WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Democratic Divide, Part 2

Selling the Democrat's message is a big part of Howard Dean's day.

As the Democratic presidential nomination battle drags on-- media scrutiny increases. He often does several live interviews a day via satellite.

"You get used to them... it's what you do," says Dean, chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Dean is under pressure from leaders to hold the party together.

"I'm confident, we have two candidates that will work hard and they are having a spirited contest," he says.

Live interviews are done from the basement of the DNC. Dean showed us around the Washington office and showed off some Vermont employees.

Reporter Kristin Carlson asks, "Did you ever think you'd be in this position when you became DNC chair of not having a nominee at this point?"

Dean: "No, we didn't think so, but that is what politics are about-- surprises."

Carlson: "Are you worried though that the nightmare scenario is a split in the party?"

Dean: "You always worry about that but I have every confidence that if we can get a nominee in June the split will heal."

Dean's trying to avoid a nasty nomination fight at the August Democratic convention. He's calling on superdelegates who could vote for either candidate at the convention to make it public who they support before then.

"The voters will have their say that will be all over and done with by June 3rd and that time between now and June 3rd I want the superdelegates to stand up and say who they are for-- they have to do it in August and they can do an enormous amount of harm to our party and country if they wait until August," says Dean.

But as a Washington outsider, some question if Dean has the clout with superdelegates and candidates to influence what happens. Already Hillary Clinton has said she's staying in the race through the summer.

"This is the most exciting campaign I've ever covered," says Reporter Bob Schieffer.

The CBS Face the Nation host says Dean is catching criticism from both campaigns.

"This is politics, that's what's going on here. You have two people who want the same prize and so they're going to have two points of view and he's the man in the middle," says Schieffer.

Asked how he thinks Dean has handled things so far, Schieffer replies, "I think he's done all right. He's done fine. Most polls show while the Democrats are worried about all of it they are not ready to bring it to a conclusion, so perhaps he's reflecting what's on the minds of most Democrats."

"Howard loves a scrappy fight," says Dean's former Administration Secretary Kathy Hoyt.

Hoyt says Dean is up to the challenge and points to how he takes on problems.

"He would bring people he trusted around him and he would bring people who would argue around him, that's how Howard makes decisions," she explains. "He loves to make decisions because he is someone who is very action oriented."

Middlebury College Political Scientist Eric Davis says this test could make or break not just Dean's legacy, but also the future of the Democratic party.

"If supporters of the candidate leave the convention dispirited, not enthusiastic, not willing to work hard for the Democratic ticket in the fall, then some of the responsibility for that might rest on Howard Dean's shoulders," says Davis.

Dean once thought there was a 2% chance of a convention fight, now he says its more like 30%. If voters declare a tie, he says it's hard for party officials to pick a winner.

Carlson: "How do you make sure that whoever isn't the nominee-- that their supporters don't feel disenfranchised?"

Dean: "Well you have to run this like a referee, which is a little unaccustomed to my temperament, you have to run a fair process and both sides are complaining and saying I'm with the other side which means I'm doing the right thing."

Carlson: "Some people want you to be more hands on."

Dean: "Most of the people who want me to be more hands on want me to take this position and ram it through the DNC. I am hands on as everyone in Vermont knows, but down here they have a peculiar code... if they say he needs to show more leadership that means he doesn't agree with me and I want him to agree with me and what I want. You take that with a grain of salt."

Dean wants to make sure the next President inside the White House is a Democrat. He's had conversations behind the scenes with the campaigns and top Democrats.

"If there's an opportunity to make a deal between the candidates that's a great thing, but sometimes there isn't," says Dean.

Dean adds he's surpassed expectations before; when he became governor, as a presidential frontrunner and winning the Democratic chairmanship.

"When I got to be Governor they underestimated me," says Dean. "I think the proof is in the pudding... I think they underestimate my determination and willingness to work hard."

Dean is taking a hands-off approach with Florida and Michigan. Both states violated party rules when they voted early. Dean says at this point he doesn't want to seat them at the convention and have that change who wins the nomination. He's hoping a nominee emerges because a convention fight in August puts Democrats at a disadvantage-- then they'll only have a few months to campaign against Republican John McCain.

Kristin Carlson - WCAX News