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Tuesday, March 10, 2015
And now, a word from our State Chair, Mary Mancini
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Drinking Liberally Memphis is under new leadership, and I am happy about it!
Drinking Liberally Memphis faded away for a while because the hosts, of which I was one, got tired of doing it and couldn't attract younger, newer people, so we gave it up.
Fortunately, Liz Rincon, Allan Creasy and Trenton Woodley have revived DL, which now meets at Celtic Crossing at Cooper & Oliver on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of very month beginning at 5 PM.
In addition, Mondays at Celtic are Pint Night, and the 5 PM time coincides with Happy Hour!
In addition, Allan, who is also a bartender at Celtic, donates tips received during that time to a local nonprofit so that they can give back to our community, which is a win-win for everyone.
For more information, the DL-Memphis Facebook page can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drinking-Liberally-Memphis/672725372837484?fref=nf
The next DL gathering is Monday, March 9 at 5 PM at Celtic Crossing at Cooper & Oliver in the heart of Cooper-Young, come on out!
Fortunately, Liz Rincon, Allan Creasy and Trenton Woodley have revived DL, which now meets at Celtic Crossing at Cooper & Oliver on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of very month beginning at 5 PM.
In addition, Mondays at Celtic are Pint Night, and the 5 PM time coincides with Happy Hour!
In addition, Allan, who is also a bartender at Celtic, donates tips received during that time to a local nonprofit so that they can give back to our community, which is a win-win for everyone.
For more information, the DL-Memphis Facebook page can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drinking-Liberally-Memphis/672725372837484?fref=nf
The next DL gathering is Monday, March 9 at 5 PM at Celtic Crossing at Cooper & Oliver in the heart of Cooper-Young, come on out!
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
DWSC Political Forum This Sunday!
Political Forum
Featuring candidates running for
Chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party
Guest moderator: Les Smith, FOX 13 Reporter
Sunday, March 1
4-6 p.m.
IBEW Union Hall
1870 Madison Ave.
Everyone is invited.
to get your name on the program.
www.dwosc.org Join us on FB
Sunday, February 22, 2015
A sad day ends as it had to end.
As you are now aware, Bryan Carson resigned as Chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party in yesterday's specially called meeting of the Executive Committee.
This had been building for some time, as the EC (on which I serve from House 90) could not get timely written treasurer's reports from the Chair. At the February regular meeting (which I could not attend due to recovery from my surgery), the EC voted to have an audit of the Party's books, and requested Diane Cambron and Dick Klenz to conduct that audit. This was also in light of the fact that the Chair had not filed timely disclosures with the state Registry of Election Finance, which has caused the Party to incur fines.
Unbeknownst to the EC, the results of the audit had triggered a private meeting of the Steering Committee last Sunday, at which time the Chair was asked to provide documentation for over 60 cash withdrawals from an ATM card from the Party's bank account. These took place in a period from September 1 through February 2. He was given until Wednesday of this past week to produce them, when the Steering Committee would meet again, in an undisclosed location. The EC was told that this meeting would occur, but that any comments would have to wait until after the meeting.
Personal note: I understand why this was closed, and then 1st Vice Chair, now Chair Dave Cambron said that they were advised by the TNDP to close those meetings, as well as the meeting yesterday. I still do not agree with that decision, we are a public body and we have to let the chips fall where they may. I digress.
After the Wednesday Steering Committee meeting, the EC was notified by Rose Ann Bradley, our peerless secretary, that the SC had given Chair Carson a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE, and it was UNANIMOUS. As only the EC can vote to remove a member or an officer, that was as much as could be done at that time. What none of us on the EC knew was WHY.
What we learned from the audit was the aforementioned cash withdrawals, that Jonathan Lewis, whom we had approved to serve as the Party Treasurer months earlier, had reviewed the books and refused to accept the position. Worse, Bryan had, without informing the EC, served as his own treasurer, which is not in accordance with campaign finance laws.
I have worked in politics since 1978. EVERY donation or expenditure by a campaign or a party must be documented beyond a certain level. If at all possible, you avoid paying any bills in cash. If your vendor insists on receiving cash, you have to demand an detailed invoice as to what services were received for this transaction. Without any documentation, Carson had no way to support his claims that all of these withdrawals from the Party account were to pay for Party business.
Because he couldn't provide documentation, he couldn't fill out disclosures, and the downward spiral escalated at warp speed.
