November 12, 2008 Howard Dean
Not only did Howard Dean pave the way for the astonishing campaign of Barack Obama with his 2004 Internet and "meet-up" presidential campaign, but he also paved the way for Obama's electoral landslide with his emphasis, as DNC Chair, on a 50-state strategy. Dean received a lot of resistance to the concept that Democrats need to compete in every state. In fact -- ironically -- Rahm Emanuel, Obama's newly minted Chief of Staff, and Chuck Schumer so tenaciously opposed Dean's 50-state approach in the 2006 election cycle that they were reportedly barely on speaking terms with Dean. (Emanuel and Schumer headed up the Democratic campaign fundraising and strategy for House and Senate elections, respectively, in 2006.) But Obama's realignment of the electoral map in 2008, along with many of the Congressional wins in 2006 and 2008, proved that Dean's strategy was right from the get-go. Obama's brilliant campaign team had a foundation to work with, and they rode it to victory. Dean is stepping down from the DNC post, as is the custom when a new president of one's party comes to power. It is, however, a bit of an irony given that Dean's foresight and pioneering Internet campaign in 2004 planted the seed for the Obama campaign. Expect to see Dean's formidable vision possibly show up in an Obama cabinet, perhaps as Secretary of Health and Human Services. There's a good doctor in the Democratic house. Why not use him to benefit the nation's health? A lot is owed to Howard Dean. Barack Obama probably wouldn't be president if Dean hadn't set the stage for an Internet campaign and brought the 50-state approach to the DNC. For that, Dean more than merits the BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award. Without his vision, democracy might not have been saved. * * * Nominated by the BuzzFlash staff.
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