Kaine Takes Over DNC; Dean Turns to Health Care Reform Advocacy

I'm sure most of you will agree that Howard Dean deserves way more plaudits than he's getting for the success of his 50-State Strategy, the Dem turnaround at every level of government and the increased strength of the Party structure. He's done an extraordinary job since he took the reins at the DNC in early 2005, when he was elevated to the Party's top slot in large part due to the support of state party officials and grassroots activists. Here Dean gets some praise, albeit from Tweety Matthews, but we'll take what we can get.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was formally introduced by Obama today as the new DNC Chair at a dual appearance at DNC offices. Kaine will be working only part time at his new job until his current gubernatorial term ends in 2010. I don't know how that will work, but it's Obama's call now.

Urge Kaine to Keep 50-State Strategy: Both Obama and Kaine mentioned the importance of competing and engaging ordinary people in all regions of the country, which is a good sign. Nevertheless, I think it's wise to encourage Kaine to continue on with Dean's 50-State Strategy. Democracy for America is urging us to make our views known by signing this petition urging Kaine to do just that.

Click to watch a video of the remarks of Obama and Kaine at today's announcement. Both praise the work of Dean, and Obama goes so far as to call him a visionary. Kaine comes across as a smart, upright, honest and sincere human being. I really like what said at the announcement, and how he said it. Still, questions linger about the future of the Party under Obama-Kaine.

Dean Not Invited: It also angers me to read that Obama was apparently fearful of, or at least opposed in some way to having Dean present at today's announcement. Maybe Rahm Emanuel, who has mocked Dean from day one, wouldn't permit it. Regardless, it doesn't show much class, or genuine appreciation for what Dean pulled off:

Dean, who has clashed with Obama's top aides and Democratic leaders in Congress during his four-year term, is stepping down Jan. 21. "My understanding is that he's traveling, so he couldn't attend," said Tommy Vietor, an Obama spokesman.

Obama's transition officials, however, did not immediately respond when asked whether the former Vermont governor was invited to appear alongside the president-elect and Dean's successor at the news conference.

But Democrats with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering the Obama team, say Dean won't attend the event at the request of Obama advisers.

Here's another article that goes even deeper into the skinny on Obama snubbing Dean, and the generally shabby treatment Dean has gotten from the Obama outfit for some time now. It should be interesting to observe where all this goes when Obama finally discovers he needs allies in the trenches -- not just uncritical admirers still high on election ecstasy.

I have to say it's also somewhat disturbing to me to read that Kaine views his DNC chairmanship as almost a non-partisan post. Of course, this meshes with Obama's post-partisan schtick, but nobody really knows what it will mean when the new President gets into the trenches for real.

Kaine outlined three tasks he would seek to accomplish as head of the DNC: promote Obama's agenda, carry the "banner" of the party and work to expand on the civic engagement begun during Obama's campaign.

Both Obama and Kaine emphasized in their remarks a desire to find solutions to problems regardless of party affiliation -- an unusual declaration given that the Virginia governor was being named as the chief political surrogate for the incoming president. "We are the party of problem solvers and unifiers," said Kaine.

With all this talk about kumbaya moments with Republicans, Independents and people who have no idea what the Parties stand for, I have to wonder if the vaunted inclusiveness applies to members of the progressive base of the Party. As with all things Obama, only time will tell.

Technorati tags: Howard Dean Tim Kaine Barack Obama Democratic National Committee 50 state strategy