There’s some drama surrounding the Democratic National Committee.

President-elect Barack Obama officially announced this week that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will be the party organ’s new chairman, replacing Howard Dean, who’s credited with helping reestablish the Democrats through his "50 State Strategy." It’s not unusual for parties to shift leadership every few years, but a few critics wonder if Kaine’s the right choice for the DNC, which portends to be a party of the people. Much of the debate revolves around worries that Kaine will expand upon the DNC’s faith-based initiatives, which were built up during Dean’s reign. Observing the possibility — rather than picking it apart — journalist Dan Gilgoff notes that Kaine’s personal faith played a large role in his 2005 gubernatorial campaign, when his staff introduced the former missionary’s faith right from the get-go.

The move helped him win over the so-called "values voters," a group that typically veers toward the Republican Party. While the DNC should certainly do all it can to include faithful Americans, Gilgoff hypothesizes that Kaine’s support for abortion limits may complicate the base. And, what’s more, previous spirit-centric efforts were coordinated by other staffers, like Chief of Staff Leah Daughtry, who’s a Pentecostal minister. Kaine’s past as a missionary, some say, will infuse faith more directly into the party. And abortion rights aren’t the only contentious topic — some gay and lesbian activists are concerned Kaine, who has a limp record on such matters, will only further marginalize them.

Meanwhile, other Democrats insist that Obama and his team, who seated Kaine, are intentionally snubbing outgoing Chairman Howard Dean:

The conspicuous absence of Howard Dean from Thursday’s press conference announcing Tim Kaine’s appointment as Democratic National Committee chair was no accident, according to Dean loyalists.

Rather, they say, it was a reflection of the lack of respect accorded to the outgoing party chairman by the Obama team.

Despite leading the party in consecutive triumphant election cycles – as well as through off-year races like when Kaine was elected Virginia governor in 2005 – Dean has become all but invisible since Election Day, passed over for the Cabinet position he coveted and apparently not in line for another administration post.

Indeed, when President-elect Barack Obama introduced Kaine at party headquarters Thursday afternoon, Dean was 7,023 miles and seven time zones away, closer to French Polynesia than Washington, doing party grunt work in American Samoa.

His allies aren’t happy about it.

“If he had been asked to go to that event, he would have been there,” Jim Dean, the chairman’s brother, noted twice in an interview.

Many also note that Dean, a trained doctor, had wanted the Health and Human Services position given to Tom Daschle. The oversight, they say, provides further proof that the former Vermont governor’s receiving the cold shoulder.

While that may be true, such infighting will do the party no favors. As the new president-elect prepares to take office, it would likely be best that Democrats rally around their new leaders, rather than harping on the past. Or, at least wait until everyone’s installed before making waves. Otherwise the entire fleet could simply capsize.