I missed an important point...

earlier, distracted as I was by my (not so) fond remembrance of the Ron Brown era at the DNC. Happily, the New Republic made it for me (though the emphasis is all mine).

"...Dean pined for the days when Democrats had a party leader strong enough to stop attacks on the frontrunner. "If Ron Brown were the chairman, this wouldn't be happening," Dean lamented. Actually, if Ron Brown were the chairman, Howard Dean wouldn't be happening. "