Maybe this is the reason Vilsack dropped out of DNC race for chair

[a new day]

Vilsack was second to Dean in a survey of 155 DNC members conducted last week by National Journal, a Washington, D.C.,-based political report. Party officials expect the committee's roughly 400 members to vote on a new chairman in February.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041123/NEWS10/411230405/1001

A poll, of course, is only a snapshot it time, but this sample of a over a third of the DNC members shows that Vilsack had a struggle ahead to come out on top -- and he ducked it.

The grassroots is speaking here. The top leadership positions were talking up Vilsack, but the people you don't hear about want Dean.

[Cheswick2.0]

1. I'd love to see that poll and where Donna Brazile polled

It could explain her decision and subsequent nasty sniping about the inadequacies of the candidates.

[janx]

2. We have to face the facts:

There are some people who don't want Dean to run in 2008 and who see his taking the DNC position as a way to accomplish that. The same people, no doubt, would love to see DFA folded into the DNC.

And some of these same people, moreover, were the ones who wanted the emails of Dean supporters almost as soon as Dean dropped out of the race.

[madfloridian]

3. That I agree with a lot.

It is definitely the plan. Just combine the two, and all is well they think.

It anyone makes a move in that direction, I get an I after my name.

I watched the October Charley Rose interview again, just to see if I remembered it correctly. And I did. I think there was more Dean won't talk about that an ex-president said to him.

[mrgorth]

4. C'mon ya'll

We can't keep this up. If Dean gets blocked at the DNC we claim subterfuge. Now, if he gets the DNC we claim subterfuge. Two things that can easily be pointed to are Dean's ability to rally the troops and raise money. Dean will do a great job at the DNC. Let's let ourselves be happy if he gets it.

[janx]

5. I will be happy if he gets it!

But that's because I'll know that he sees a way to make it work for the people.

[mrgorth]

8. That's the spirit!

[madfloridian]

6. My point is I don't want DFA blended with DNC.

It would not work.

[eridani]

13. Would it have to be?

I would think that all the members of DFA would insist on a separate identity. Dean would really shake up the Dems in a good way, I think.

[madfloridian]

7. Actually there are posts here that say this very thing.

Get Dean out of the way in the primaries by supporting him for DNC chair..

I don't care...I don't care. I just hate sabotage among the Democrats and at a Democratic forum. Tired of it. Weary.

I just hate the pretense.

[JNelson6563]

10. I just snicker at them

they are truly ignorant. Chairing the DNC is a great way to build a power base. Dean could always resign to run for Prez. Apparently this concept is beyond the grasp of some but, having seen where those comments come from, no surprise here.

;-)

Julie

[unfrigginreal]

11. Don't underestimate the power of Dean's enemies

He doesn't. A decision to run for DNC chair must be carefully made and I suspect that's why we haven't heard a decision from him yet.

[belle]

12. I think a lot of us are tired and heartsick. I sympathize.

[a new day]

9. Indeed. This is good news

Everybody in politics is looking for a leg up on someone else, that doesn't mean you give up on the whole process.

155 people (people who get to vote) out of 402 currently like Dean for the job. They may have all kinds of motives, but certainly they all primarily want the DNC to do better. That many people siding with us generally is positive.

Showing our support may help Dean remove any strings from their support, like not running in 2008. Hell, the candidate should be the leader of the party anyway.