Yeah, that’s right: I’m bringing back the sad Vader over this. Because my anguish is THAT GREAT.

Seriously, Dean’s chairmanship was one of the best things to happen to the DNC in a good long while. And I’m not just saying that because I was a certified Deaniac back in 2004. A lot of people in the party, including future White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, really went to war with him over his 50 state strategy back in 2006, but there’s no doubt looking back that he was vindicated. I really doubt that Obama could have won Virginia and North Carolina if Dean hadn’t spent so much time investing in the grassroots in deep red states.

Beutler’s kicked off the irresponsible speculation over which White House cabinet position he’s stepping down from the DNC to receive. I hereby nominate him for Secretary of Awesome.