The Huffington Post is reporting that Governor Howard Dean will step down as Democratic National Committee Chairman after serving just one term.
Dean, who has been serving in the post since 2005, has said in the past that he would serve only one term, though his successful work with the Obama campaign had led some Democrats to wonder whether he would stay on into the next administration. This won't be the case, officials at the DNC confirm. He will serve as chair until his term ends in January. The party will settle on a new head when it hosts a meeting during the week of Obama's inauguration.
The Huff Post is also reporting a name being floated around as a possible Dean replacement is one of the president-elect's closest allies: Claire McCaskill, the junior Senator from Missouri and a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.
The key for states like Texas will be if the next chair will remain committed to the 50 State Strategy. It has absolutely relieved the burden on local and regional organizations to help organize 254 counties and helped turn Texas blue.
Going into a redistricting year, regardless of who chairs the party infrastructure, we need national support to protect big gains in red and purple states.
Today, Obama's Texas state director Juan Sepulveda sent out an e-mail asking Texas volunteers to help Obama win New Mexico, the Houston Chronicle reports.
The incredible energy generated by our Texas Two-Step registration drive on March 4th has only grown since the convention.
We're building an organization to harness this energy for change in Texas and keep bringing folks into our grassroots movement -- not just here, but all over the country.That's why we need your help.
As an Obama supporter in Texas, you can make a huge impact by traveling to New Mexico to speak with undecided voters about why Barack Obama and Joe Biden will bring the change we need.
New Mexico is a crucial battleground state -- one of only two that voted for Al Gore in 2000 and George W. Bush in 2004. This year, we have a real shot to win in New Mexico but the race is extremely close and every vote can make the difference.We are organizing a trip from Texas to New Mexico to grow our movement there.
Will you take a short trip to New Mexico for Barack?
Thanks to your incredible work, we've registered tens of thousands of new voters in Texas and brought folks into the process who had felt left behind by the politics of the past.
You've helped build an incredible organization here, and we'll continue to build our movement. But we also have the opportunity to use our organization to make a major impact on this election not only in Texas but in New Mexico.
I've seen this movement in action, and I know we are a big enough state to do both.There are less then eight weeks left and that means Election Day, November 4th, will be here before we know it.
Traveling to New Mexico to spread Barack and Joe's message is one of the most important contributions Texans can make this election -- by doing so, we will be directly helping Barack Obama become the next President of the United States.
P.S. -- If you won't be able to travel to New Mexico, you can still make an impact by volunteering here in Texas to keep our movement growing. Get involved.
Clearly, New Mexico is an important swing state but right here in Texas we have plenty of races -- from county offices to the state legislature where we are just five seats away from taking control to all the statewide offices -- that desperately need our help.
In June, Obama adviser Steve Hillenbrand had these very encouraging (and exciting) words to say:
"Texas is a great example where we might not be able to win the state, but we want to pay a lot of attention to it. It's one of the most important redistricting opportunities in the country."
I was really excited by the prospect of a true 50-state strategy this year but the dream is not being fulfilled.
Earlier this week, there was word that Obama was pulling most of his staffers out of Georgia, a state that the campaign had pledged to make a battleground and many had thought Obama had a decent shot at. Georgia is also home to several hotly contested congessional races that would have benefitted from having Obama staffers in the state.
I understand that the Obama campaign (and us all) must focus on getting to 270 electoral votes but we also cannot afford to overlook the important down ballot races that will effect the everyday lives of millions of Americans.
What do you think? Will you be traveling to New Mexico or staying in Texas to help your favorite local candidate?
Really? Traveling to New Mexico is the best way I can help? Yeah, I know it’s not likely that the votes of people in my neighborhood or county (or any county in Texas) will count to help elect Barack Obama because of the Electoral College, but it damned sure might help elect filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate that would sure help him govern when he’s president. No. No. For Obama’s campaign, our place is in New Mexico.
I just finished reading R.G Ratcliffe's article about Texas' role in the 50 state strategy. While we are all speculating that Sen. Obama will not be doing a lot of campaigning in Texas that could change based on a different focus.
(A follow-up note: This story was printed above the fold in the San Antonio Express-News this morning.)
Many are predicting that Texas will go to McCain in the general election. That may be true but there's more at stake in Texas than just the 34 electoral votes. There are the down-ballot races headed by Rick Noriega. His race along with the congressional races provides some opportunity to start turning Texas blue again, district by district.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe has announced in an e-mail to supporters that they plan to have staff members in every state this fall.
This is a big win for those (including myself) who advocate for Howard Dean's 50 state strategy. An Obama (and, by extension, a Democratic) presence in every single state this year will go a long way to strengthening our party's brand across the nation.
People like you have been the heart of Chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to rebuild our party and empower Democrats to compete everywhere. We've all seen the energy and enthusiasm at the grassroots level impact races up and down the ballot over the last three years.
I am proud to announce that our presidential campaign will be the first in a generation to deploy and maintain staff in every single state ...
Of course, some states will be more competitive than others, and we will scale our resources accordingly.
But your work building our party means that the list of competitive states will be longer than ever before -- and it will include states like Virginia and Montana where your work has helped a Democratic resurgence at the state level.
And in every single state, no matter what the likelihood that we carry it in the fall, our staff will build volunteer capacity that will provide help where we need it and impact races up and down the ballot this November.
I really agree with the last paragraph. It is great to see our nominee acknowledge the importance of building a strong grassroots organization in every state not just for this election but for many, many elections to come.
obama smiling during editorial meet of indianapolis star in indiana
Note: Next edition of This Week With Barack Obama, April 27-May 3, 2008 will be under the management of Al Rodgers, next Sunday, May 4, 2008. I am in Indiana from Friday through Wednesday, for the crucial Indiana Primary on Tuesday May 6, 2008. I will be working in NW Indiana between Gary, Valparaiso and South Bend. So, give Al the love you give me on this weekly. Peace.
Since you last heard from me, we are closing in on our goal of raising $25,000 to get our attack ad on cable TV. In less than two weeks we have raised $5,128.25. With your help we have the Goper’s in Fort Bend County running scared. Even Gov. Rick Perry is worried about Fort Bend.
The Fort Bend Herald, Fort Bend County’s largest newspaper, reported last Friday that the local republicans are terrified of us democrats.
“The Democratic Party in Fort Bend County this year is well funded and has been highly active, said more than one Republican candidate at the Fort Bend County Republican Party Executive Committee meeting…”
Today is Friday, September 1st. You have the power to make it the last day Republicans were secure and cocky about running the country. For less than what you paid to see Tom Cruise pretend to save the world, you can really and truly change the world - and maybe just save it, too.
(I'm thinking about setting up a Democratic Reunion event for BOR readers to get together and discuss the future of this blog. Would y'all be interested? - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Author's note: I'm posting this everywhere because it's a 50-State kind of thing! I hope Texans come out strong, ever since working in the 28th I have a special place in my heart for Texas Dems!
Mark your calendars:July 29th we all take a huge leap forward.
Last year we took the first step. On November 15th we held the National Organizing Kick-off. Across the country Democrats gathered together and starting putting the pieces together to organize in every state, district and precinct. Then in April we held the Neighbor-to-Neighbor National Organizing Day. It was an unprecedented effort. Six months before an election, holding a 50-State Canvass, and together we talked to over a million voters.
