I never get tired of these articles. Here's
Eric Pfeiffer, formerly of The Hotline (which Kos often quotes on the front page), now of National Review, on why Republicans are underestimating Howard Dean at their peril.
Conservatives should not underestimate Howard Dean.
Howard Dean's ascension to head of the Democratic National Committee has been surrounded by much talk and a little celebration. For many conservatives, Dean's political resurrection is viewed as the gift that keeps on giving. One of the most liberal members of last year's Democratic presidential field is now heading a party that itself acknowledges its electoral weakness on social and national security issues. Dean's leadership will now have a guiding influence on the success or failure of the Democratic party.
More below ...
For now, Dean is showing deference to his party's elected leadership. Congressional Minority leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi insist that Dean reflect policy, not dictate it. Still, he is more interesting than his Democratic counterparts. With no Democrats heading a branch of government, Dean is likely to be the first choice when the media comes calling for an interview.
Until his Iowa caucus meltdown, Dean had a decade of electoral victories. He was reelected governor a number of times, though with declining returns. As previously noted, he had some general level of success during his tenure. To be successful as DNC Chair, Dean will have to resonate with the liberal base while maintaining the large donor apparatus Terry McAuliffe made his calling card. Most importantly, Democrats will have to win elections.
To his credit, Dean seems to understand how the Republican party has been successful in its voter outreach efforts. For decades, liberals have taken pride in their ability to canvas large swaths of the country with paid campaign workers. For at least a decade now, that strategy has not been working. By targeting party loyalists and ideological allies, conservatives have generated a higher return on their outreach investments. If Dean can successfully motivate the liberal grassroots he will allow aspiring party moderates like New York Senator Hillary Clinton greater leverage to reach out to independent voters.
Howard Dean is intelligent enough to have learned from the many blunders of his presidential campaign's demise. No longer in the heated moment of a passionate campaign, he is far less likely to suffer an emotional outburst. Because of his experiences with the press, Dean may even be savvy enough to view the mainstream media with caution. For the next several months, Dean will be the beneficiary of low expectations. He is taking over a party that has lost three consecutive elections. Many are watching to see when and if Dean has his next meltdown. By simply maintaining a degree of balanced temperament, the press is likely to build his reputation back up.
When I was covering the Democratic National Convention in Boston this summer, I had the chance to see Dean speak. The event was a lavish party thrown for members of the California delegation. Nancy Pelosi was first to speak. After Pelosi encouraged her constituents to party and enjoy the moment, Dean took the stage on a more forceful note. He began reading a laundry list of grievances against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Upon reaching the end of the list, Dean said something surprising. Instead of delivering a sermon on liberal virtues, Dean uttered the following statement, "We Democrats need to be a lot more like Tom DeLay." Needless to say, the crowd did not respond enthusiastically to Dean's battle cry. But it's a strategy that if sincerely practiced should put dismissive Dean critics on notice.
Is the conventional wisdom changing? I certainly think the early gambits to smear Chairman Dean have failed. The "he hates Republicans!" guff hasn't gone anywhere - do people expect the Democratic boss to love Republicans? And apparently, the NYGOP chairman's statement linking Dean (and Boxer) to terrorism has blown up in his face.
