Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Claire McCaskill and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, University of Miami, September 19, 2008
Lynn Sweet (Chicago Sun-Times): Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl.) one of the most articulate spokespeople for Democratic candidates and causes – and a breast cancer survivor – is President Obama’s choice to replace Democratic National Committee chair Tim Kaine, who announced Tuesday he will be stepping down to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Virginia.
…Though Wasserman Schultz was a supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, the Obama team admired her for taking on high profile surrogate chores…she brings to the DNC a formidable package: she comes from Florida, a 2012 battleground state; a smashing fund-raising track record; an appeal to female voters and strong connections to the U.S. Jewish community.
Former DNC co-chair Lynn Cutler, called the selection of Wasserman Schultz a “brilliant pick! She is a great energetic spokesperson, an effective fund raiser, and a very smart politician.”
Vice President Biden made the announcement of Obama’s choice in an e-mail to DNC members, whose ratification will be a formality. I’m told that when DNC executive director Patrick Gaspard told the DNC staff about Obama’s pick, the place erupted.
Schultz is the first female to chair the DNC since Debra DeLee held the post from 1994 to 1995.
The Obama Diary 
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