Stories like these below the cut make me frustrated with the Democratic party, since they are so committed to keeping the Iowa caucuses as a way of keeping the establishment candidates in the race, and keeping the outsiders (like Dean) out. The success of the Dean campaign, built upon the grassroots, threatened people like Vilsack and others. The choice of Vilsack tells me that the Democratic Party is not committed to structural reform, and that they're only looking to repackage the same old thing.
They are shooting themselves in the foot by choosing leaders like Vilsack. They could've gone with Simon Rosenberg, or Howard Dean, but from the tone of the article, it sounds like they're going with Vilsack. I am thoroughly disgusted that the Democratic Party is not capitalizing upon the chance to do some real structural reform before it's too late, and that they are only intent on feathering their nests.
Harkin predicts Vilsack will be DNC chairman
By Todd Dorman
DES MOINES â" U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin predicted Wednesday that Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will be picked to lead the Democratic National Committee, citing what he contends is growing support for Vilsack among party leaders.
Harkin, D-Iowa, said Vilsack has the support of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the party's 2004 presidential nominee. Earlier this week Vilsack received strong backing from newly elected Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada.
"He's getting more and more support as the days go by," Harkin told Iowa reporters on a conference call. "And I think he's going to be our next Democratic national chair."
Vilsack is on a lengthy list of prominent Democrats maneuvering to win the post, including former Vermont governor and presidential hopeful Howard Dean, former labor secretary Alexis Herman, former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.
So far, Vilsack has declined to comment about his place in the race.
Party leaders will pick a leader in February to succeed outgoing DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe.
http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1039689&l=...