Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has gotten plenty of slaps on the back for his role in helping Democrats win back the House and Senate in the 2006 elections, but he's facing a new problem that could put him on the outs with some of those state party chairs he's been so chummy with up to now.



The Detroit News is reporting this morning that Michigan Dems want to move up their presidential caucus to Jan. 29 or even earlier -- whatever it takes to be in position to have maximum impact on who becomes the party's presidential nominee. Michigan Dems say it's time big states like theirs get to call the shots in the primary process, instead of allowing puny population states like New Hampshire and Iowa have all the glory. For the full story, click HERE.



The potential move by Michigan Dems comes one day after Florida Democrats basically thumbed their noses at Dean and said they planned to go ahead with a primary on Jan. 29. New Hampshire has already reset the date for its traditional first-in-the-nation primary to Jan. 22, and has vowed to make it even earlier in order to remain Number 1. Dean has threatened to strip Florida of its delegates to the national convention if Sunshine State Dems persist in trying to push the usual early birders to the sidelines.

Dean saw his own presidential fortunes flop in Iowa and New Hampshire in 2004, but as the former governor of our small state, he is understandably an admirer of retail politics. Plus, he knows that when a small state is at the head of the primary schedule, White House wannabes are forced to go face-to-face with the voters, instead of simply paying for face time on TV to get their message across.

But it's also understandable why the big states want the prestige, power and, uh, the money that flows from being in a pole position in the race for the party's presidential nomination. Michigan Dems say they'll do whatever it takes to supplant New Hampshire primary's traditional first-in-the-nation status -- even if it means having their caucus in late December. Imagine that, deciding on the party's nominee 11 months before the general election!

Exactly how Dean navigates his way through this internecine minefield will be interesting to watch. He can stick to his guns and stick it to the delegates of Florida and Michigan if their state parties ignore his warnings, but does he really want alienate Dems in such important electoral states?

"This thing could be a total mess unless we find a way out of this," Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., told the Associated Press this week.

Aaaaargh!

-- Sam Hemingway