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Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb has hired Democratic strategist Paul Lhevine to manage his quest to chair the Democratic National Committee. Lhevine, 37, ran John Hickenlooper's 2003 mayoral bid. He also managed campaigns for U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, and the Coalition for a Better Colorado, which was instrumental in flipping control of both of Colorado's legislative chambers this year from Republican to Democratic. Webb aims to spend the next six weeks stumping to replace Terry McAuliffe as the top fundraiser, organizer and public face of the Democratic Party. Some 450 party brass will vote for their new leader in mid-February. The former two-term Denver mayor faces competition from Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and presidential candidate. Other likely contenders include former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, an African-American whom Webb is said to have quietly tried to elbow out of the race; and former Indiana Democratic Rep. Tim Roemer, who might face controversy for his stance against abortion rights. [more]