The new watchword of the Democratic National Committee under Gov. Tim Kaine: problem-solving. The bugbear: ideology.
At a ceremonial press conference today in Washington, Obama called Kaine a "pragmatic progressive," who would break "free of the old orthodoxies and [reach] across party lines."
"He understands that while politics is tough, we need to work together to solve our problems," Obama said.
Kaine promised to "carry the proud banner of the Democratic Party." We're not the idealogues the obstructionist, the gridlock folks, we're the problem solvers."
Conspicuously absent from the transition event was the current chairman of the DNC, former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont.
Obama said of Dean: "Having steered the Democratic Party through two successful elections, Howard deserves enormous credit for ushering in a new era." He called Dean "an oustanding chair."
Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Obama's handpicked successor, went even further: "I've got huge shoes to fill."
Dean was not there to enjoy all the dolceness.
Officially, Dean was travelling.
Having promised to go anywhere and do anything asked of him by the President-elect, he probably would have returned to Washington had he been asked. But maybe there was a scheduling issue: the transition team contacted the DNC on Wednesday to set up today's event, a DNC spokesperson said.
Neither advisers to Dean or transition officials will say whether Dean's presence -- or absence -- was the subject of an internal debate. Transition spokespeople did not return e-mails seeking comment. DNC officials referred questions about Dean to the transition office.
There are a few Obama advisers with the juice to keep Dean away; one of them is chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, a long-time Dean critic. A transition source said that Emanuel played no role in this.
Was this a snub?
One the one hand, Obama aides have openly praised Dean's tenure, his campaign was full of Dean alums; in sotto voce, Obama aides have hinted that the DNC needs an overhaul. During the election, Obama's team sent Dean on a productive but second-tier assignment -- a voter turnout and registration bus tour.
One television commentator said that the selection of Kaine and the contrast with Dean was political symbology in the extreme; Kaine is a Christian; Dean is seen as a cultural liberal; Obama wants to "reach out" to faith voters and all of that. True, Obama can be clunky with his metaphorical gestures, but it would make no sense for Obama to go out of way to laud Dean's tenure if he intended to give the brush-off.
It's hard to believe that Obama's political advisers would sanction a public reproach. Such juvenality would make some of Dean's critics all tingly inside, but it would anger a cross-section of Obama supporters who hold Dean in high regard, including a tranche of national committee members and many state chairs. And whether Dean deserves the credit or not, the press credits his failed 2003 presidential bid for laying the ground work for Obama's victory.
One member of the DNC: "He has not been treated well."
Obama plans to install Jennifer O'Malley Dillon as executive director. O'Malley-Dillon served as battleground states director for the Obama campaign.
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