Four years after taking over the helm of the Democratic National Committee, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is calling it quits, multiple news organizations are reporting.

Elevated to the top DNC slot after his failed but ground-breaking presidential campaign, Dean enraged some Washington insiders but thrilled state party activists by investing resources in even heavily-Republican territory through his 50-state strategy. That strategy, some now say, helped propel Democrats to unlikely victories over the last two cycles.

Dean can also claim credit -- or take the blame, depending on one's perspective -- for elevating the liberal netroots to new prominence in the party. During his watch at 430 South Capitol Street, Dean involved groups like the DailyKos community to an extent previously unmatched in politics.

Meanwhile, Dean maintained a contentious and at times bruised relationship with top Congressional Democrats like Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Senator Charles Schumer, who headed their party's campaign efforts in the House and Senate in 2006. At one well-publicized meeting, Emanuel, whose DCCC offices were in the same building as Dean's, huffed out of Dean's office after a loud disagreement over party spending.

Dean's tenure saw a downturn in fundraising but a dramatic uptick in electoral results after disappointing cycles in 2000, 2002 and 2004. While the national atmosphere, President Bush's low approval ratings and strong performances from both the DCCC and the DSCC deserve most of the credit for Democratic successes of late, the national party did help build state and local organizations in areas that were previously the sole domain of Republicans.

With the Vermont governor no longer in the picture, early speculation about a long list of potential replacements will begin. President-elect Barack Obama will have a hand in the selection, which has historically been used either to reward big-name backers or install fundraising and political powerhouses.

Bill Clinton did both, installing 1992 campaign manager David Wilhelm and political operatives like Steve Grossman, Joe Andrew and Terry McAuliffe for some periods and well-known public officials like former Colorado Governor Roy Romer and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

If Obama chooses the big-name route, he might tap a governor who faces term limits, like Tim Kaine or Bill Richardson. On the other hand, Obama could throw his support behind campaign manager David Plouffe, who many have floated as bound for bigger and better things after steering Obama's campaign to an historic win.

Democrats will meet early next year to elect a new chair.