One More Reason Why Democrats Have Stalled

In a Roll Call article by Chris Cillizza, it has become even more apparent to me why the Democrats are on the losing end of things right now. With Howard Dean as the incoming chair of the DNC, Democratic consultants are worried about their place in the new DNC, assuming there is one.

"While a number of consultants contacted for this story professed no ill will toward Dean, they did acknowledge that some members of their profession have concerns about the incoming DNC chairman."

Of course, for a group who professes no ill will, none of them have the spine to put their name with their comments. Doing so may put them out of favor with Dean and Democratic leaders. I understand the need to keep your business running, but please-show a little courage and attach your name or shut your trap--discretion is often the better part of valor.

"While Dean has softened his rhetoric somewhat in the DNC race, some Democrats are waiting nervously to see whether his proposed reform includes a house-cleaning of consultants who have reaped the financial largess of a committee that raised and spent $400 million last cycle."

For a committee that spent $400 million last cycle, including a great deal to these consultants, it seems as though they didn't get any return on their investment--at all. While some of the blame can be placed on less that engaging candidates, the message created by these consultants cannot escape blame. A shake-up is what is needed. A little creativity can't hurt.

“The bigger concern is what he is actually going to mean to the party’s brand.” That sentiment was echoed by several other party consultants and strategists, none of whom would allow their name to be used for this story."

Again, no backbone. But it would seem to me that the party's brand is part of the problem. Dean is not nearly as liberal as his presidential race would indicate--just look at his record as governor. Fuhtermore, of all the candidates who had been mentioned, only Martin Frost plays in the same fundraising arena as Dean. If moving to Dean means moving to a new message, that must be a step in teh right direction because the current message of the Democratic party is not cutting it.

Getting a chairman who is not part of the Washington political elite is exactly what the DNC needs. If perchance, Dean shows an independent streak when it comes to consultants and their opinions; if Dean shows that he is willing to challenge the status quo and the groupthink mindset, then the Democrats can't do any better right now.



Some Fret Over New DNC Head