Howard Dean’s rival with the most institutional support, former Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas), has dropped out, effectively wrapping up the race for the DNC chair.
Howard Dean emerged Tuesday as the almost assured new leader of the Democratic National Committee, as one of his main rivals quit the race and Democrats streamed to announce their support of a man whose presidential campaign collapsed one year ago.
Dr. Dean’s dominance was secured after Martin Frost, a former representative from Texas, whom many Democrats viewed as the institutional counterpart to Dr. Dean, dropped out after failing – in what had become an increasingly long-shot effort – to win support from national labor unions. The A.F.L.-C.I.O. announced instead that it would remain neutral, freeing its affiliate members to do what they wanted, which proved in many cases to be boarding the Dean train.
“It’s a fait accompli, it’s over: Dean’s going to be it,” said Gerald McEntee, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, who runs the umbrella political organization for all the unions in the A.F.L.-C.I.O.
Unlike the last time Dean held a seemingly insurmountable lead (i.e., the Iowa caucuses), we know who relevant voters are going to support. At this point, unless Dean does something really insane sometime over the next 10 days — like, say, become a Republican — the job is his.
How can I be so sure? Let’s see, Frost is gone and congratulated Dean by name in his withdrawal speech. This comes a day after Wellington Webb left the race and threw his support behind Dean. Also yesterday, David Leland, the former Ohio party chairman, withdrew and, you guessed it, endorsed Dean.
Dean’s remaining rivals include Tim Roemer, who’s center-right positions tend to generate “boos” among the party faithful; Simon Rosenberg, my personal favorite who is struggling to rally support; and Donnie Fowler, who is struggling to explain questions about possible mismanagement while he led the Kerry’s campaign’s efforts in Michigan.
Some saw the possibility of an AFL-CIO endorsement for a Dean rival as one last hurdle, but the union sidestepped the race and decided not to endorse anyone, which was welcome news for Dean.
Put a fork in this one; it’s done.