GregsOpinion.com

I am sure that you saw that Congressman John Murtha (PA) endorsed Howard Dean, but maybe you did not see that Congressman Barney Frank (MA) endorsed Frost.

I have to wonder whether Murtha is suffering from the onset of Alzheimers or just plain old senility. Perhaps Murtha fell and suffered severe head injuries. Howard Dean is much more liberal than is Murtha. Moreover, a DNC headed by Dean would hardly be good for Democrats running for office in PA outside Philadelphia. Nevertheless, Murtha's endorsement sure made Deaniacs and Dean supporters at DAILY KOS (the "Kossacks") and within what you call the Crank Caucus happy.

Obviously, Frost and Frank are also not on the same ideological wave length. However, Frank did have an opportunity to observe Frost's poltical and fundraising skills as DCCC chairman. Moreover, perhaps Frank believes that the Democrats will have difficulty retaking the White House and Congress unless Liberals recognize that moderate and conservative Democrats are a vital part of a big tent coalition. Indeed, unless Democrats start appointing Hawks and centrists to more leadership positions, they will continue to have difficulty competing in Red States/Districts and winning over Old Reagan Democrats, Values Voters, independents and swing voters. In any case, it is interesting that Barney Frank threw his support to Frost, no matter what Frank's motivations were.

Some of Frost's supporters are also apparently suggesting that the former Texas Congressman may have a better understanding of issues of importance to Jewish and Hispanic voters than do some other DNC candidates. Frost, after all, is Jewish. Moreover, being from Texas, Frost has dealt with Hispanic issues and has seen their impact close up. Rosenberg, of course, is also Jewish and established a program to mobilize the Hispanic vote.

You clearly believe that Rosenberg over at the NDN would fulfill all of these roles better than Frost. I have to admit that my first priority would be to stop Dean. If Rosenberg is the man to do that, more power to him. Moreover, as some Rosenberg supporters suggest, maybe he can bridge the gap between Liberals and Centrists. Yet, Frost would probably contend that he had to contend with the Liberal-Centrist rivalry as former DCCC chairman.

FYI, according to this, Molly Beth Malcolm has officially withdrawn from consideration. Not that I expected her to be a serious contender.

According to someone who was at the Florida meeting, the whole story about Molly Beth running is this:

Ron Kirk gave his speech at the Florida meeting. He mentioned something about how no women were running and how that was unfortunate for the party. Molly Beth was at the meeting and a lot of folks immidiately filed the paperwork to make her an official candidate. She wasn't interested, or there wasn't any broader interest in her candidacy (or most likely, a little bit of both), and she finally announced that she wasn't running / wasn't interested.

At least that's my understanding of it all.

I think Frost has the fire that is needed here in Texas. Considering Bush was at the top of the ticket, holding Sessions - another incumbant - to 54% in a Republican area, is quite impressive. We don't need anymore timid leaders.