Republicans Seek to Emulate Gov. Dean, 50-State Strategy
Posted by Matt Ortega on December 9, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Following the Democratic gains across the country at the local, state and federal levels, Republicans are left looking for inspiration in unfamiliar places -- Governor Howard Dean.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, in politics and elsewhere. And after two straight cycles of congressional pickups, outgoing DNC chair Howard Dean is no longer a boogeyman for his Republican counterparts -- he's a template for success.
This past weekend, a candidate for RNC Chair, Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzi, said the Grand Old Party would do well to follow the example set by the former Vermont Governor.
"There is a perception that we are a regional party and that we are a party from the South because that's the region we're consistently winning today," Anuzis told Politico. "I do think we need to have our version of the 50-state program that [Democratic National Committee Chair Howard] Dean had."
Comments (4) «
Earth to Rahn Emmanuel. You better not sidetrack what you clearly were taking for granted when you tried to clip Howard's wings.
I don't want to be the only one out there protecting what we started.
That is interesting. Just as Rahm who blasted Dean's plan for all 50 states is put into the position of gatekeeper, the 50 state staffers are laid off. Maybe to be rehired, maybe not. Glad the GOP appreciated Gov. Dean like we did.
The establishment's take on Howard Dean
Interesting points of view.
Hey, I know what. Remember when Liberal Oasis blogger Bill Scher declared Dean should be our SAKAL? Hey, now there's an idea.
Howard Dean for SAKAL
We could surely use him in that position.
I AGREE!!!!!
Why was Howard ever fired in the first place?
And why are we changing strategy? Just keep focusing on the Long Term!
I think you guys should read this:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/21/114031/417/427/687075
Do NOT focus mostly on re-electing Obama in 2012. Rel-electing our president is important. But the DNC has to stand for helping Democrats compete EVERYWHERE, not just in swing states.
If our main only goal is to re-elect Obama, then we'd have no reason to send money and staff to Utah. But we SHOULD send resources to Utah! we should work to elect important local and state level Democrats and help gradually build up our chances there for later years.
Howard Dean was right to invest in places that no one expect to win this cycle, we need to think 7 elections ahead. Keep the long view, don't be tempted to focus only on short term gains! That road leads to disaster, we tried it before and it doesn't work.
If we play more offense then it forces Republicans to play more defense. Compete everywhere, fearlessly! If we hadn't invested in North Carolina in 2006, we never would have won in 2008.
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