Please tell me this is true:

Top Democrats, including New York Sen. Charles Schumer, are working to convince current Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe to stay at his post for at least another twelve months as the party prepares for the 2006 midterm elections.

McAuliffe is due to give up the post in five weeks when his four-year term ends at the DNC’s winter meeting in Washington, DC.

The Democrats trying to get him to extend his tour of duty fear that the large current crop of candidates for chair has not sufficiently inspired the 440-odd voting members of the national committee, and that a chair without a solid mandate would destabilize the party at the very moment when it most needs a steady hand. McAuliffe, they say, could build on his successes and incorporate many of the ideas being proposed by those who want to replace him.

I simply cannot understand how Democrats can fathom keeping this guy. I know the alternatives are pretty uninspiring, but how can you stick with this guy?

He oversaw the miserable performance of Democrats in 2002. He oversaw the debacle that was the California recall election in 2003. He oversaw the debacle that was the 2004 general election. What can this guy cling to? What has he achieved during his tenure?

If they keep McAuliffe, the GOP will retain power for generations.