Axlerod Credits Dean’s 50-State Strategy for Stretching Map

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean met a lot of resistance heading into the 2006 midterm election when he diverted funds from strategically selected congressional races for party building work in all 50 states. But today the Barack Obama campaign is offering some validation to Dean as the campaign and committee join efforts for the general election.

“I think that we are going to have a larger battlefield in 2008,” Obama chief strategist David Axlerod told The Huffington Post while verifying Dean would remain head of the DNC.

“I think we are going to stretch the Republicans. I don’t think they can take for granted nearly as many states as they have in the past. And I think we are going to add several to the Democratic column this year and so our coalition is going to be broader.”

In his statement welcoming the Obama team to the DNC, Dean said the committee and Obama campaign will continue to build on the 50-state strategy.

“Over the last three years, the DNC staff has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Democratic Party is strong in all 50 states and that we communicate our values to Americans across the country,” Dean said.

“The DNC and the Obama Campaign are now working together to continue this effort.”