So Simon is announcing his candidacy for DNC chair tomorrow and, though I hate to disagree with Kos in my debut, I just think Simon is a bad choice for chair.
He's somebody who hasn't gotten his hands dirty in years (if ever). His reputation as a manager is spotty at best (approx 20 resignations at NDN in the last 2 1/2 years). He's a status quo guy who spent the last 10+ years working to promote centrist New Democrats but now says he's a reformer. And he's a famous self-promoter.
Most concerning, though, is that Simon is part of the "we don't need the south" set, as was evident in his NPR interview 2 days after the election:
"In the '80s and '90s, the Holy Grail was for Democrats to break through in the South. Well, certainly you can see a map now where we can win presidential elections without winning any Southern states. We almost did it this time. We came up one state short. Obviously, it would be better for us to be competitive in all regions of the country, but it's not necessary." (Morning Edition, 11/4)
Yes, Virginia, there is a Montana. And the DNC chair needs to to want to win everywhere. Simon's not that guy.