The California Young Democrats would like to congratulate Virginia Governor Tim Kaine on becoming the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee! We know from our colleagues in Virginia that he will be attentive to the youth vote and our issues in the coming years, and look forward to his leadership.

Now where do I start on all the adulation of Howard Dean as our chair for the past four years?

As someone who was inspired to work on my first Presidential race by Howard Dean in 2004 (along with a lot of CYD's leadership), we will look back very fondly on Dr. Dean's chairmanship.

When he said we ought to organize in all 50 states-including Alaska and Idaho-many thought he was wasting party resources. Yet on election night, he looked like a genius, as we had the organizing muscle to win a Senate race in Alaska and a congressional seat in Idaho. That's in addition to all the red states that parties strong enough to win seats for Democrats in places previously "off limits" to us.

So we thank you, Governor Dean, for your leadership in our party and wish you the best in your future endeavors.