By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Howard Dean, the former Democratic Party chairman who has turned his attention to healthcare reform, is moving into the publishing world to push progressive causes in much the same way conservatives did 40 years ago. Dean has been named the new chairman of the board of the Progressive Book Club, which models itself after the Conservative Book Club. The appointment comes as he is also preparing to release his first book since leaving the party chairmanship, Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform: How We Can Achieve Affordable Medicare Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer. The book aims to bolster President Obama's plan to offer public healthcare plans for the uninsured and those dissatisfied with employers' plans. Explaining his role with the book club, Dean posted a note on the club's website today comparing the progressive effort to the conservative game plan. "Conservatives have long used books—and book clubs—to legitimize their ideas and bring credibility to their principles and policies," he penned. "I believe Progressive Book Club has an invaluable role to play in keeping progressive ideas and values at the center of the national debate as we continue to move America in a new direction." Friends say the new post is a good fit with his other role as a founder of grass-roots Democracy for America, which is another arm of his healthcare reform bid.
Check out our gallery of Whispers political cartoons.
Follow Paul and Nikki on Twitter.
Read more Washington Whispers.
Reader Comments Read all comments (17)
Eva of CA 5:47PM July 30, 2009
don mondovich of PA 2:17AM July 29, 2009
angie d of OR 1:23AM July 29, 2009