Dean, others seek support for top DNC post

NEW YORK – The seven candidates competing to be the Democratic Party’s national chairman campaigned for support Saturday during a regional caucus in Manhattan, two weeks before the Democratic National Committee elects a new leader.

Former presidential candidate Howard Dean is considered the front-runner in the critical race for Democrats, currently the minority party in the House and Senate.

Dean, speaking to 90 committee members, relied on familiar themes from his unsuccessful presidential race.

“We cannot be Republican-light if we want to win elections,” Dean said. “We need to be people of conviction.”

Dean said Democrats should focus on winning races such as county clerks, state assemblies and secretaries of state because “we are not going to win the presidency unless we can win local offices.”

The forum at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan was the fifth and final regional meeting before the DNC holds its election on Feb. 12 in Washington, D.C.

The six other candidates include former Texas Rep. Martin Frost, former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, Democratic activists Donnie Fowler and Simon Rosenberg, and Ohio state chair David Leland.

All seven are trying to succeed incumbent Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who has been urged by some to remain in the position.