Ickes endorses Dean -- seriously (not a joke)

This one blew me away. Ex-Clinton aide Ickes has endorsed Dean for DNC. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=4&u=/ap/20050128/ap_on_re_us/democrats_chair

<snip>
Harold Ickes, a leading Democratic activist and former aide to President Clinton (news - web sites), said Friday he is backing Howard Dean (news - web sites) to be chairman of the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) — giving a powerful boost to the front-runner.

"I think all the candidates who are running have strong attributes, but Dean has more of the attributes than the others," said Ickes, who considered running for chairman himself before dropping out in early January. "Many people say Howard Dean is a northeastern liberal, he is progressive, but his tenure as governor of Vermont was that of a real moderate."
<snip>

Thank you, Harold.

I wonder what brought this on?

:thumbsup:

That is a big deal.

First real indication that the establishment Dems may give in to Dean.

Good for him, though.

He wouldn't do it without the Clintons approval.

I sure didn't see that one coming.

Weird. Can't quite figure out what these D.C. insider consultants are doing.

I think they are seeing the writing on the wall and pretending to lead the parade.

They've got their own 527 interests at heart. No matter what happens to Dean, they win. They're either in with the DNC chair or can tap into the grassroots backlash if Dean loses.

A little good news!!

together...could this have something to do with this...I hate when they say he is not a liberal but a real moderate...

in that conversation!

...people don't even really understand the terms, or, as I view it, the whole right-left dichotomy thing is really so last century.

I'm counting on him to make some big changes. :)

it will be interesting to see how things go.

i wonder when the first debate will be between Dean and Ken Mehlman.

what will be interesting is that the right wing will use Dean signing the civil unions bill to rile up the religious conservatives, but the Republican Chair himself is gay.

we just need to get it out there that Mehlman is gay.

...

Mehlman: "As Governor, Howard Dean signed a bill letting gays 'settle down', he's out of step with mainstream America."

Me: "Ken, I just want you and others like you to have the same opportunities for lasting love and committment that heterosexuals are offered, because I know family is important to everyone. Isn't having a family important to you?"

i hope the first debate is very soon.

First time I heard that about Mehlman. So its confirmed not just a rumor?

www.americablog.org and bradblog.org (or com, I can't remember.) www.rawstory.com and www.bluelemur.com Good sites all.

Perfect.

Hi, J17 :hi: how are ya?

Watch your back, Howard. I could see the establishment setting him up with some kind of scandal to kill his 08 hopes and pave the way for another DLC type.

...if he gets chair, that's where his focus will be, NOT on 08 presidential election cycle.

wow.