I don't know what happened, and neither do you. We can all speculate at the end of the day, but we don't know. When your actions raise questions that cannot be answered, you cannot remain in your position.
When Carson asked for a show of hands to see who wanted him to resign, there was a backlash from many of the members. Nate Jackson, who serves on the Steering Committee, and who has known Bryan since Bryan was a child, nearly broke down as he explained to the EC (in particular, members who inexplicably didn't seem to be disturbed by these findings) that the story was in the bank statements, and implored Bryan to resign. Nate pointed out that had Bryan resigned at the Steering Committee meeting the prior Wednesday, the Saturday meeting would not have had to take place.
Personal note: I have worked on Party matters with Nate Jackson for over 20 years. I trust him implicitly, he cuts through bullshit like a knife through soft butter. I could not have been prouder of him for saying what he said.
Next, Virgie Banks (also President of the Democratic Women of Shelby County) spoke and told Bryan that any decision was up to HIM, not the committee. She told him that he knew in his heart what he needed to do, and he should do it. She told him to man up at one point.
Terrance Turnage, while a newcomer to the EC, has been around for a while, agreed that Bryan had to make the decision, while chastising other members of the EC (with justification, I will add) that some of them had done little or nothing for the Party while suddenly becoming interested when this situation happened.
While Carson wanted to turn over operational control of the Party to Dave Cambron, including the March 5 meeting and the two re-organizational meetings on March 14 and 28, he did not want to resign his position. Presumably, he apparently believed that would allow him viability for a proposed race for City Council District 7 this fall.
Then, my friend, my County Commissioner, and fellow EC member Reginald Milton spoke and disabused him of that notion. He was forceful yet gentle, and got to the point.
After that, Carson said he had heard enough and said, simply, "I resign".
To be blunt, because of the requirements of the removal process, it would have required 46 votes to remove him and there weren't 46 members there, sadly, so he could not have been removed if he had refused to resign. However, if he had said he would not resign, I would have made a motion that the Steering Committee take the information to the DAG office to press charges. I would have cried while doing it, but I was prepared to do so.
UPDATE with CORRECTION: I received the following message from Rose Bradley which I want to share: As verified with the State, our present number is 56 (we cannot count vacancies in a vote) so a quorum of two-thirds would be 37 which we surpassed at the meeting. After the calling of the roll several members continued to come in making the 46 that Del keeps thinking that we needed (and we don’t count non-voting members such as ex-officio like he thinks). The total necessary voting members were there prior to the vote that we didn’t have to have.
Thankfully, Bryan did the right thing and resigned. If he had been allowed to walk out of that meeting as Chair, even nominally, it would have sent a message to the public that the Shelby County Democratic Party had no institutional self-control and could not regain it. No current or future donor would even think about contributing to a party that could not guarantee that their donations would be used as intended. Bryan saved us from that by resigning, but, to be truthful, he could have done it sooner.
I am sad about this situation, as I like Bryan personally, but this is not personal, it's business. I feel for his mother, my friend, and force of nature, Gale Jones Carson, who served as Chair from 2001-2003. I served under her on the EC and she would never have tolerated this. While we didn't see eye to eye, when it came to finances, she dotted every I and crossed every T and was always on time with disclosures. This has to hurt and I feel for their family.
Bryan has said he will make full restitution, but the investigation by the Party continues.
It is clear from this situation that we need new people to get involved. There are good veterans who should continue, but we need new people. This is why I am going to ask you to come to First Baptist Church-Broad on Saturday, March 14 and join us for our Ward & Precinct Caucuses. Registration is from 9 Am-10:30 AM, at which time the doors will be locked. We need you if you are a Democrat, we need all hands on deck, no matter where you live, Arlington or Westwood, Collierville or Lucy, and all points in between. You won't be sorry you did.
This had been building for some time, as the EC (on which I serve from House 90) could not get timely written treasurer's reports from the Chair. At the February regular meeting (which I could not attend due to recovery from my surgery), the EC voted to have an audit of the Party's books, and requested Diane Cambron and Dick Klenz to conduct that audit. This was also in light of the fact that the Chair had not filed timely disclosures with the state Registry of Election Finance, which has caused the Party to incur fines.
Unbeknownst to the EC, the results of the audit had triggered a private meeting of the Steering Committee last Sunday, at which time the Chair was asked to provide documentation for over 60 cash withdrawals from an ATM card from the Party's bank account. These took place in a period from September 1 through February 2. He was given until Wednesday of this past week to produce them, when the Steering Committee would meet again, in an undisclosed location. The EC was told that this meeting would occur, but that any comments would have to wait until after the meeting.
