The New York Times reports that Thomas (Tom) Perez, President Obama’s secretary of labor:

… has told three senior Democrats that he intends to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, challenging the front-running candidate, Representative Keith Ellison[.]

Perez is Obama’s choice.  He is much smarter than Ellison, has a lot of political experience, and is a very tough and skilled fighter.

Perez is less controversial than Ellison, though he is just as far to the left.  Plus, as a Hispanic (with two Dominican parents), he has appeal to more of a swing group than African-Americans or Muslims.

As a Republican, I hope Ellison wins.  Perez was on the very short list for V.P. for Clinton, though she chose to go for a safe pick with Tim Kaine. 

Thomas Lifson adds:

It is fascinating that President Obama is sabotaging Keith Ellison’s run.  This is pure practical politics, for Ellison would have been an utter disaster for the Democrats.  But Ellison does not go quietly into that dark night.  There could be some interesting consequences ahead for Obama and the Dems.