It's likely Dean will be out of job soon. What will happen to the DNC then?

[cali]

If Hillary wins the primaries, Dean will be out, and I wouldn't be surprised if that happened before the Convention in Denver. What will the DNC under Clinton look like? And let's face it, Dean isn't the favorite of most DC insiders.

Will the DNC immediately revert to top down model? During times when the dems have the WH (or the repukes), it's usually an arm of the Presidency. Will grassroots politics suffer a blow?

[Botany]

1. please

[cali]

3. sorry, this ain't chicken little stuff.

I'm hardly wailing about liberals being dragged off to prison camps. It's a likely scenario, in the not too distant future.

[Botany]

6. After 2006 they would catch hell for dumping Dean

Besides Hillary is not a "done deal" yet .... not by a long shot.

[Submariner]

9. A couple of more of those "cackle" laughs should do her in permanently

It's just a matter of time.

[flashl]

8. In that blacks vote primarily Democratic, it seems that the day has arrived. n/t

[Gman]

2. I don't think Dean will leave before the election next year

regardless of Hillary. At least I sure as hell hope not. I believe the DNC elects the chair so as long as he has the support of the committee he should remain chair. I gotta admit though, this is one position I really don't know for sure how it's handled.

[BridgeTheGap]

5. It depends on whether the eventual nominee agress with the 50 state strategy

There are many "insiders" who see this strategy as a waste of resources and want to focus on the contested states, which becomes more of an issue for presidential races.
The Democratic party needs a real awakening and much organizing at the grassroots level. I've seen signs that it's happening but we're still a long way off from a true grassroots revival.

[flashl]

12. IMHO. "Insiders" strategies = $$$ to consultants

This means fewer dollars for grassroot efforts.

[waiting for hope]

18. Edwards believe in the 50 State strategy -

I pray that Edwards wins - Carville has been eying the job since Nov 8, 2006. I can't stand the roach, he is not a true Democrat and where he will lead the is a scary thought if he were to take over as chair.

[papau]

16. I agree - Dean will leave in 2009 n/t

[bahrbearian]

4. Isn't Carville in need of a Job?

I fear you may be right, we can look forward to some more Blue Dogs.

[Lerkfish]

7. what happens when Clinton loses the primaries?

as long as we're speculating.

[cali]

10. Dean probably still goes, but

the DNC might have a chance of continuing on the path that Dean set in on.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. It would not be a surprise if whomever is the nominee wants to put their guy in there

Dean may not have to be replaced. He can be eased out of most his duties and continue to serve as a figure head.

[cali]

14. LOL. You don't know who Dean is, do you?

I know some of you are eager to have the DNC revert to its old ways. In the long run, it'll hurt the party.

[karynnj]

15. I don't know

I do agree with the op that Clinton would change the leadership. In her case, she has McAuliffe who could immediately take over and make changes.

The others would likely either see that Dean did an excellent job in 2004 or would see that replacing the DNC head just as it has to crank up in a major way would likely be a bad idea. The real HRC is different is that the Clinto's in fact have a "shadow DNC" of the DCCC and the DSC in addition to othe WJC administration people.

There were stories that Kerry considered firing McAuliffe. In reality, it seems that his campaign had enough troble with the Clinton people and other campaign people brought in and who bad mouthed the campaign almost immediately. People who blame the Kerry/Kennedy people the most should consider they ran a nearly flawless primary campaign from late 2003 though getting the nomination.

I know that running the campaign was part of Kerry's responsibility - and that he did a far better job on being the candidate than he did on that, but many of the people complaining the loudest, were part of the problem. The constant whining that he was not listening to Clintons advice to stick to domestic issues is an example. Clinton and his people did the same whining in 2000, that when reported added to Gore's negative perception.

In 2008, any candidate other than Clinton, would likely keep Dean. He is far less likely that McAuliffe was to be off on the wrong message. In 2004, even after just running himself, he became a very good surrogate for Kerry. I assume he would for any other candidate.

As to the 50 state approach, the DNC is not focused just on the Presidential race. Only if there is a functioning party everywhere can we be positioned to take advantage of a Republican candidate who falls apart in a read district. Frankly, as long as there is an electoral congress, the swing states will get the bulk of the appearances of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.

In 2004, it would be very hard to argue that Kerry (or Edwards) should have eliminated a day of campaigning in Ohio or Pennsylvania and instead gone to Missouri, or even more so, Mississippi. At any rate, those calendars are not controlled by the DNC.

[glowing]

13. Definition of grass roots is?__________________

When do people stop looking for a leader and start realizing it comes from within? Are we all sheeple waiting for our Messiah (and seriously Al Gore isn't God, lay off the man already)? Every great leader that has come into our American and worldwide history has realized the power of people and the power from within. Now is the time to realize what is within you.

[cobalt1999]

17. Dean has made a lot of new enemies in Michigan & Florida

Regardless of Clinton's success, that is a lot of money and people to have against him if he expects to stay longer than 2009.

[Ninga]

21. It is his job to enforce the DNC rules.

[truebrit71]

19. Dean goes? I go. Dead simple.

I have no interest in being associated with the Democratic Corporate Party anymore than I would have an interest in supporting the Republican Corporate Party.

[Ninga]

20. Because of Dean's 50 state strategy, Democrats from dog catcher to school boards to

to state offices and well as federal, have been elected.

Because the DNC helped them.
Because Dean morphed his presidential promises into to DNC policy.
And Dean's policies......worked.......

He was not given once ounce of credit for the 2006 results by the likes of Rahm Emanual, or other DLC'ers.

I doubt he would want to stay on as party chair if Hillary is the nominee.