Personal note: I understand why this was closed, and then 1st Vice Chair, now Chair Dave Cambron said that they were advised by the TNDP to close those meetings, as well as the meeting yesterday. I still do not agree with that decision, we are a public body and we have to let the chips fall where they may. I digress.
After the Wednesday Steering Committee meeting, the EC was notified by Rose Ann Bradley, our peerless secretary, that the SC had given Chair Carson a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE, and it was UNANIMOUS. As only the EC can vote to remove a member or an officer, that was as much as could be done at that time. What none of us on the EC knew was WHY.
What we learned from the audit was the aforementioned cash withdrawals, that Jonathan Lewis, whom we had approved to serve as the Party Treasurer months earlier, had reviewed the books and refused to accept the position. Worse, Bryan had, without informing the EC, served as his own treasurer, which is not in accordance with campaign finance laws.
I have worked in politics since 1978. EVERY donation or expenditure by a campaign or a party must be documented beyond a certain level. If at all possible, you avoid paying any bills in cash. If your vendor insists on receiving cash, you have to demand an detailed invoice as to what services were received for this transaction. Without any documentation, Carson had no way to support his claims that all of these withdrawals from the Party account were to pay for Party business.
Because he couldn't provide documentation, he couldn't fill out disclosures, and the downward spiral escalated at warp speed.
I don't know what happened, and neither do you. We can all speculate at the end of the day, but we don't know. When your actions raise questions that cannot be answered, you cannot remain in your position.
When Carson asked for a show of hands to see who wanted him to resign, there was a backlash from many of the members. Nate Jackson, who serves on the Steering Committee, and who has known Bryan since Bryan was a child, nearly broke down as he explained to the EC (in particular, members who inexplicably didn't seem to be disturbed by these findings) that the story was in the bank statements, and implored Bryan to resign. Nate pointed out that had Bryan resigned at the Steering Committee meeting the prior Wednesday, the Saturday meeting would not have had to take place.
Personal note: I have worked on Party matters with Nate Jackson for over 20 years. I trust him implicitly, he cuts through bullshit like a knife through soft butter. I could not have been prouder of him for saying what he said.
Next, Virgie Banks (also President of the Democratic Women of Shelby County) spoke and told Bryan that any decision was up to HIM, not the committee. She told him that he knew in his heart what he needed to do, and he should do it. She told him to man up at one point.
Terrance Turnage, while a newcomer to the EC, has been around for a while, agreed that Bryan had to make the decision, while chastising other members of the EC (with justification, I will add) that some of them had done little or nothing for the Party while suddenly becoming interested when this situation happened.
While Carson wanted to turn over operational control of the Party to Dave Cambron, including the March 5 meeting and the two re-organizational meetings on March 14 and 28, he did not want to resign his position. Presumably, he apparently believed that would allow him viability for a proposed race for City Council District 7 this fall.
Then, my friend, my County Commissioner, and fellow EC member Reginald Milton spoke and disabused him of that notion. He was forceful yet gentle, and got to the point.
After that, Carson said he had heard enough and said, simply, "I resign".
To be blunt, because of the requirements of the removal process, it would have required 46 votes to remove him and there weren't 46 members there, sadly, so he could not have been removed if he had refused to resign. However, if he had said he would not resign, I would have made a motion that the Steering Committee take the information to the DAG office to press charges. I would have cried while doing it, but I was prepared to do so.
UPDATE with CORRECTION: I received the following message from Rose Bradley which I want to share: As verified with the State, our present number is 56 (we cannot count vacancies in a vote) so a quorum of two-thirds would be 37 which we surpassed at the meeting. After the calling of the roll several members continued to come in making the 46 that Del keeps thinking that we needed (and we don’t count non-voting members such as ex-officio like he thinks). The total necessary voting members were there prior to the vote that we didn’t have to have.
Thankfully, Bryan did the right thing and resigned. If he had been allowed to walk out of that meeting as Chair, even nominally, it would have sent a message to the public that the Shelby County Democratic Party had no institutional self-control and could not regain it. No current or future donor would even think about contributing to a party that could not guarantee that their donations would be used as intended. Bryan saved us from that by resigning, but, to be truthful, he could have done it sooner.
