Dean Will Step Down as DNC Chairman

Howard Dean will step down as chairman of the Democratic National Committee at the end of his term in January, the Huffington Post reports. Although the success of Dean’s “50-state strategy” fueled speculation that he would stay on, the post is likely to go to an Obama insider like Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, co-chair of the president-elect’s campaign.

“My sense is that the Obama folks are pretty insular and don't want somebody else building the party,” a Dean aide says. Nonetheless, Dean’s tenure has left its mark on the DNC. Although many, including new chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, opposed the 50-state strategy, its success in the 2008 elections will likely make it the new foundation of Democratic election planning. (More Howard Dean stories.)