Howard Dean elected chairman of U.S. Democrats
{{date|February 13, 2005}}
[[Image:Howard Dean declaration of candidacy June 2003.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Howard Dean at speech in 2003.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: John P. Hoke, http://john.hoke.org, 23-June-2003.</span>]]
{{w|Howard Dean}} was elected the chairman of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] of the [[United States]] on Saturday. The former governor of [[Vermont]] and a presidential candidate in the 2004 elections was chosen by a voice vote of the 447-member {{w|Democratic National Committee}}. Dean replaces {{w|Terry McAuliffe}} as chairman of the committee.

The election of Dean to the post reflects the party's trust in his accomplishments during the presidential campaign. As a candidate, Dean mobilized support from across the country in his ''Dean for America'' campaign, using the Internet as a medium for organizing fundraising. According to MSNBC, the House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] said "He has used the power of technology, the force of his personality and the depth of his ideals to bring new people into the party." Dean did not win the party's nomination, which instead went to {{w|John Kerry}}.

In his acceptance speech, Dean called for increased organization, and standing up for the party's platform. He said "Standing up for our beliefs, organizing, and transforming our party into a grassroots organization that can win in all 50 states: That's how we will rebuild the Democratic Party."

Dean's new position faces a mixed reaction from other politicians. The chairman of the {{w|Republican National Committee}}, Ken Mehlman, said that "Howard Dean's energy and passion will add to the political discourse in this country and he will be a strong leader for his party." Former {{w|Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker}} of the [[US House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] [[Newt Gingrich]] has recently said that the Democrats should only elect Dean "if they have a true death wish."

==References==
* {{source|title=Howard Dean elected to lead Democrats|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6958538/|author=[[Associated Press]]|pub=MSNBC|date=February 12, 2005}}
* {{source|title=Rebel firebrand Howard Dean voted in as Democratic Party chief|url=http://www.turkishpress.com/w.asp?s=u&i=050212231323.h66ydjm4|author=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]|pub=TurkishPress.com|date=February 13, 2005}}
* {{source|title=U.S. Democrats elect Dean as chairman|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2005/02/12/dean050212.html|author=|pub=CBC News|date=February 12, 2005}}
* {{source|title=Dean chosen to lead US Democrats|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B6EC58B9-A6A1-443F-810E-043F9993CEAB.htm|author=[[Reuters]]|pub=AlJazeera|date=February 12, 2005}}
* {{source|title=Text of Howard Dean's remarks at DNC event|url=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3036902|author={{w|Howard Dean}}|pub=Houston Chronicle|date=February 12, 2005}}

==External links==
* Video of Howard Dean's acceptance speech: [http://mfile.akamai.com/8082/wmv/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/video/deanelect/chairmandean_hi.asx High Resolution] / [http://mfile.akamai.com/8082/wmv/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/video/deanelect/chairmandean_med.asx Low Resolution]
* [http://newt.accrisoft.com/index.php?src=news&prid=934&category=Interview%20Transcripts Interview with Newt Gingrich on the O'Reilly Factor show]

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[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Nancy Pelosi]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Newt Gingrich]]
[[Category:Democratic Party (United States)]]

[[sv:Dean utsedd till demokraternas ordförande]]
Howard Dean at speech in 2003.Photo Credit: John P. Hoke, http://john.hoke.org, 23-June-2003.
Democratic Party of the United States on Saturday. The former governor of Vermont and a presidential candidate in the 2004 elections was chosen by a voice vote of the 447-member
United States Politics and conflicts Nancy Pelosi North America Newt Gingrich Democratic Party (United States)