Talk Elections

Howard Dean is stepping down as DNC Chairman, and the RNC will be electing a new one.  Any ideas on who the new chairmen should be?

Also, what's next for Dean?  Is he setting himself up for another presidential run?  I think he's more than atoned for his shortcomings in '04.  Or does he want to go back to practicing medicine?

Supposedly, he wants Obama to pick him for Secretary of HHS.  No idea what he'll do if that doesn't happen.  Certainly not another presidential run, no.

The sad part is that I don't even know what joker was running the RNC. Ed Gillespie at least was somewhat known during his tenure.

how bout...

RON PAUL FOR RNC


:P

BRING BACK THE GOLD STANDARD!!!!!$$$$$$

That would be a great pick, and certainly more plausible than the silly "Hillary for <insert any important political office not President or Senator from New York>" talk.

But yeah, I doubt he's running again.

The RNC should hire Dean, so Dean can put a 50 state strategy into place to help the Republicans become a national party once again.

RNC - Newt Gingrich.  He said he'll take it if they'll have him, and I think he'd be better at that than trying to get the party back on track by actually running for office again.  He may be a little outdated and removed from politics now though.  Michael Steele is the other name I've heard.

DNC - The only name I've seen so far is Claire McCaskill, who would gladly take it in order to get her crush Obama reelected, and because she probably couldn't get reelected herself. Can't stand the woman, personally, but she knows how to campaign.

At the moment I'd bet on Michael Steele for the Republicans and no clue for my party.

Washington Times reports that Steele is actively pursuing it.  Gingrich, not as much.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/11/gingrich-steele-duel-for-rnc-leadership/ (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/11/gingrich-steele-duel-for-rnc-leadership/)

For the Democrats, of course, my main pick is Mark Warner, but Chuck Schumer would also be an interesting choice.

No clue for the GOP, though; perhaps Mitt Romney?

Can a sitting Senator chair the DNC at the same time?

Chris Cilizza reports the following names for DNC:

Alice Germond (current Secretary of the DNC)
Donna Brazile
Tim Kaine
Bill Richardson
Kathleen Sebelius
Claire McCaskill

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/dean_to_step_down_as_dnc_chair.html (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/dean_to_step_down_as_dnc_chair.html)

I thought Tom Daschle would be in the mix, but apparently he's vying for Sec'y of HHS along with Dean.

Chris Dodd did from 1995-1997; Fred Harris did from 1969-1970, and Scoop Jackson did from 1960-1961, so I don't see why not.

Yeah, he would be good.  He has executive experience, seems competent (self-made millionaire), knows how to reach people the DNC will continue to target (like VA). 

You're making me wish he ran for President instead of Obama.

I already do.  He'd have been a better President, also.

Chip Saltsman for RNC Chair!!!

(or Steele would be great too)

What about Eric Cantor for the GOP?  He seems like a rising star in the Party.

Kaine would be a great choice for DNC, IMO. He seems to be a pretty competent leader, he's a strong Obama ally, and it'd keep him in the political arena after his term expires next year.

He's gonna be the new Whip.

Another good choice.

If the idea is to lose, then, yes, she would be great.

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Thompson emerges as potential leader as GOP moves rightward

http://www.dcexaminer.com/politics/Thompson_emerges_as_potential_leader_as_GOP_moves_rightward.html (http://www.dcexaminer.com/politics/Thompson_emerges_as_potential_leader_as_GOP_moves_rightward.html)

Oh God. The last thing we need is a chairmen who couldn't care less whether we win or not.

I like Fred Thompson and all, but I can't think of any reason why he should run the RNC.  Unless he puts out a weekly youtube address from behind his desk with a cigar dangling from his mouth, but that's about it.  Something tells me his wife is the (wo)man behind the curtain on this.

LOL! Fred! I'd love it.

Rumors are that Newt and Steele are both actively trying for the job. I wouldn't mind either of them...but I'd lean to Newt. That guy knows how to organize a party.

Just heard on Fox that Steele and Gingrich are rumored to actually be in talks to win Newt's endorsement for Steele, as opposed to running against each other.  Interesting.

might as well just go with Steele now that Obama is President-elect, although Gingrich is obviously cooler. It's not like the RNC Chairman will do much to bring the GOP back;  the Democrats screwing up will. And then the GOP screwing up will bring the Democrats back yet again. Such is life.

Sounds good to me.  Steele fits better than Gingrich, IMO.  If Obama is successful and looks poised to win a 2nd term, I'd like to see Gingrich run, if only to establish what conservatism has to offer.  Sort of like Goldwater in '64. 

While Fred would be hilarious and awesome, I'm all for Steele.

Really now? Are we now? Hmmm...

I guess I would go with Steele. We definately have to improve among Blacks and at the same time he would be able to rally the base.


Actually the RNC Chairmen could do a lot to set us on the path back to the Majority

Atlest the people on this website seem to think so: www.rebuildtheparty.com

Steele's performance among blacks was as dismal as any other Republican.