Matt Kuhn, you've been elected chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party! However, you DON'T get to go to Disney World.
You have inherited an Executive Commitee evenly mixed with young folks, not-so-young folks, political newbies and old hacks from way back, and you have to juggle all of them in order to accomplish victories next year. As you are well aware, Democrats are a contentious lot, so this balancing act is key.
While you inherit a Party where the bills are all paid to this point, fund-raising has to take a priority, starting this very second. Everyone on the committee has to take responsibilty for this, because it's part of their job.
The advent of the COALITION allows you to attack a pressing need, and that's a SERIOUS Ward and Precinct operation; if they can organize like this for a convention, think what they can do with the entire county to work with!
I have my own requests; one, there will be those who will push to dump the headquarters (and you know who you are). DO NOT DO THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Why? Even if you have to reduce the amount of space we currently rent, this needs to be a focal point of visibility for this Party. More importantly, it can become a center for other progressive groups as well, who can then be utilized in the Ward and Precinct operation. It can only be an upward spiral that serves our goals well. Democrats NEED a central location and a central phone number.
Next, there are people NOT on the committee who will be useful in all areas. We need to create a website befitting our party and its purpose; talk to Francis Burhart in District 93, he and his friends are coming up with great ideas, including making the website bilingual.
What, you thought I would wait a few days? Well, I'm going to rest (as you should) for a day or two, but this was a good day for ALL Democrats, even those who got beat, more on that later.
Welcome to your party, Mr. Chairman; we're all here to help.
18 comments:
Well since the Convention Coalition is getting so much attention. Let me point out they learned fast how to LIE if you don't believe me just remember Matt's question of who did you vote for in the 2004 presidential primary and I hope you remember their answers then go to a site and check their voting records and lord only knows who they voted for in the General election because we can not check that. now instead of 2 factions we have 3 well this is Shelby and some of the same people who was opposed to revealing who they were going to vote for for chirman 2 years ago this year were all for it.
Better think about it you may think you are on top today but just wait to your so-called new friends turn on you.
I will always vote Democratic not becuse of today but in spite of today.
Thanks for the shout out Leftwing Cracker. Democracy for Memphis has some real progressive ideas to improve the party and city. The party headquarters is a must for the incubator project and voter outreach. Also, with the talent pool of the local democratic party, we could become a great tool in providing services to the community. Sort of like the Democracy Corps. Make people realize the Party puts its money where it's mouth is. That's the way you bring people into the party. Brad Watkins has a vision for great party and a great city. He is also the declared candidate for first chair of the executive committee. Look what he has done for Democracy for Memphis and his work with coalition. Now he has a chance to work for the benefit of the Shelby County Democratic Party. Hopefully, for the first time vice chair's can be elected on the merit of organizational skills and progressive ideas. Lets have that debate at the first EC meeting. Have a relaxing couple days off, because now the hard work begins. Frank Burhart
Democracy for Memphis
My blog
http://polardonkey.blogspot.com/
Your site is still and always will be the bomb Leftwing cracker!
Skimming the last several entries about the upcoming and now complete convention reminds me of how silly people become when they "don't get their way." To immediately check on someone's voting records in evident reaction to his election, while (sadly) "the way of things" these days, indicates little more than a desire to discredit and potentially destroy one's opponent in preference for one's own candidate. Such a desire for "I told you so-itis" is little more than what happens in churches with predictably similar results. Instead of "agreeing to diasgree" for purposes of a mutual aspiration (defeating Republicans, serving God or whatever the analogous link), accusations and innuendoes begin to fly that ultimately destroy the "party" or "church" in order not to save the larger reality, but to get one's way on the elementary school playground. In other words, "If I don't win, I'll take my marbles and go to another sandbox" or, in this case, "see, I told you he was a bum." Either way, these sentiments are incredibly stupid and childish. Somewhere (like the White House), the Republicans are laughing.
Remember folks, my guy, Joe Young, didn't win either, and I'm not complaining.
One of the poignant moments of the day for me was when David Cocke spoke to those assembled.
He spoke with the grace and dignity that has marked his public life. He may not have won today, but you can bet he won't go off and sulk, because he's not that kind of person.
He will be there to advise if needed, and I suspect Matt will talk to him about this job more than once.
Follow David's example as you followed him at the convention; it's vital if we're going to get this party cranked up for 2006, with the longest ballot in Shelby County history.
By the way, you'll still be needed as well, so take some time, and get over this. We have bigger fish to fry.
Your right we will have a huge slate of candidates - so choose one and work for them. You don't need the committee to get involved. If you, like I disagree with the lies and mudslinging and utter disrespect (not letting the current Chairman talk - yelling explicatives at him while he tried to conduct the meeting)- then by all means take your marbles to a sandbox you can BELIEVE in and get busy- there are a lot of good candidates who will appreciate your help. While the other 80,000 voting Democrats in Shelby Co. take action the new Chair and 67 member Committee can implode for all I care.
Looks like sidney going to get all the doe next year what a shame maybe you dems will stop fighting long enuff to get someone elected ?
I agree with the positive comments about David Cocke, he is a true statesman and you saw that today. He did not leave in an angry way as I am sure the leaders of the Coalition would have done.
I predict Ms Desi will run her course and when she is tired of this little power trip she is on, she will disappear and we old commoners, who have been around thru thick and thin in many Democratic races will still be there fighting for the common man.
I believe they said they wanted to bring unity if this is unity, I am a monkey's uncle. Did anyone notice the racial makeup of the committee, I would say you whites have for now taken back the party, but just wait until the primaries, you can bet Blacks will win. Now remember the pledge you signed to support all Democrats. What will be your excuse then?
