BYAH! Dean to step down as DNC Chairman

From Justin Zipser

Howard Dean, who rose to fame during his run for President in 2004, will not seek reelection for his role as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee after serving just one four-year term, the Washington Post reports.

With the office of the chairman being vacant when Dean leaves early next year, the short list of those in line to succeed him is already shaping up: Claire McCaskill (Junior Senator from Missouri), Tim Kaine (Governor of Virginia), Kathleen Sebelius (Governor of Kansas), Bill Richardson (Governor of New Mexico), Donna Brazille (whom you may remember from CNN's election coverage over the months), and Alice Germond (current Secretary of the DNC). Dean's departure will leave the door open for an Obama-loyalist, adding to the credibility of these names being involved.

Dean's time as Chairman was mostly seen as a mixed bag. While he sometimes clashed heads with other Democratic figureheads, he is credited by some as being the reason for the Democrats' reemergence as a political party because of his work as Chairman (led by his "50-state strategy," which involved putting party offices, staff, and/or organizations in all fifty states of the U.S.).

Most of us will primarily remember Dean for his infamous "Scream" back in 2004 after finishing third in the Iowa Caucuses, but his time as DNC Chairman should not be overlooked, especially as he leaves the position with his party in a resurgence.