Time for Howard Dean to Step Down

Democrats should have seen this coming.

Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential crash-and-burn should have sent up the red flag that, despite his energy and grassroots appeal, he doesn’t know the first thing about running a successful Presidential campaign.

He raised tens of millions of dollars, had the momentum going into Iowa and then collapsed at the starting gate. He left Iowa already looking for a job, and unfortunately Democrats gave him one – Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Despite what had happened in his own race for President, Democrats decided that Dean was the one to ensure a Democrat would retake the White House in 2008.

Yes, Democrats should have seen this coming.

Now, in one of the most competitive primary contests in our country’s history, a contest that is generating record-breaking voter interest and turnout, we find ourselves focused not the on the candidates, not on their policies, not on their vision for the country, but on whether or not the ballots cast in the Florida Democratic Primary will count.

And as of right now, those ballots don’t count.

As of right now, 1.75 million Florida Democrats went to the polls for no reason.

It’s not the first time Florida voters have gone to the polls only to have their votes not counted. But if some recent polling is any indication, for some Floridians it might be their last time.

And if frustration keeps some Florida Democrats home in November, if this primary fiasco becomes the last straw, and the Democratic nominee does not carry Florida and is not taking the oath in January, 2009…

Howard Dean will top the list of those responsible.

When this primary nightmare was unfolding, when the debate about Florida and its delegates was being waged, Dean was asleep at the wheel.

You didn’t need a crystal ball to predict this possibility. You didn’t need a Ph.D. in history to understand the potential fallout if Florida voters, again, didn’t have their ballots counted.

So what now?

With a re-vote out of the picture, Florida’s primary votes remain in limbo during arguably the most important presidential election of our generation.

In a general election that is going to be highly competitive, Democrats cannot afford to lose the energy generated by the Obama-Clinton contest. Democrats cannot afford for Florida to become a solid red state because of the Democrats’ mishandling of their own primary.

Whether Dean’s handling of the Florida primary situation is a mistake that can be corrected in time to limit its effect on the general election is yet to be seen.

So what now?

Here’s one suggestion.

In too many cases, heads roll only after its too late. Change occurs after the fact, as a reaction, but not in time to make a difference, not in time to change the course of events.

Maybe this time, Democrats should insist on change before its too late.

Something dramatic.

Something that sends a clear message that national Democrats understand mistakes were made, big mistakes, and that Florida is essential to any coalition needed to elect the next Democratic President.

What would send that message?

What would be that dramatic?

Party leaders insisting that Howard Dean step down.

Posted by Bernie Campbell on Friday, March 28, 2008
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