Do you Approve of the Job that Howard Dean is doing as Chairman of the DNC?

[MadBadger]

Poll question: Do you Approve of the Job that Howard Dean is doing as Chairman of the DNC?

Just want to see where everybody is, and I'm not going to split this into Clinton vs. Obama.

[ulysses]

1. not yes but hell yes.

:thumbsup:

[DrDan]

9. not "no" - but "HELL NO!!!"

[ulysses]

12. guess you told me.

What haven't you liked? Taking back Congress?

[DrDan]

16. I don't think he has pulled the party together

and if there is one thing we need in November, it is party unity. We have great potenial nominees. We have a GOP that is on the run. We have incumbants that are not seeking re-election. We have scandals. We have public opinion on our side.

We do not have a unified party. And it will cost us many votes.

[ulysses]

how is that his job?

The party's been fractured for a while now - I hadn't realized it was the duty of the DNC chairman to wave a magic wand and change that.

[DrDan]

22. it is the responsibility of the DNC to

- run the party's campaign
- select the Pres and VP nominees
- formulate and disseminate statements of the party's policies
- and "all other actions necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the provisions of this charter and the provisions of the Democratic Party"

To me - that means, among other things, make sure the party is organized and focused on the candidate. Is that not unifying the party?

[cali]

25. bwahahaha. You don't have a clue as to what his job is

and it'sn not what you listed. The chair is definitely not responsible for choosing candidates or formulating policy.

[DrDan]

28. that is right from the Charter of the Democratic party

Article 3 - the DNC

so the chairman of the DNC has nothing to do with those provisions?

[Hawkeye-X]

31. Does it fall under the responsibility of the DNC chairman?

Answer: no.

They have committees for that, to be specific - the Rules Credentials Committee. You want to blame somebody for sanctioning MI & FL - that's the committee to blame - and by the way Harold Ickes is part of that committee - a Hillary supporter.

[DrDan]

32. and your point is . . . .

I am not a Hillary supporter.

So the chairman holds no responsibility. (That's the kind of job I want) Is that what you are suggesting? The responsibilities listed in the charter are of no interest, or responsibility of the chairman?

[DrDan]

35. oh yeah - almost forgot - more from the charter

the Chairman is to carry out the programs and policies of the DNC.

Good heavens. Sounds like there might be a tad of responsibility there.

[Hawkeye-X]

37. And that's exactly what's he's doing, DrDan

Enforcing the rules set forth from the Rules Credentials Committee. And you argue that Dean isn't doing a good job? I'll take some of what you're smoking, friend.

[DrDan]

46. read this morning's paper - even he now believes Florida will be seated

that is doing his job

[DrDan]

47. I still say he should never, ever have let it get this far

and come on down to Fl - I'll share

[BlooInBloo]

36. 2nded

[Coexist]

2. where is the "Abso-f@#*ing-lutely" option?

[MadBadger]

3. Now now, would a Pew Poll have that as an option?

LOL

[jillan]

4. Ask me this again in August.

If he can keep this party together, help our party be happy about our nominee, then I will say yes.

It's too soon to tell. But I do wish he would be more decisive about Fla and MI, he has been very wishy-washy about the revotes...saying they should be punished, then saying they should revote, then saying they will be seated.

[Hawkeye-X]

6. Dean has said that they *WILL* seat MI and FL - just not right now, but after the nominee

is decisively eventual - probably most likely in June. FL and MI will be facing before the credentials committee at that time, and they will decide how much delegates will be allowed to seat. Whatever the committee decide, I will accept their decision as just and final.

However, I am of one opinion (and I'm definitely not alone on this) that both MI and FL people will have to oust their legislators for bullshitting their own people and blaming the DNC when it's clearly their own fault. I have followed madfloridian's journals and posts, and have backed her 1000%, because she has always told the truth and saw the mess for herself and in person. She has a legitimate gripe against the state legislature of Florida.

Hawkeye-X

[DrDan]

14. There are others of us from Florida who see things a bit differently

but that typically only gets an "ignore" - these days in DU any difference of opinion is not greeted with affection.

[Hawkeye-X]

21. I'll respect your opinion

even if I think you are dead wrong about it. madfloridian was right about one thing - the local MSM in Florida is taking up the state's case which they are beating DNC when they should be beating themselves silly. Why would you be backing Steve Geller when he has supported Bush not once but twice?

