Chairman Cranwell

Democrats have persuaded "Dickey" Cranwell, the former House Majority Leader and master of legislative strategery, to lead the party into the final six months of the 2005 campaign. The party announced the change in a press release Sunday after it was first reported in the Washington Post Sunday morning.

"As he did when he was majority leader, Cranwell will work tirelessly and passionately for the party and its statewide ticket, including Kaine and Sen. Creigh Deeds," said the party's spokesman, Kevin Griffis.

No, the change is not being made because Donley's first name reminds people of John Kerry. Griffis says Donley is taking a job as the atheletic director at Alexandria's T.C. Wiliams High School, which means lots of push ups, and no politics. The school board asked him to step down as party chairman and he will do so this month.

For Democrats, Cranwell brings a sharp tongue, a long history of sparring with Republicans and a connection with rural and southwest voters that Tim Kaine needs in his battle for the governorship with Jerry "Gate City" Kilgore. Cranwell, who represented the Roanoke area for years, will join Linwood Holton (former Republican governor from southwest Virginia) as the second big gun from that region in Kaine's arsenal. (Oh, and Holton's also Kaine's father-in-law.)

Will Cranwell's selection matter to the outcome of the race? That's not certain. But people who know "Dickey" say it will most certainly make the race more interesting.

By Michael Shear |  June 4, 2005; 10:55 PM ET  | Category:  Democrats
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