I am sad about this situation, as I like Bryan personally, but this is not personal, it's business. I feel for his mother, my friend, and force of nature, Gale Jones Carson, who served as Chair from 2001-2003. I served under her on the EC and she would never have tolerated this. While we didn't see eye to eye, when it came to finances, she dotted every I and crossed every T and was always on time with disclosures. This has to hurt and I feel for their family.
Bryan has said he will make full restitution, but the investigation by the Party continues.
It is clear from this situation that we need new people to get involved. There are good veterans who should continue, but we need new people. This is why I am going to ask you to come to First Baptist Church-Broad on Saturday, March 14 and join us for our Ward & Precinct Caucuses. Registration is from 9 Am-10:30 AM, at which time the doors will be locked. We need you if you are a Democrat, we need all hands on deck, no matter where you live, Arlington or Westwood, Collierville or Lucy, and all points in between. You won't be sorry you did.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
An update, and a remembrance.
First, for those who thought I may have dropped off the face of the earth, I tore my left quadriceps tendon in my left knee when leaving the SCDP meeting on January 7, thanks again to all my SCDP brothers and sisters who stayed with me in the single-digit weather until the ambulance came.
Even with all of this, I did not stay any nights in the hospital, had outpatient surgery done almost two weeks ago, and, if all goes according to plan, will go back to work this Tuesday. It has been difficult for me to get to the computer, so I haven't written or emailed. I thought I would send this update to let you know I am down, but not out.
Last night, on Facebook, I was stunned to learn of the passing of one of the finest human beings I ever knew, Wanda Wilson, former owner of the legendary P&H Cafe, and it was she who made it that way. For a generation of young Midtowners, she was a voice of encouragement and love, with a dose of straight talk when she thought you needed it, which we usually did. I hadn't seen her since she sold the P&H, so I was caught by surprise to learn of her passing.
Please remember her and her vast legions of friends in your thoughts and prayers today, as she was truly unlike any one else, and she leaves a massive void in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know Wanda.
Even with all of this, I did not stay any nights in the hospital, had outpatient surgery done almost two weeks ago, and, if all goes according to plan, will go back to work this Tuesday. It has been difficult for me to get to the computer, so I haven't written or emailed. I thought I would send this update to let you know I am down, but not out.
Last night, on Facebook, I was stunned to learn of the passing of one of the finest human beings I ever knew, Wanda Wilson, former owner of the legendary P&H Cafe, and it was she who made it that way. For a generation of young Midtowners, she was a voice of encouragement and love, with a dose of straight talk when she thought you needed it, which we usually did. I hadn't seen her since she sold the P&H, so I was caught by surprise to learn of her passing.
Please remember her and her vast legions of friends in your thoughts and prayers today, as she was truly unlike any one else, and she leaves a massive void in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know Wanda.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Shelby County Legislators to Hold Community Meeting on December 29 at IBEW
Shelby County Democratic
Legislative Caucus
Legislative Caucus
Legislative Plaza | Nashville TN 37243 | 615.741.2134
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zak Kelley
Shelby County Legislators to Hold Community Meeting
Will focus on increasing citizen engagement
Will focus on increasing citizen engagement
Memphis, TN: The Shelby County Democratic Legislative Caucus announced today that they will hold a Community Information Session on Monday, December 29th 12:00pm at the IBEW building 1870 Madison Avenue.
“This meeting is our attempt to engage people in the legislative process,” said district 86 State Representative Barbara Cooper, chair of the SCDLC. “We have another session starting next month in Nashville. We’ll be working on Medicaid expansion, voting rights and more jobs for our people. Our community needs to be engaged in this process and we’re hopeful this meeting can help us toward that goal.”
The SCDLC is comprised of the Democratic legislators who represent Memphis in the Tennessee General Assembly. They include Sen. Lee Harris, Sen. Sara Kyle & Sen. Reginald Tate, as well as Rep. Barbara Cooper, Rep. Raumesh Akbari, Rep. Karen Camper, Rep. John DeBerry, Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Rep. Larry Miller, Rep. Antonio Parkinson, Rep. Joe Towns & Rep. Johnnie Turner. All are scheduled to be in attendance.
“For us to be effective in Nashville, we need the community rallied behind our goals. This is the first of many meetings and I look forward to seeing our constituents after the holiday,” said Cooper.
“This meeting is our attempt to engage people in the legislative process,” said district 86 State Representative Barbara Cooper, chair of the SCDLC. “We have another session starting next month in Nashville. We’ll be working on Medicaid expansion, voting rights and more jobs for our people. Our community needs to be engaged in this process and we’re hopeful this meeting can help us toward that goal.”
