in the party when one door was closed. I was glad to read this tonight at Huff Post. I have said it shows the real character of a man when they are so viciously treated by the media, even by their own party...to get up and start over again in another way.
Howard Dean as a role modelIn the in midst of this chaotic presidential season, while we wait for the people of Guam to help finally crown a Democratic nominee, I took a few moments today to look back on a quieter, simpler time -- and by that I mean, of course, the 2004 presidential race. And it occurred to me how something somewhat strange happened in that race that went somewhat unnoticed outside the Beltway: Howard Dean passed fairly seamlessly from being a leading candidate to the head of the Democratic National Committee.
"Now, that's kinda like running for homecoming queen and instead being happily appointed head of the student council events committee. It's not a glamorous post. It probably involves more headaches than huzzahs. But proms just don't throw themselves, and if your devotion is to your compatriots more than your own glory, it's not a bad job to fill.
It's a cliche that politicians are consumed by blinding personal ambition, that compels them to surmount every obstacle and tear down every foe on their way to a particular office or legislative accomplishment. I don't know how true that really is. But Dean's transition at least from candidate to party chair is a case study in one politico actually wanting to do the hard work of making the trains run on time, getting money in the bank, and making sure all the moving parts of the party run smoothly (or at least don't bring the party to a grinding halt.)
I like this from the comments. One of the comments said there is:
the fundamental decency in this man. Throughout his run for the party nomination, Dean didn't do anything destructive to his Party or the democratic process. He didn't poison the relationship between his supporters and that of other candidates. Despite all the negative press on him in recent years, he has kept his focus and steadfastly pursued the 50-state strategy, which resulted in the Dem's comeback in 2006."
He started out wanting to be president to bring change to the country. Then he in his own words saw the shape the party was in throughout the country....so he stayed around to see what he could do.
Florida is trying to define his chairmanship on their terms. They have bullied him mercilessly. He has not lost his cool about it. They have hurt his fundraising...demanded refunds.
But in the long run no matter what happens he has shown us the party needed to be reborn from the bottom up....and I don't think anything else will be acceptable in the future.
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