Dean takes the chair

The media savvy Howard Dean, new head of the DNC:

Asked about the Iraq elections, Dean said that his views aren't all that important anymore. "My positions on Iraq are well known," he said. "But I'm not going to get into any policy discussion on it." He said there was no need for him to offer his opinion about matters on which he won't have a vote. The proper place for that discussion, he said, is in "the Congress and the Democratic leadership in Congress."

A fine idea. While Dean may be the new face for the Democrats, it is the leadership in Congress, the ones who have to run on records, that will be responsible for setting the party's direction.

Of course, it's still day one, but it sounds like Dean will be in charge of organizing and fundraising. And if this is any indication of how he'll do, it should be a successful run.