DNC chair rumblings

I haven't written much about the campaigning for DNC chair, since (a) it's a bit too esoteric for most of my civilian readership and (b) it's kind of early days in terms of who is even running. But I guess I finally reached critical mass of interest, so here you go.

I'm a bit biased toward the "reform" candidates (as opposed to, say, the pro-life, conservative-think-tank-schilling "establishment" favorites), as are most of the blogs that I read, so here are some thoughts on the most promising/prominent of those:

1. Howard Dean -- if you've heard anything about this race, you probably know that he's in it. He certainly has the prominence to claim such a national office, but also, of course, a good dose of controversy. Pandagon has schitzophrenically argued both sides, so I'll give you his summations:
   • the upside boils down to his talent, outspokenness, fundraising capability, rural roots (he can relate to gun owners), and high profile
     
   • the downside is mainly the baggage that he carries from his Presidential run, which might make him an easy jumping-off point for continued right-wing characterization of Dems as extremists
   
   
2. Simon Rosenberg -- less known to most ordinary folk, but appears to be a strong candidate, as "everybody's second choice."
   • here's kos's summary of his strengths, which are that he "gets" the need for reform, for left-wing infrastructure, and for better claiming of the internet; downside? might he be too nice?

     Rosenberg isn't in this game to push the party one way or another ideologically. He's in it to rebuild and modernize. He's seen what the Right has done to control the levers of power, and he wants Democrats to level the playing field.

   • Schaller at Gadflyer endorses Rosenberg, as a strong strategist, not a prior elected figure (thus harder to pigeonhole), young, and someone who has been working on solutions for a while
     
   • interestingly, Rosenberg is one of the few people who have tried to generate a job description for the DNC chair, which is useful in evaluating his suitability...

So anyway, all this discussion has made me quite curious about this election as an augur of what the Democrats see as their future needs and strategies (and I will be interested to see what moves the winner makes, all part of my increasing awareness of the mechanics of politics). A first move of self-definition after this fall's disheartening defeat. Make it a good one, kids!