I have read reports that you may oppose Howard Dean's bid to become Chairman of the DNC. I hope that after reading my thoughts below (and no doubt many similar emails from others) you might reconsider such a stance and perhaps even decide to support the good doctor.
I used to think that just reading the news and voting was all that was required of citizens in a democracy. Then Howard Dean came along and told me I "had the power" and that I had to use it -- that just voting gets you a grade of D in a participatory democracy. If Dean becomes Chairman, people like me (and especially younger people with more time and energy to offer) will respond to his call to service. In fact, there are already hundreds of thousands of grassroots volunteers -- people who worked for "527"s like ACT and PACs such as DFA this election cycle -- who stand ready to work directly for, and contribute to, the Democratic Party if Dean becomes Chairman.
This potential influx of grassroots activism may seem daunting, but it is exactly what the Party needs to begin winning again. At Saturday's DNC Western Regional Caucus, one such Dean-inspired activist put it best when he said, "Some of you in the DNC may see us as barbarians at the gate.... The truth is, we are fresh horses." Right now, the Democratic Party needs a lot of horses.
It's no coincidence that some of the first state chairs and vice-chairs to endorse Dean come from states like Mississippi, Utah, and Oklahoma -- "red" states where Dean's current DFA organization actually helped get Democrats elected in the absence of any meaningful support from the national Party. As Chairman of the DNC, Dean would be able to channel far more resources to every one of the 50 states than DFA could to any of them.
With all three branches of government now fully controlled by the Republicans, the Democrats must stop living election to election and begin laying the groundwork for long-term electoral success. More than anyone else, Howard Dean understands how to do this and can bring the DNC the resources needed to implement his strategy. I hope you will support him and allow Dean to begin the work of rebuilding our Party so we can start winning again.
Thank you for reading this.
Sincerely,
[Jim in Chicago]
Great letter!
It reminds me of what Dean said in his closing statements at the caucus: we need to be the REAL uniters, not dividers.
So, while I am not surprised that Hillary may be meddling to maintain her turf in DC, I don't necessarily see it as a reason to give her vinegar instead of honey. Given her 2008 aspirations, Hillary needs to see us as a potential asset to her political ambitions. If we go negative on her, that is NOT going to help Dean's cause --- it will only drive the wedge further.
As your letter so eloquently articulates, let's follow Dean's lead and express --- in POSITIVE terms --- why we care about this and why it's actually in Hillary's best interests to support Dean.
