--> In acknowledging Kaine's strengths, Obama paid tribute to the leadership of outgoing party chairman Howard Dean, whose 50-state strategy was instrumental in creating a Democratic majority in Congress, and which paved the way for Obama's large margin of victory in November. Oddly, Dean was not present at the ceremony, opting instead to visit American Samoa (obviously in an attempt to woo that crucial voting bloc).
For all that Obama has chosen to pursue and hire experienced Democratic leaders, the former Vermont governor has gone noticably snubbed. Passed over for a Cabinet post (Health and Human Services), an advisory position, or a party leadership position, Dean seems to have been left out in the cold (no pun intended on the God-forsaken winter wasteland that he represented for 12 years). Of course, this after he was the favorite for the Democratic Party presidential nomination for several months leading up to the 2004 race, but missed out on both the White House and a running mate slot. What could he have possibly done wrong?
Is he still being punished for that yell? Did one moment of excitement and enthusiasm, in an election year of Democratic candidates that made Dick Cheney look like James Brown, ruin Dean's political future? I certainly hope not. More likely, Dean simply didn't fit into Obama's plans, and gets some much deserved vacation time for a few years.
--> Or Dean could choose to take a more active route as a former DNC Chairman. Terry McAuliffe certainly isn't taking things lying down. After months of parading around cable news networks declaring Hillary Clinton's inevitable victory (even in the hours before she conceded), McAuliffe has chosen to apply his insurmountable confidence to his own political aspirations, announcing his intention to succeed Tim Kaine and become the next Governor of Virginia.
McAuliffe, deservingly known as a political figure who is quick to bluster and spout overconfidence, kicked off his campaign on Thursday, then declared victory this morning while urging his opponents to concede. McAuliffe's aides announced a planned swearing-in ceremony at the state capitol tomorrow afternoon, and bragged about McAuliffe's amazing (but impending) gubernatorial record of job creation, healthcare reform, and his incredible negotiation that led to a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. McAuliffe also guaranteed that he would be the starting shortstop for the Washington Nationals by 2014.
I truly do enjoy how circular all these paths are. Dean goes from governor of Vermont to presidential candidate to DNC chairman to unemployed; Kaine goes from governor of Virginia to DNC chairman; McAuliffe goes from DNC chairman to staffer for a presidential candidate to (potentially) governor of Virginia. I think I can discern their next moves: Dean needs to move to Virginia and then work for a presidential candidate; McAuliffe needs to run for President and then become a doctor; I think Kaine should try skiing...nah, this is too confusing.
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