Josh
Marshall has endorsed Simon Rosenberg for DNC chair.
Josh makes a compelling case (please read it before continuing with my post),
I'm just not convinced that it is a compelling case for Rosenberg.
I absolutely agree with Josh's assessment of the two things that the
Democrats need to do: organize and unite. We need to build, from the ground up,
a new organizational structure to match the impressive Republican machine. Every
candidate for the position has this as a major talking point (so much so that
"50 state organization" has almost become a cliché). We also need to
present a united front and not give the Republicans any cover in advancing their
agenda. Bush and Co. would never have gotten as far as they had were it not for
the breathing room they needed.
The question for me is which of the two candidates, Dean or Rosenberg, has
the best chance to achieve both of these goals (I'm not going to deal with Frost
because I just don't think he has a chance of achieving either of Josh's goals.)
Organization
When it comes to organization, both Dean and Rosenberg have compelling
resumes. Rosenberg has a longer record at national organization (The New
Democrat Network is older than Democracy
For America). But DFA has been remarkably effective in its short time in existence,
turning the legions of his supporters into a grassroots army for new (small-n)
Democrats. Furthermore, Dean, was a proven organizer as head of the Democratic
Governors organization.
Finally, organization requires motivation and Dean is a proven motivator
while Rosenberg has virtually no record in that regard.
Unity
When it comes to unity, on the surface, at least, Dean is the more divisive
figure than Rosenberg. Rosenberg is well liked in some Dean circles if for no
other reason that he rejected the From/Reed line on Dean. Rosenberg recognized
the organizational power of Dean's campaign before most other establishment Dems
did. It is within the latter circle that Dean has the most ingrained opposition
and thus, arguably, has less chance of leading the establishment into the
required unity. But there is a significant ingrained opposition to Rosenberg as
well within the reform ranks because of his past history with the DLC. Even his
break with From and Reed over Dean does not alleviate that history for many
people.
Trust me on this, there are a lot of Deaners out there that are as
suspicious of Rosenberg as there are establishment Dems who are suspicious of
Dean.
In Dean's favor is his proven record of bringing people together who might
otherwise be divided. Consider his work getting a united endorsement from AFSCME
and SEIU, two service unions that have traditionally been at loggerheads. Dean,
if nothing else, is a great negotiator. During his time as governor of Vermont
there were a lot of people who disagreed with him, but nearly all of them
respected his leadership abilities because they felt like he actually listened
to what they had to say. Dean has a long and positive record when it comes to
uniting people who have real divisions. Has Rosenberg ever proven himself
similarly?
The public image of Dean as a divider is well known, but how much of that
image is media created? How much of it comes from the fact that those who
dislike him the most also hold considerable power in framing the public message?
How much of it comes from the very people who are most opposed to reforming the
party? It's all well and good to say that Dean has enemies. He most certainly
does, but he has the right enemies.
Dean gets this image of being a divisive figure partially because he is at
the head of an army of rabble-rousers. Yet Dean has a proven ability to keep
those rabble-rousers in check when it is needed. For example, he told his
supporters not to overwhelm DNC members in their support for his run. The
reports I hear are that they have done just that. Dean can control the torch and
pitchfork crowd. Can Rosenberg?
The party needs that army. Dean has the respect within that army to wield its
power effectively. Does Rosenberg? Most of the people in that army know nothing
about Rosenberg other than his work in the DLC. Within that group that is a serious
handicap.
I respect Josh's endorsement. I just disagree with the assumption that
Rosenberg will be more capable of bringing about the necessary unity that the
party needs. I don't think it will be easy for either man. But consider this:
Dean will only have to ease the minds of a few hundred party insiders. Rosenberg
will have to ease the minds of a million grassroots supporters.
I know who I think has the better chance in that fight.