My Congressman, third-term Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), has been selected as the new head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). I’m a big fan. I campaigned for Van Hollen when he was still a primary underdog (the frontrunner was Kennedy relative Mark Shriver) in 2002. He scored an upset victory, then became one of only two Democratic challengers to knock off a Republican incumbent (8-term Representative Connie Morella, a class act–if a bit spineless–in her own right) in 2002. This past cycle, he was in charge of candidate recruitment for the House, and can thus claim a significant chunk of the responsibility for the donkey’s crushing victory. He replaces hard charger Rahm-bo (Rahm Emanuel (D-IL)).
Van Hollen also appeals to me because he’s, well, brilliant. B.A. Swarthmore, M.P.P Harvard, J.D. Georgetown–that’s the type of pedigree I like to see in office. The son of a Foreign Service official, he was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and his district (the Maryland 8th) borders D.C. and is considered one of the most politically-savvy in the nation. Van Hollen also got a coveted spot on the Ways and Means Committee.
And he’s catching love throughout the blogosphere.
Kos: “This is an excellent pick. (Of course it was, since this is who I had been rooting for publicly.) Welcoming message to Chris: ‘Stay the heck out of contested primaries.'”
Michael Crowley at TNR‘s “The Plank”:
Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen is succeeding Rahm Emanuel at the top of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. I don’t have much analysis except to say it’s a distinct change in style. Rahm is an F-bomber who suffers fools roughly the way Saddam suffered critics. Van Hollen seems an extremely nice and mild-mannered guy. He was also the main character in one of the pieces I’ve most enjoyed writing for TNR. (If you read it you’ll know he’s determined to prevent a Democratic return to the House minority.)
When both Kos and The New Republic are onboard, you know the guy has something going right!
ABC’s Political Radar has the early word on his strategy:
Van Hollen recently told ABC News that his strategy for Democrats to hold onto their newly won majority will be for them to “play offense” by going after what he calls “mid-hanging fruit”: entrenched Republican incumbents, who might be well-regarded in Washington, but who represent districts that vote Democratic in presidential elections.
Steve Benen: “In a pleasant surprise, Nancy Pelosi’s office announced this morning that Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) will replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Van Hollen, whom I’m a big fan of, won re-election this year with 77% in his district, which is just outside DC.” (It’s a “pleasant surprise” because Van Hollen is not considered a Pelosi loyalist–his district is neighboring that of Pelosi arch-rival Steny Hoyer).
Jousting for Justice (Great name–Maryland’s official sport is Jousting): “How can we not, as the small state of Maryland, take pride in the fact that Chris Van Hollen is now the chair of the DCCC or that Steny Hoyer is our #2 man in the House? I don’t begrudge the small pleasures of rooting for the locals–sportsteams or otherwise.”
Of course, it’s unclear how long Van Hollen will be in his current spot–a lot of people have him tagged as due for advancement when Senator Barbara Mikulski’s seat becomes open. That could shape up to be a vicious primary fight: Many people will be saying that it will be long past due for an African-American politician to advance to a top spot in Maryland state politics. I sincerely hope that Van Hollen isn’t a victim of that–he deserves more national exposure. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. For now, nothing but a hearty congratulations to my spectacular Representative!