This report on the Atlanta meeting is from Tom Baxter who writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "We need to talk to white voters in the South in their own language, but we don't need to change our values," Dean answered. Dean hasn't formally declared his candidacy but asked DNC members for their votes Saturday, and said he'll announce in the coming week." If you've ten minutes and 50 seconds to spare, you can take a look at Tim Roemer, on this video clip from "This Week with George Stephanopoulos", via the Crooks and Liars site (scroll down). It's a long ten minutes and 50 seconds. George uses the blog community to throw his past votes against the Clinton economic plan in 1993, and for the Bush economic plan in 2001, back in his face. By way of a defense, Roemer drops the name of Nancy Pelosi and takes a slap at "those bloggers," for "misinterpreting votes." That is sure to make him popular around here. Washington Monthly has this article, "Fire the Consultants," that asks "Why do Democrats promote campaign advisors who lose races?" The partial answer, if you spent all your time watching Roemer: they tell "... them what they so desperately want to hear: Their policies are sound, Americans really agree with them more than with Republicans, and if they just repeat their mantras loud enough, voters will eventually embrace the party." Some other explanations: "The party has no truly brilliant strategists in positions of power. The electoral system takes care of dead weight when it comes to politicians. The proof is in the political wreckage evident after yet another year of Democratic defeats at the polls. The consultants, however, live on. After pocketing a $5-million paycheck following the election, Shrum is back from a vacation in Tuscany and now advising Sen. Jon Corzine's (D-N.J.) gubernatorial race. Mellman, whose advice helped sink Democrats for two consecutive campaign cycles, continues to line up clients. As for Hansen, his connection to Daschle may not help him now that the South Dakotan has vacated the Democratic leader's office. But don't cry for Joe Hansen—he's the consultant for incoming Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid." Update: If you're curious about the process of how the DNC is organized and how the Chair is chosen, Simon Rosenburg's site will eagerly assist you. The AP wire has "Mass. Dem opposes anti-abortion chairman" which shows up on the P-I site and everywhere else. Oh yeah, they are talking about Roemer, if you are wondering. More on the process here, from Swing State Project. What kind of information on the process, you ask? "The election will be open to the public and votes shall not be taken by secret ballot Charter, Article 9, Sect.12. Roberts Rules of Order is used Charter, Article 9, Sect. 14. Terry McAliffe will preside over the election Charter, Article 5, Sect. 3. Of the five Vice-Chairs, three shall be of the opposite sex of the Chair Charter, Article 3, Sect 1(e). A roll call may be requested by 25% of the voting members present Bylaws, Article II, Sect B, (d)(ii)." That kind of thing, as well as other links and facts.
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