Dean Wins Backing of State Dem Chairs
Detroit Free Press
Howard Dean won the backing of state Democratic Party leaders Monday, putting him in a strong position to win the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee.
“If
all of our members vote for him, that will be half of what he needs to
win the chairman's job,” said Mark Brewer, chairman of the Association
of State Democratic Chairs.
The
party's presidential front-runner in 2003 won 56 votes from the state
chairs and Democratic activist Donnie Fowler — who led Sen. John
Kerry's successful Michigan caucus campaign — won 21 during a national
conference call. The state chairs ignored a recommendation made Sunday
by the executive committee to back Fowler. Other candidates' support
Monday was in single digits.
“We're
asking all of our state chairs and vice chairs to follow our
endorsements,” Brewer said, noting that would bring 112 votes. “And we
think they will.”
…Dean
already had about 50 endorsements of DNC members, including five
chairs. He needs a majority of the 447 members to win the post. The
election is scheduled Feb. 12.
Some in
the party have worried aloud about Dean, saying he may be too outspoken
and too blunt on occasion to provide effective leadership. But as
Dean's campaign gained ground, Democratic resistance has seemed to
fade….
(Click here to read the complete article.)
And this is just in . . .
Webb Drops Out of Race for DNC Chairmanship
DenverPost.com
Former Denver Mayor Backs Dean
Wellington
Webb dropped out of the race to chair the Democratic National Committee
today and endorsed former Vermont governor Howard Dean for the job.
Webb, a
former three-term Denver mayor, pulled out of contention immediately
after an influential group of state Democratic Party chairpeople
overwhelming supported Dean, a 2004 presidential candidate who promises
to rally the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.”
Also today, Colorado Democratic Chairman Chris Gates backed Dean after stumping for Webb for more than a month.
(Click here to read the complete article.)
Blog For Iowa 