I had asked yesterday whether any strategists or campaign planners on the Democratic side had proven particularly talented or inspired in 2006.

Sen. Joe Biden must think he has found one – he hired a campaign manager, Luis Navarro, who will depart as executive director from the Florida Democratic Party. The AP summarizes Navarro’s brief, but fairly successful run in that position:

Navarro was hired in July 2005 as Democrats hoped to turn around a long, downward slide. His $180,000 salary raised some eyebrows, but the party believed it needed to bring in a strong professional to help turn around its fortunes.

 

In November, Democrats won back seven state House seats, two U.S. House seats and a Cabinet position — the chief financial officer post. It's biggest goal, though, wasn't met when Republican Charlie Crist comfortably beat U.S. Rep. Jim Davis to become governor.

Having Mark Foley's congressional seat fall into your lap helps improve one's record, but 2006 seemed to be a good year for Democrats, and Navarro probably had something to do with that.