In the ongoing race for DNC chair, one of Howard Dean’s bigger stumbling blocks was his refusal to rule out running for president again in ’08. Nearly everyone involved in the process, including Dean supporters, seemed to agree that the next party chair, whomever he or she may be, must be prepared to skip the next presidential race.
For a while, Dean acted as if he’d like to play both sides of this fence.
Dean has run into opposition among some congressional leaders who are demanding that he foreswear running again in 2008. Dean has been coy in his response to those lawmakers who want an assurance that he won’t mount another bid, lawmakers say.
Doubts about Dean’s own ambitions appear to be hurting him in the House. “It’s just an obvious conflict of interest,” said Rep. Al Wynn (D-Md.).
Dean may still have other problems in securing the DNC post, but the ’08 problem seems to have been taken care of.
With Democrats preparing to select a new national chairman, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said yesterday he would not seek the presidency again in 2008 if he got the top party job.
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Following a speech at George Washington University, the former governor said that if he became party chairman, it would preclude another presidential try, at least in 2008.
I’m not sure if Dean meant it as an ultimatum — make me chairman or I’ll run for president again and then you’ll be sorry! — or as a way to alleviate fears about a conflict of interest, but the pledge will probably help his chances. Now, if only everyone in the establishment didn’t hate him like poison…