DNC Chooses Pro-Choice Howard Dean as Chair
On Saturday, February 12, the DNC officially elected Howard Dean their new chair. Dean had been opposed by anti-choice Democrat, Tim Roemer. However, citing NARAL Pro-Choice America's active opposition to his candidacy, Roemer dropped out of the race before votes were cast, leaving Dean, the sole candidate, an assured victory. Read more about Roemer's decision to drop out of the race here
Here in Missouri, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri also campaigned for a pro-choice chair of the DNC. NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri sent out over 2000 e-mails to pro-choice activists across the state urging them to call or write Missouri's delegates to ask them to cast their vote for a pro-choice chair. The NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri website also featured the race and the importance of having pro-choice leadership in the Democratic party.
Roemer ends bid to lead DNC
Decision means Dean uncontested.
NATION/WORLD
By JAMES WENSITS
Tribune Political Writer
Tim Roemer made the inevitable official Monday, announcing his withdrawal from the race to be chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "While I end my candidacy for chair of the Democratic National Committee today, I will continue to fight for my party's heart and soul because I am a Democrat first, last and always," Roemer said. The decision removes the last shred of suspense from Saturday's scheduled vote by DNC delegates when they meet in Washington, D.C., to pick a new chairman for their party. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is now uncontested in his bid for the chairmanship.
Roemer, who announced his intentions several weeks ago, had stayed in the race over the weekend while two rivals, activists Simon Rosenberg and Donnie Fowler, dropped out. By Monday, the former congressman from South Bend had counted the votes and knew it was time to call an end to his campaign. Roemer said he assessed the situation over the weekend and determined that "there was no way for us to win." "I thought we had a fighting chance in this all along," said Roemer, who described himself as the "most conservative" among his Democratic rivals.
Although Dean, who was a candidate for president last year, had the higher name recognition, it apparently was Roemer's anti-abortion position that worked against him, even though he promised repeatedly that he would not try to impose his views on the party as a whole. Roemer said NARAL Pro-Choice America, an organization dedicated to preserving women's right to choose, "phone-banked against me," calling delegates and urging them not to vote for him because of his stand on abortion. Roemer said NARAL successfully turned the abortion issue into "a radioactive anvil around my neck." On its Web site, the organization prominently displays this message: "Don't stand for an anti-choice chair. Urge the DNC to select a pro-choice chair."
Roemer said he entered the race for what he considered to be "vitally important reasons." "First and foremost, Americans don't trust Democrats to keep them safe and secure," Roemer said. "I am also deeply concerned that our proud history as the party of inclusion is in jeopardy. We are losing ground with some of our core constituencies on values and faith issues. "If we do not have a serious conversation within our party about how to reach out to those who are leaving us, we will be doomed to minority party status."
Roemer said he has received positive feedback from Democrats who said they favored more tolerance and believe there is a need to discuss abortion in different ways. "I hope that Governor Dean succeeds," Roemer said. "I wish him well." But Roemer said he believes that Dean faces "significant challenges" as he tries to unite and rebuild the Democratic Party, particularly in the South.
"The Democratic Party has largely abandoned the South," said Roemer, noting that Democrats have not competed effectively in that region for the past two election cycles. Roemer said that not only did Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry fail to win a single southern or southwestern state, but Democrats also lost all five open U.S. Senate seats in the South. "When you're effectively losing all incumbent open seats and not winning at the presidential level and only four senators are left in the entire Deep South, you're in trouble," Roemer said. The problem also exists in his home state of Indiana, said Roemer, who pointed out that Indiana sent eight Democratic members to the House in the 1990s compared to just two today. Looking to possible future presidential candidates, Roemer said his party has several, including U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. "Evan Bayh is one who talks about values in a way that can connect to voters," Roemer said. He also named Democratic governors Mark Warner of Virginia; Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas; Thomas Vilsack of Iowa; and Bill Richardson of New Mexico, as prospective candidates. Roemer said he hasn't been offered a party vice chairmanship under Dean and is not sure he would accept such a role if it were offered. However, Roemer said he would consider playing a supporting role and plans to "continue to fight" for the party in the future. "Tim Roemer's service to our country in Congress, as a member of the 9/11 Commission and as a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship deserves respect and appreciation from all Hoosiers," Bayh said Monday. "He has represented our state and its people well and with honor. I look forward to his continued involvement in public service."
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