OK, then.

VITO CORLEONE (exhales, bows his head; physically shaken and weakened)

I want -- all inquiries made. I want no acts of vengeance. I want you to arrange a meeting, with the heads of the Five Families. This war stops now.

- THE GODFATHER - 1972

Well, maybe I did overreact. I'm hardly the white Thaddeus Matthews, but I have been frustrated with the SCDP Chair race.

I am frustrated because I am only hearing one side of this, the Jay Bailey side. I have been hoping to hear from the Van Turner side so they can make their case. I don't claim to speak for Bailey, and I accused Ross of being the spokesman for Turner because he has been quiet, too quiet.

Look, right at this point in time, I'm not comfortable with either one, because I don't know Van Turner and because I do know Jay Bailey. OK, wait, that's not really right or fair, either. I know their SUPPORTERS, and these two men right now are largely defined by their supporters, which, in a way, is the problem.

We are at a very critical time for the Shelby County Democratic Party, who, despite having a demographic dominance due to its urban nature, is extremely disorganized, which hurts not only Shelby County but all of West Tennessee. A strong SCDP can go beyond its borders to shore up parties in our neighboring counties with manpower and money. We aren't even close to that now, we are always one step away from the poorhouse, and it's ridiculous.

If I had to vote right now, it would be for None of the Above, because I have no real confidence in Jay Bailey and I haven't the faintest clue who Van Turner is. THAT'S what I've been screaming like a banshee about, give me a reason to believe.

We cannot afford another two years of aimless drift, because it doesn't just hurt us, it hurts everyone around us. Right now, unless I know more about Turner, I can't recommend him. I have been on the verge of calling for Gale Jones Carson or David Cocke to come back and take the reins and right the ship. I've worked with them, I know them, I TRUST THEM.

Maybe Van Turner's that kind of guy. Maybe he isn't. What I DO know is that the only case his supporters have made on his behalf is that he's not in the pocket of Upton or Chism. Hell, at least they have records you can follow. This is what I mean about being defined by your supporters.

I know there are people who have valid reasons to support Van, but they are not ready to make those reasons public. I understand, and that is perfectly fine. It's not really your

responsibility, anyway, it's HIS.

We need a strong leader right now, someone who can inspire people to go work for this Party and its principles. Please give us a reason to believe that the only two choices that we apparently have are not poor ones.

Make me believe.