The American Spectator

Right now, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is a leading candidate for the job, after longtime Gore and DNC activist Donna Brazile removed her name from the running. Gov. Bill Richardson was also thought to be a dark horse for the job if he chose to pursue it.

Tough guy Harold Ickes is considered to be on a par with Vilsack, though there is growing distrust among DNC leaders about again handing over the party apparatus to someone so close to the Clintons. Ickes, however, has just as close ties with organized labor, which if the party is to keep up with the Republicans must be somehow assuaged.

Dean was felt to have a shot based on the fundraising performance he exhibited during the Democratic primary. His campaign was credited with drawing in tens of thousands of donors via the Internet, who donated money in small amounts similar to how Republicans have given to their party.

But Dean had little to nothing to do with that fundraising success. Dean insiders say that his campaign manager, Joe Trippi, deserves much of the credit for creating that kind of online fundraising environment.

p>”Dean was the draw, but the ideas were Trippi’s,” says a former Dean staffer. “If the party is serious about somehow becoming more progressive and appealing to younger voters, Trippi is the guy, not Dean.” br> /p>