Hawkeye-X

[DrDan]

24. I did not say I supported him.

I think there is blame on both sides - the DNC and the state leaders. I have a real problem in the DNC allowing such a rule in the first place - one that violates the charter of the Democratic Party that clearly states one of the foundations is equal opportunities for voting - and a further statement that clearly indicates there will be no rules that violate the basic foundations. Our party is based on equality - but our leaders have created a climate of elitism (SDs and the disenfranchisment of MI and FL voters) that the GOP would be proud of.

This rule should never have been allowed.

I certainly do not appreciate my state leaders and their actions.

But - in either case - it is the voter that got screwed - and only because of some power-grabbing politicians.

[Hawkeye-X]

30. So, by your own very words..

You blame your state reps. Dean is certainly not to blame because he did not do anything but enforce the rules that was raised by the credentials committee.

Hawkeye-X

[ieoeja]

27. When you advocate for state run political parties...

... don't be surprised if people start ignoring you.

The government must never be allowed to run political parties. I find it amazing so many people at DU are actually advocating such a thing.

But ultimately Ross Perot was within his rights to establish the Reform Party with himself as the presidential candidate in 1992 without holding a primary, caucus or nominating convention.

I don't think the Reform Party holds a primary even today. I believe their convention is open to any delegate who shows up and pays dues. That's how they got Pat Buchannan shoved down their throat one year.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. Dean is doing a magnificent job - and I have backed him 100%

since 2004. He has made it clear to me that he is doing his job as a DNC chairman to the letter as he has promised to perform, and he has done just EXACTLY that.

For that, I am supporting his continued position as the chairman of DNC for as long as he wants the seat.

Hawkeye-X

[loyalsister]

7. And with what he is having to deal with and put up with!!

The man deserves an award. Dealing with MI and FL and candidates who are acting like children in an election year where we should be serious! It's a wonder he hasn't walked away.

[Swamp Rat]

8. Geaux Dean!!!

:kick:

[DrDan]

10. Neaux Dean

[Swamp Rat]

13. Eauxkay

:D

[DrDan]

17. Seaux I guess that wraps it up

[myrna minx]

11. A toast to Dr. Dean.

:toast:

[Kurovski]

15. Hear, here, or here, here, or maybe hear, hear!

:toast: I can never remember what the hell it is. :hi:

[myrna minx]

18. Maybe we can just say 'ear 'ear ala Eliza Doolittle.

:hi:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. "My name is James Carville and I don't approve of what that @#$%^& ###$%^ has been doing......"

PS "I also hate Bill Richardson, Mr Rogers and The Dalai Lama."

[billyoc]

20. Hell yes. The 50 state strategy is the best thing that I've ever seen the Dems do. nt

[DrDan]

26. ah yes - the 50-state strategy - 48 states and PR and Guam

just cast them idiots from FL and Mich aside. Who needs those states.

[billyoc]

29. MI and FL were victims of their own state legislators.

Thank you for reminding them of that, keep up the good work. :hi:

[DrDan]

33. whatever . . .

[Alexander]

39. Can't refute the facts? You wouldn't be the first one.

[DrDan]

45. oh good heavens . . . whatever

[ellisonz]

40. Damn you Iowa! Damn you New Hampshire!

My state should go first!

No, my state should go first!

;-)

[DrDan]

44. and, . . . uh . . . .who cares?

[Alexander]

23. Yep.

[NC_Nurse]

34. The poor man, he's like a mod on this forum!

Must be a tough position to be in. He's handling it extremely well.

[Ravy]

38. I voted "somewhat", although I like him a lot. I think

he should have pushed the rules committee to only strip half the delegates from MI and FL. That is the minimum the rules provided, and MI was definitely done by republicans. Florida had democratic help, but they only moved forward by a week, after the "starting four" were over.

I don't feel the "death" penalty was warrented in either case. Having the campaigns not campaign in the state and loss of half the delegates was enough.

[mdmc]

41. HOWARD!

Doin it!

[SoonerPride]

42. Totally fair to both sides. His 50 state strategy will pay huge dividends.

He's done a great job in my opinion

[On the Road]

43. It's Interesting to Compare the Level of Support on Each Side

to the level of rhetoric on each side.