By Larry Jones
January 31, 2005

National Conference of Democratic Mayors Vice President Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell moderated the group's January 18 meeting. During the meeting, members heard remarks from the current chair of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAulliffe, who has announced his retirement, and from seven candidates who are vying to replace him. McAulliffe praised the group for it's strong support of the DNC, provided a re-cap of the 2004 elections and shared his views on the upcoming elections. The group also heard from John Podesta, former White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, who currently serves as President and CEO of the Center for American Progress.

Candidates vying to become the next chair of the DNC discussed their unique qualifications and asked members of the NCDM for their support. These included former Presidential candidate Howard Dean, former Conference President and Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, head of the New Democratic Network Simon Rosenberg, former Texas Congressman Martin Frost, former Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer, Democratic strategist Donnie Fowler and former Ohio state Democratic Chair David Leland.