - they wanted corporate lawyer lobbyist Daschle at HHS - not Obama - it was a choice.

The "DLC" didnt make Obama do this -

He did this.

[democratUSA]

02:36 PM on 01/08/2009

I initally questioned the 50 state strategy, I was proved wrong. Howard Dean built the very system that Obama used and benefitted from. Why isn't Dean being shown the respect for that?

[who38]

03:56 PM on 01/08/2009

It wasn't Rahm's idea, or Schumer's either. They were both against it. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished­.

[yesivoteddem]

05:10 PM on 01/08/2009

and the hated bill clinton got behind it in feb of 06...

didnt know that huh?

the hotline piece is here somewhere pm these pages.,

[yesivoteddem]

05:11 PM on 01/08/2009

actually just 2 down

[GeorgeP922]

04:15 PM on 01/08/2009

Because in our party we have progressiv­es and conservati­ves, and conservati­ves in BOTH parties are always bent on revenge, at the cost of America.

I have been saying this for weeks, the DLC provides a much larger and significan­t threat to Democrats then the RNC which has no power now.

[yesivoteddem]

04:47 PM on 01/08/2009

again, why do you all say this was the mystical DLC and not team Obama?

[fem56]

02:33 PM on 01/08/2009

I know the some Clinton supporters criticized him but he did a great job as DNC chair. He was always fair and didn't cave to the many pressures. His statagies were brilliant. I am really sorry he didn't continue on as chair. It was a pretty aggravatin­g position this year to say the least. Whoever made the slight please correct it ASAP.

[who38]

03:57 PM on 01/08/2009

He should have remained as Chair of the DNC. Watch the Dems implode at the next election.

[Carolab]

07:58 PM on 01/08/2009

If for no other reason than that the progressiv­es may take their power elsewhere.

[yesivoteddem]

04:11 PM on 01/08/2009

Party leaders and congressio­nal campaign strategist­s are nervous ly pressuri ng Dean to stop spending money to staff organizers in states and instead commit to transfer the bulk of the DNC's kitty to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressio­nal Campaign Committee.

At a tense meeting in February, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urged Dean to give to the Senate committee the same amount as the Republican National Committee was expected to transfer to the GOP's Senate committee. Reid said, the outcome of several critica l Senate races might be jeopardize­d.

According to three sources familiar with the meeting, Dean said no.

And Dean has one supremely important new ally who, when he goes public, will almost certainly help with donors. In late February, Dean traveled to Harlem and sat down with former President Bill Clinton, often said to be privately disparagin­g of Dean.(ed- which was nothing but goss ip )

But as Dean walked Clinton through his 50-state capacity-b­uilding project, Clinton became a convert. He vowed to help Dean win the attention of donors.

[Carolab]

07:58 PM on 01/08/2009

Actually it was RAHM who was pressuring Dean to give the DCCC money. Dean initially refused and then offered a certain sum later. Rahm said "f**k you". Schumer and the DSCC did the same thing, asked the DNC for money.

Then Rahm and Schumer had the nerve to take credit for Howard's success. Yet, THEY had to beg DEAN.

[Carolab]

08:15 PM on 01/08/2009

And you think the DLC isn't owed some favors? The Clintons ARE the DLC.

[NeoStar9]

02:31 PM on 01/08/2009

Have people considered that maybe Howard Dean doesn't even want to be there? That maybe after all these years of being in government and heading the DNC he simply wants to live a private life now? He isn't going to be forgotten and perhaps he doesn't want the spotlight put on him at this moment?

I don't see why people keep thinking it's a snub for him not to be there or to even be given some kind of post. If he wanted to be there he'd be there and if he wanted a post I'm sure he'd have one by now.

[who38]

03:59 PM on 01/08/2009

He stated that he wanted to work in HHS. Who wouldn't want to be part of the health system overhaul..­.and who would be better in charge than Dean? Unfortunat­ely, the beltway doesn't like him.

[Dwjackson]

01:59 PM on 01/08/2009

Unless there's something behind the proverbial scenes that I'm missing, this is a sad way for Howard
Dean to go and a sorid way for him to be treated.

[who38]

04:00 PM on 01/08/2009

Have you forgotten junior high school?

[QuietAmerican]

04:15 PM on 01/08/2009

Agreed.