I am sitting in the conference room with 470+ DNC members- preparing to say good bye to Gov. Howard Dean and Hello to Gov. Tim Kaine.

The nomination is unopposed.

There were wonderful thank you speeches for Gov. Howard Dean, Including a special recognition from the Native American Caucus. Gov. Dean was the first DNC chair ever, to visit Native American reservations, and he did it not just once but many times. This is a sad day for me. Howard Dean is the reason I ran for the DNC and I am sorry that as I start to serve my term it will not be under his leadership.

I hope that Gov. Kaine will appreciate the infrastructure, made of bits, bytes and hearts and minds that Gov. Dean has built these last 4 years. The 50 state strategy will be crucial to the future of our party and our country.

I hope our new officers will work to not just maintain but increase the efforts of the 50 state strategy.

Nominating speeches are ending...
soon Gov. Dean will not be our party chair any longer-- my heart is heavy, but I am still hopeful. These are good people and they know the value of the efforts of the last 4 years. If Gov. Kaine does not commit resources and efforts to continue and extend the 50 state strategy I believe the people in this room will hold his feet to the fire.

UPDATE: the gavel has changed hands.