The ghost of Party past

"If Ron Brown were the chairman, this wouldn't be happening."

So sayeth Howard.

Invoking the patron saint of Clintonism and the DLC may seem a strange way for Howard Dean to appeal for relief from his critics, but it's even stranger, given his penchant for shouting "You have the power!" and proclaiming the glory of the grassroots.

Ron Brown was the quintessential Washington insider and one of the most autocratic DNC chairs in my memory. For me, the lasting image of Ron Brown as DNC chair is a man banging a huge gavel demanding attention and order while hundreds of convention delegates filed before him, gagged in silent protest of his gag order against Jerry Brown, then a candidate for the nomination who was forbidden to address the Convention by Ron Brown's order.

Yeah. Howard Dean's all about people power. His people, his power.

Please.