June 5, 2008
Posted: 01:30 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
Barack Obama and Howard Dean.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Barack Obama is moving to take leadership of the Democratic Party, installing one of hit top field lieutenants at the Democratic National Committee, along with a sweeping new ban on special interest money. The campaign announced that Howard Dean would remain head of the DNC, addressing speculation that he might be replaced with a candidate chosen by Obama himself. Dean’s ambitious effort to build party infrastructure in all 50 states had been met with mixed reviews – criticized by Democrats nervous over the DNC’s dire financial straits, praised by activists determined to compete with Republicans in every area of the country. "Sen. Obama appreciates the hard work that Chairman Dean has done to grow our party at the grass-roots level and looks forward to working with him as the chairman of the Democratic Party as we go forward," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. Dean’s philosophy fits well with Obama’s strategy; massive wins in traditionally red states factored heavily in the Illinois senator’s successful nominating battle, and he won the backing of many Democrats in GOP strongholds who believe his presence on the ballot may prove decisive in down-ticket races this November.
In a new appointment, Obama senior adviser Paul Tewes will immediately begin to coordinate the campaign’s activities at party headquarters. Tewes led the Obama campaign to victory in Iowa before being dispatched to other primary season battlefields like Ohio. The campaign also said Thursday that the DNC, following Obama’s own policy, will no longer accept donations from political action committees or their members, or federal lobbyists, although donations that have already been accepted will not be returned. "We will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs. We're going to change how Washington works," Obama said Thursday. Obama and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain have tangled over the issue of lobbyist influence, and each campaign has accused the other of hiring individuals with ties to lobbying firms. The DNC – whose Republican counterpart has roughly 10 times as much cash on hand, according to their most recent campaign finance reports — is counting on the Obama fundraising juggernaut to help refill its coffers. The campaign and the DNC already have a joint fundraising agreement in place. Last month, the party had just $4.1 million cash on hand. Filed under: Barack Obama
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