Former Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer told “an audience at the National Press Club that he has been asked by representatives of the Democratic National Committee [including Howard Dean] to speak for the party on social issues at local Democrat functions.” More below …
However, he lost to former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, an abortion advocate who lost the presidential nomination to John Kerry but found himself the darling of pro-abortion groups and the party’s liberal wing.
Although abortion advocates ran a fierce campaign against Roemer — snubbing him from meetings and booing him at gatherings — Dean decided he would be a valuable speaker.
“They’ve reached out and asked if I want to go to different states, give Jefferson-Jackson speeches, reach out and talk about some of the issues I talked about in the DNC race,” Roemer told the National Press Club.
According to a Jan. 9 Associated Press/ABC story on Roemer’s candidacy for national chair:
My two cents: We have room in the Democratic party for those who oppose abortion but who agree with the right of choice. Roemer will help bridge gaps in strategic local appearances. And, I’m glad that Howard Dean is reaching wider:
He criticized spending by the Bush administration and said that running deficits will prevent the country from mounting a strong defense against its foes. He also said President Bush and other Republicans launched divisive issues during the campaign, such as gay marriage. Dean said the country needs to close its divisions.
The Chairman said the deficits built under the Bush administration, plus policies that Dean and other Democrats present said make life harder for rural residents, will leave the Republicans vulnerable at the polls in upcoming elections.
“I think the Democratic Party is in the center,” Dean said. “We’re more conservative than Republicans are when it comes to money.”
Carol Joffe, via the Rockridge Instiute: