This map http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/2004_County_Results_Final.html illustrates quite clearly the problems the Democratic Party faces in national elections. Using the now standard red/blue descriptions of the parties, the 2000 and 2004 maps show a sea of red with pockets of blue. It would seem to the most inexperienced political observer that in order for the Democrats to stem the bleeding of their national influence, substantial in roads have to be made with the middle of the road swing voters in some important red states.
The man chosen to lead the Democrats in this effort is former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Dean as you know made a name for himself in the primaries with a decent run which featured an enormous grass roots internet led fund raising campaign, a left of center anti Iraqi war position ( not quite as left as Dennis Kucinich) and a screaming oratorical melt down which pretty much ended his chances and opened the door wide for John Kerry.
Dean has just completed his first hundred days in the position and so far his performance has been underwhelming. First and foremost has been the disappointing results in what must be considered the primary role of any party chairman, fund raising. To date it has been reported that the national Republicans have doubled what the Dean led DNC has been able to produce. Certainly former chairman Terry McAuliffe was a tough act to follow in this aspect of the job but wasn't Dean supposed to bring new age methods of reaching out to the base as well as younger voters in raising money?
Dean has so far been a disaster in the outreach department. This past month he addressed the Massachusetts Democratic convention and next month he is going to address the progressive "Take back America event" which includes a list of other prominent left of center speakers. Is it likely that Dean is going to pick up any "uncommitted" voters in either of these two venues? Even more puzzling is Dean's endorsement of Vermont Congressman Bernard Sanders for a senate run to replace James Jeffords. Bernie is famous for two things, he is an independent (socialist) and he often berates Alan Greenspan when he appears before the house committee in Humphrey Hawkins testimony. Hell, you have to love Bernie just for that alone but again do you think Bernie is going to be drawing in any centrists to the Democrats?
Dean has also managed to make headlines recently with some rather incendiary comments regarding Texas Congressman Tom Delay. In widely reported quotes Dean says "Delay should do his jail time back in Texas". This raised some eyebrows when you consider that Delay has so far not been charged with anything. Dean had previously been quoted as saying that even "Osama Bin laden was innocent until proven guilty".
The bulk of the criticism of Delay includes travel junkets and payroll abuse which seem to be non partisan violations. Bernie Sanders for instance had over one hundred thousand dollars in payroll going to family members and if every member of congress were charged with hanging out with lobbyists and doing their bidding then you might as well issue a blanket indictment. Whether or not Delay is charged or guilty of anything is not the point. Why is it Howard Dean's battle to fight? If Delay is brought down it will be without any help from Dean. If he survives, Dean's comments will be made to look all the more foolish.
Dean might do well to take a page out of the book of his counter part Ken Mehlman. In this report from the Washington Times, Mehlman is in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, a blue state http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050518-101030-3854r.htm raising money for a former Democrat now Republican, Otto Banks. Banks is an African American and the biggest vote getter on the Harrisburg city council. He is running for re-election and if elected would be the first Republican on the council in 20 years. If Dean continues reaching out to the Democrat's committed base and Mehlman is making Republican converts, then the 2006 and 2008 elections could prove that the selection of Howard Dean was an awful mistake.
