Dean and the Dems Future

More and more, Democrats that have one of the rare 447 votes to pick the new DNC Chair are siding with Howard Dean. I'm beginning to think this Party wants to get this snowplow stuck even deeper into the drift (a bad thing for those of you that have never done so). Some of you that know I used to work for Dean's campaign and have had many kind things to say about him might be surprised to hear that I think he's the absolutely most wrong person for the job. The others in the running have no national exposure or stature in the public mind - that's a strong argument for Dean, I'll grant his supporters. But they also have none of the baggage that Dean's dragging behind him like a 40-mule caravan. And what ever happened to building up Democracy for America into a king-maker group within the Party? They may still only be located in Vermont (a definite disadvantage). They may have lost the spotlight. But if Howie put half the time into promoting that group that's he put into contemplating his run for DNC Chair, DFA would be an increasingly useful faction. I've looked into Dean's opponents. Simon Rosenberg (young guy, smart, good organizer, lots of the Dean buzz has already reconstituted itself there, possibly Jewish), Donnie Fowler Jr. (another young smarty-pants rising star, endorsed by many of the outgoing folks, all the right background, stylish eyewear), Martin Frost (lost his TX seat in '04 due to Delay's re-districting, really middle-of-the-road, less telegenic than Bob Newhart). Of course Dean's more exposed and battle-tested. Sure he's fiesty. But the voters that the Dems need to attract I don't see coming to the Party when they see Dean as the public face of its policies. The Republicans decided to perpetually remind voters of '04 by making Ken "I'm Smarmy, Not Charmy" Mehlman their RNC Chair. Dems need to move on. Dean can help in a whole LOT of ways. Just not DNC Chair.

Bush had the Pistons over to the White House yesterday. I'm always surprised that it takes so long for Championship teams to get their contrived moment in the Presidential spotlight. Good to know that Ben Wallace thinks Bush is "not at all high and mighty."

Jury selection got rolling for Michael Jackson's trial in Santa Maria yesterday. The circus has a officially put up its tent in a new town.

The only thing you need to read about the Social Security debate today is the Essential Krug's standard Tuesday NYTimes column. It's sometimes easy to forget that he's an economist. Not today.

If you're not yet full to the gills with Iraqi post-election spin, Howard Kurtz gives you a fix in today's Post. With a bonus pic of the still thin and probably wired Rush Limbaugh thrown in for higher Googling pleasure.

The SupaDupa Bowl hype is humming along, albeit without any real stories worth mentioning. The various media markets are hoping for a big game - no news there. And a back-up player - although tremendously entertaining in an Icarus sort of fashion - is dominating the trash talking. Yawn. I'm waiting for a love-triangle double murder on a team bus headed to practice or similar greasiness. Cause ya know it's coming...