Out of the Blue

I received this morning in my inbox a new email newsletter from Mike McWherter titled Out of the Blue. It will become, over the coming weeks and months, a morning update of what is going on in Tennessee, especially from a non-conservative point of view.  Here's Mike:

So many candidates walk away and "fold the tent" following their races.  I want to remain an active Democrat and do everything I possibly can to promote the values our party.  Due to the recent illness of my father, Governor Ned McWherter, we were forced to delay this venture, but now we are moving forward.  Let me assure you, this is not an attempt to usurp any efforts by our leadership, but merely to help enhance communication efforts.  United we can stand and develop an environment in our state which serves everyone, not just a privileged few.

Good start.  Oh, and he won't be doing this alone by a long shot; he hired someone really Sharp to put this together.  As in our dear friend, Trace Sharp, who will be the managing editor of this enterprise.  If you want to sign up to have this in your inbox every morning, go to bluetn.com and add your email address to the list.

It will be more than worth your time, and I think this is a great thing Mike and Trace are doing, because Democrats around the state are reeling right now, and this will inform us and keep us fired up for the task ahead.

Kennedy Day report

After having second (and THIRD) thoughts, I ponied up the $150 for the SCDP's annual Kennedy Day fundraiser, which was inexplicably not held in 2007. I wound up being glad that I went.

My congressman was there with his guests, and I sat at one of the tables of my county commissioner, Steve Mulroy. I saw lots of old friends and cohorts from various campaigns, and got to reintroduce myself to Bob Tuke, who is one of the two Democrats running for the Senate. I am supporting Bob; you'll hear more about that later.

(Side note: Chris Lugo, you should have stayed in the Democratic primary. You still probably would not have won, but you would have moved the Democratic debate even further to the left. Now, as a Green, you'll get your 1% and be otherwise ignored, which is a shame, but I digress.)

Jim Cooper gave a nice solid speech explaining why he supports Obama, and why we MUST come together in the fall, as the TDP needs us to come up BIG in November. I agree; tell Barack to make sure that they send money down here for the coordinated campaign! No, it's not the stemwinders we have come to expect down here, but, for a guy from Nashville, he did right fine.

Folks, here's the most important thing I can tell you about last night, more than the money that was raised, more than the renewal of friendships, more than anything: WE ARE UNITED IN SHELBY COUNTY. All that old crap is OVER, and for good, I believe. It's been a long time since I could say that, and I am delighted with this turn of events. I have no doubt that we are going to have a record turnout in November, and even August, as we will hopefully renominate our Congressman, and elect Cheyenne Johnson Assessor, and Paul Mattila as Trustee. Maybe even Otis Jackson as General Sessions Court Clerk, as my Congressman sure wants him to win.

Today, at the request of David Upton, I joined other Democrats, including elected officials like my Senator, Beverly Marrero, Commissioner Mulroy, Rep. Barbara Cooper, Shep Wilbun, Democratic National Committeewoman (and TDP Secretary) Gale Jones Carson, as well as activists Howard Richardson and Reginald Milton in meeting with Bob Tuke. Bob, in my opinion, has the strength and background to be a great Senate candidate, and I have watched him as he was a powerful State Party Chair, and he understands the issues and knows what it will take to unseat LAMAR! Alexander.

It's going to be a great campaign!

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