This isn’t a surprise:
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said Wednesday that he will not seek another term as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chairman.
Van Hollen presided over substantial gains Tuesday, with Democrats looking to add more than 20 seats. They have gained 19 already, with six races outstanding.
At a news conference with reporters, Van Hollen suggested he wants to continue in leadership, but not in his current position.
“I’m exploring all my options,” he said in response to questions about his future. “But one option I’m not exploring is continuing on for another term at the DCCC.”
There’s also a lot of chatter about Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel accepting the job as Obama’s Chief of Staff, but First Read says that he has yet to accept the gig.
Van Hollen did a terrible job, unfortunately. Lots of missed opportunities given Obama’s success.
and a (saddened) continuation of my series:
blah blah blah landslide blah blah blah +50 blah blah blah filibuster-proof blah blah blah.
Well, filibuster-proof is still vaguely possible. If Minnesota, Oregon, and (miraculously) Alaska go our way, and then we pull it out in Georgia.
However, I think the new running joke will be the Throw Off the Island List.
Definitely torn on CVH’s leadership of the DCCC. Until I see it proven, I don’t think voters split ballots because of a desire for divided government. A mixed night, overall, down ballot.
So who’s next at the helm? My guess is Debbie Wasserman Schultz, which makes me a little nervous, considering her anemic support of Annette Taddeo, etc. Tough to worry about more and better Democrats if you protect pseudo-moderate Republicans (not that DWS was alone in this phenomenon).
Any other ideas?
At Conference Chair and at DCCC.
Will Van Hollan run to succeed Rahm? I hope so. Also I think the main contenders for DCCC are DWS and Xavier Becerra. I’m hoping Becerra gets the job.
From The Hill, a 2006 article: Outgoing DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) said last summer that he would not seek a second term because of family considerations. Democratic aides agree only on the uncertainty surrounding the vacancy and the members on the short list to fill it. They include Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), who, according to Democratic sources, appears to have the inside track over other possible contenders such as Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Artur Davis (Ala.), Kendrick Meek (Fla.), Mike Thompson (Calif.), and Xavier Becerra (Calif.).
Between 2006 and today we’ve gained no less than:
The Presidency, with probably the most progressive President in history.
Gained no less than 51 additional U.S. House seats (30 in 2006/3 specials/18 in 2008), probably a couple more pending recounts.
No less than 12 additional U.S. Senate seats(6 in 2006/6 in 2008), and possibly MN and maybe AK pending recounts/special elections.
Gained a net of 7 additional Governorships.
Taken over a solid majority of the state legislative bodies.
Not bad for a little over 2 years of work!
She’s qualified for HHS or a couple other possible positions. A huge bonus to appointing her would be that it would allow Democratic Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson nearly two full years of incumbency and a big advantage in 2010 for what would have been an open Governor’s race.