Is Howard Dean Getting Screwed and Why?

By Alexander Zaitchik, AlterNet. Posted February 9, 2009.

The 50-state strategy of party building is embodied by Democracy for America. Recently, the organization publicly urged the DNC not to turn its back on Howard Dean's legacy. "We have both kept an eye on the other," says Jim Dean, describing the relationship between DFA and the DNC.

Democracy for America has grown to become a force to contend with on the national scene. During the last four years, the organization has grown its membership from 350,000 to more than 1 million. Staff includes many of those involved in the 2004 campaign, while other DFA alumni have gone on to work at senior positions for the Democratic Party and on major campaigns. Notably, DFA endorsed the former Illinois state senator Obama for his U.S. Senate race in 2004. While DFA does not have any formal ties with the DNC, it does maintain relationships with the state parties.

"These relationships are good because we have been training activists and first-time candidates all over the country for nearly four years, not to mention local candidate support and the work of our groups," says Jim Dean. "Many state parties enthusiastically welcome the support that an organization like DFA can provide. Some of our best work has been in states not traditionally seen as strong Democratic strongholds."

The relationship is not always without strain, however.

"There are sometimes tensions in more established Democratic states, some of whose members might feel threatened by our brand of activism and empowerment. The same could be said about our relationships with local parties: mostly good and some work-in-progress," says Jim Dean.

As for Howard Dean's dark horse chances for replacing Daschle in Obama's cabinet, Jim Dean still thinks his brother would make a good choice.

"I do think Howard is the right man for the job. He greatly expanded health coverage and worked state and federal programs to do so. He got a lot done with very little to work with. He is very familiar with administering the government's role in health care. As a former physician, he is also very familiar with issues surrounding the relationship between patients, providers and health plans."

Even without a formal role in the administration, Howard Dean will remain involved in national debates on everything from Democratic Party building to health care. As we learned during the early stages of the 2004 campaign, he is capable of inspiring people. And as we learned in Iowa, his voice tends to carry.

See more stories tagged with: howard dean, dnc, 50 state strategy, hhs

Alexander Zaitchik is a freelance journalist.

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