I am neither a Mcauliffe booster or detractor but I must say this; I don't know his exact political leanings aside from being a Democrat. This is a good thing for the DNC chair. It allows that person to fully back whoever is selected as the Democrat nominee. Mcauliffe would have been an enthusiastic and vocal backer of any of this years contenders.
What about Dean? I know his political leanings (I agree with him). My feeling is that Dean's speech did not highlight those leanings but focused enough on basic issues that any democrat should be able to agree with him. But I wonder, would he enthusiastically back a right wing Democrat like Lieberman?