Well it is obvious that the anonymous writer who fired back about the bilingual webpage has his/her finger on the pulse of the population of Shelby County. NOT. Ask anyone and they will tell you that the Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing populations in the county, state and country. Catch up please!!
It's over.
I hope we can turn the same anger we are showing against each other on voting out Repubs next year.
That's right we will elect Democrats with people like David Cocke leading us. Let's see I know we are not suppose to be very smart but I believe that is $25.00 per year for Matt.
Now we need to see haw much David has given. I know of many times when he has given $1000.
Do you really think David will not play a big role in Harold Jr's campaign. Do you think your lies can hurt a man of David Cocke's status.You may have won this battle with your lies but not the war. We shall overcome.
Desi, what are you going to do when Lamar Alexander runs again?
I believe there are rules about EC members supporting republicans
For all of you complaining, I find it amusing that you people are chickenshit to hide behind an anonymous posting and don't have the guts to say who you really are. This is the crap the Republicrats love to hear from us, viscous bitter infighting on clothes choice. My god, we just swallowed our own heads and IJTUIMM at the comments I've been reading. Suck it up people and fight the real enemy, King Shrub, not each other.
I'm disgusted.
Yes, I've deleted several posts, and frankly, if you don't like it, you don't have to come back.
I was gone for 4 hours tonight and the supporters of David Cocke have shown about .00000001 of the class that he has, frankly, he deserved better than you.
The things I've seen here since I got back nauseated me, especially the unwarranted slap at Jenny Kuhn.
I'm not going to put up with this crap, and if it starts again, I'm going to find a way to block IP addresses from this blog.
Get over it, you lost, the more I've read, the more I think you deserve it.
I don't belong to any organized party, I'm a democrat.... Will Rogers said it best. I saw this kind of infighting break apart
the democratic party in Alabama in 1986,
over the Graddick vs. Baxley primary. The two factions pulled the party in two by saying and doing hatful things to each other. After that the first republican governor was elected and that opened up the door, for bama to become a red state. Before that
there was almost no republican party in Alabama (Less than 10%). I think someone needs to bring an olive branch to this infighting or we will be in danger of losing a good core of folks. We need to push the party forward because we've gotten some vitial races in 06 that's of the utmost importance. It is important that we pull together as a team and make the republicans your natural enemy not each other. I've gotten more people elected (in five differant states) than probably anyone else. Since I've been here in TN (three and a half years) I have ran and worked in many, many canpaigns. Alot of the new people don't have the experience, (some have been here there whole lives and done nothing to help in the electorial process). I understand that many are willing to learn and I hope to be able to show them the ropes of what it takes to be successful, to anyone who wants to know. The time to get out and help in politics and campaigning is now, lets go to work and forget about who belongs to what faction.
I just belong to just one
The Democratic Party !!!!!!!!!!
I did not read the comments that were removed, but I certainly don't think that an honest, true Democrat would become a censor. Free speech- or do you just act as selective with the Democratic principles you possess as you do with comments that you post. I get it- only those who agree with you may participate. Maybe they should call you Left "CHICKEN"-wing cracker.
yada, yada yada.
When the posts get VICIOUS and personal rather than just critical, THEN I delete, I left a lot up.....
I'm not the government, this is my blog, and I can do what i want.
I left yours up, didn't I?
Cherry Davis said she voted for John Edwards in the primary. How was this done since she went to the convention as a Clark delegate and that decision had to mailed to Nashville before the primary.
Impossible unless she mailed in credentials for Clark then voted for Edwards but that would be silly since she would be voting against her chance og going to the convention.
I noticed several new EC members said they voted for candidates that were already off the ballot by 3/2004. Matt, as a lawyer will tell you don't ask a question that you don't know the answer.
The thing is, Cocke's supporters did nothing but hurt him. While he might have had trouble getting the chair anyway, I know for a fact that there were several delegates turned off by the actions of Cocke's people. David is a good person and could have done himself a huge favor by personally phoning delegates and respectfully requesting support instead of having Upton call and put people off. While it still might not have gained him the chair, it could have taken things further towards unity in the party.
Personally, I supported Cocke and would have voted for him had I ended up running for the EC. I decided not to run for the EC partly because of this nastiness. My feelings have only been confirmed by the continuation of the nastiness.
Given the ugliness in the process, I could not in good conscience support those delegates. The delegates I did vote for did not inform me as to who they supported for chair, nor did I ask them to tell me. I felt as a delegate that I had to represent the majority rather than push someone's particular agenda. That's why I voted the way I did.
The fact that Cocke did not win the chairmanship is an indication of the dissappointment with Harold Ford as much as anything else. His votes on the bankruptcy bill makes it clear that Ford is out of touch with his constituents. I hope this outcome will remedy that problem. In any case, if Ford is the Senate nominee I will support him. Why? Because I'm a Democrat and I still have hope that he can regain a relationship with this district.
Kuhn was not my first or even my second choice, but I will work with him and support the party in any way I can. This is the ONLY way we will be able to defeat Republicans in this city. This backbiting is ridiculous when the only enemy we all have in common is the Republican party. As far as I am concerned, the GOP are now enemies of the state. A few days ago they made the Patriot Act permanant. PERMANENT! Our country's very existence depends on our unity on both local and national level. So get over it and get to work!
In response to an earlier post, Howard Dean had withdrawn but was still on the ballot in Tennessee, and I still voted for him because I believed in what he stood for and still stands for.
I'm not surprised that there are Deaniacs on the ExecCom; they run the gamut from Del Gill to Ted Strom!
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