Iowa DNC Members Endorse Dean, Finally!   Nothing Like Waiting Until It's a Fait Accompli
IDP Website

[I'll bet Gordon Fischer is rolling over on the putting green in his law office.]

(DES MOINES)—Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party announced [Wednesday] evening that eight voting members of the Democratic National Committee from Iowa have endorsed former Vermont Governor Howard Dean for DNC Chair.

“I am pleased that DNC members from Iowa are in agreement about the future leadership of our national party,” said Lieutenant Governor Pederson. “Governor Dean has proven his leadership by building a broad base of support within the party, particularly from other Heartland states. [Yes, Sally, here in Iowa, too.  It's just not as evident because of the way the IDP put so much effort into trying to suppress it.]  He has demonstrated that he can and will lead our party in new and innovative ways.”

The members of Iowa’s Delegation endorsing Governor Dean are:

Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson, Iowa Democratic Party Chair
Rob Tully, Iowa Democratic Party First Vice-Chair
Governor Tom Vilsack
State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald
Attorney General Tom Miller
Sandy Opstvedt, National Committeewoman
Ken Rains, National Committeeman
Grant Woodard, College Democrats of America

Commentary:  Well, I must say, I was wondering if Iowa was going to come through for Dean or if they were going to embarrass us by continuing Gordon Fischer's policy of telling DFA that Dean was unwelcome in Iowa and that post-caucus, Dean would hurt our candidates if he came here to stump for them - this in spite of the fact that several of DFIA's endorsed candidates made requests for Gov. Dean to come back to Iowa to help them.  No, the IDP was satisfied to work with a base that was burnt out from a year of pre-caucus activity - tired, burnt out, discouraged.  We on the ground all thought that a visit from Dean would energize us again.  But Fischer and the IDP blocked it at every turn.

Well, I sincerely hope that if Dean becomes chair of the DNC, Iowa and the IDP will be more hospitable to him.  [The money Dean has promised the state parties to pay the salaries of the upper echelon certainly can't hurt.]

P.S.  Soooooooo glad we got rid of ol' Gordo and his damaging power struggles and temper tantrums.  Hope Sally is more level headed.
Also in Dean news:

*On Thursday, the National Stonewall Democrats announced their support of Dean for DNC chair.  The membership of the GLBT organization voted overwhelmingly (90.42%) in Dean's favor.

*As of Thursday, Dean had public commitments from 213 members of the DNC.  Dean needs a simple majority (224) to win the election.

*The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest teachers organization, has endorsed Dean, too.

*Dean also picked up the endorsement of the Conference of Southern Black Democrats this week.
6:30pm Update

*According to The Associated Press, "Activist Simon Rosenberg abandoned his bid for Democratic National Committee chairman on Friday and backed front-runner Howard Dean, moving the former presidential candidate closer to capturing the party title."

*One week before the Democratic National Committee votes on a new leader, Dean now has more than 250 public pledges from DNC supporters, according to the political newsletter Hotline.