[Batrachian]

I disagree with Rush on this. Howard Dean doesn't automatically gain control of the DNC if he becomes the nominee. The DNC membership votes for the chairman, and they're not ready to buck Bill Clinton. Not by a long shot. Dean is only a threat to the Clintons if he has a real shot at being president, and most people would argue that he doesn't.

[Howlin]

Can you name a nominee that didn't name his own finance chairman?

[bayourod]

"Howard Dean doesn't automatically gain control of the DNC if he becomes the nominee. The DNC membership votes for the chairman, "

I'm no authority on the rules of the Dem state parties for electing DNC members, but in the Republican parties I'm familiar with, the process usually results in the committeemen being elected in roughly the corresponding proportion to the candidates winning the precinct/district/state.

Thus after the nominating process, Dean should have a majority of the DNC members.

[Senormechanico]

"The DNC membership votes for the chairman, and they're not ready to buck Bill Clinton."

Probably because they know what REALLY happened to Vince Foster.

SM

[varon]

Dean is only a threat to the Clintons if he has a real shot at being president, and most people would argue that he doesn't.

Don't underestimate Dean. The man has fire in his belly and his support is swelling.

If Dean gets the Dem nomination (it's almost a given) then the contest will be between personalities and not issues. The last time around, both candidates were "flat", lacking sparkle, vigor or charisma. It was a contest between "dead" and "deader". One couldn't spit over his lip and the other couldn't find his. So, they ran on issues.