The SCDLC is comprised of the Democratic legislators who represent Memphis in the Tennessee General Assembly. They include Sen. Lee Harris, Sen. Sara Kyle & Sen. Reginald Tate, as well as Rep. Barbara Cooper, Rep. Raumesh Akbari, Rep. Karen Camper, Rep. John DeBerry, Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Rep. Larry Miller, Rep. Antonio Parkinson, Rep. Joe Towns & Rep. Johnnie Turner. All are scheduled to be in attendance.
“For us to be effective in Nashville, we need the community rallied behind our goals. This is the first of many meetings and I look forward to seeing our constituents after the holiday,” said Cooper.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Time to show your hand, gentlemen
Well, as we all know now, last week, during the City Council meeting, Mayor Wharton dropped the bomb that he had privately negotiated a settlement to the $57 Million that the City has apparently owed MCS/SCS for maintenance of effort.
As members of the Council, particularly Shea Flinn, had been involved in mediation discussions with SCS that had been under a confidentiality agreement, this did not sit well with the Council at all. Flinn and Kemp Conrad reminded the Mayor that the Council still had to approve funding for this settlement and indicated that their approval was not likely to occur.
I understand that; they believe that the City has a legitimate counterclaim that would more than offset the $57 million. However, if I may say so, they have done a poor job of making their case to the public, and this has allowed Wharton, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson and the SCS Board to make them look like pikers who are stealing from the schoolchildren of the County.
When I have asked about this, I am told that this is under a confidentiality agreement and they can't really talk about it. Gentlemen, it's too late for that now; clearly Hopson and the Board have not held to that agreement in settling directly with the Mayor. There is now no reason for you to do so either.
In poker terms, Mayor Wharton has just gone all in and he wants to see if you will fade him or fold your cards. Certainly, you can vote to not fund that settlement. However, you will be made to look like the "designated a-holes" of the County, as Councilor Flinn put it on Drake & Zeke's WXMX-FM morning show last Wednesday. You may be happy with that; as someone who believes you may well have a point with your counterclaim, I am not.
It's time to put up or shut up here. The confidentiality agreement is in tatters and this has gone from a private negotiation to a political matter, and the politics of this situation REQUIRE that you make your case to the citizenry of the City. This is no longer about business; people are TIRED that this negotiation has drug out for years. It is time for resolution, and that is why you have to take your case to the public.
Gentlemen, if you refuse to make your case to the public, people are going to come to the conclusion that you really don't have one. That is not good for any of the parties involved.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
As members of the Council, particularly Shea Flinn, had been involved in mediation discussions with SCS that had been under a confidentiality agreement, this did not sit well with the Council at all. Flinn and Kemp Conrad reminded the Mayor that the Council still had to approve funding for this settlement and indicated that their approval was not likely to occur.
I understand that; they believe that the City has a legitimate counterclaim that would more than offset the $57 million. However, if I may say so, they have done a poor job of making their case to the public, and this has allowed Wharton, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson and the SCS Board to make them look like pikers who are stealing from the schoolchildren of the County.
When I have asked about this, I am told that this is under a confidentiality agreement and they can't really talk about it. Gentlemen, it's too late for that now; clearly Hopson and the Board have not held to that agreement in settling directly with the Mayor. There is now no reason for you to do so either.
In poker terms, Mayor Wharton has just gone all in and he wants to see if you will fade him or fold your cards. Certainly, you can vote to not fund that settlement. However, you will be made to look like the "designated a-holes" of the County, as Councilor Flinn put it on Drake & Zeke's WXMX-FM morning show last Wednesday. You may be happy with that; as someone who believes you may well have a point with your counterclaim, I am not.
It's time to put up or shut up here. The confidentiality agreement is in tatters and this has gone from a private negotiation to a political matter, and the politics of this situation REQUIRE that you make your case to the citizenry of the City. This is no longer about business; people are TIRED that this negotiation has drug out for years. It is time for resolution, and that is why you have to take your case to the public.
Gentlemen, if you refuse to make your case to the public, people are going to come to the conclusion that you really don't have one. That is not good for any of the parties involved.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Southern Democrats: Down, Not Dead
That's the title of the Viewpoint piece that I wrote for the Flyer this week, which you can find right here. Thanks to Jackson Baker for allowing me to write this column about where we are and where we need to go from here.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Yes, that's a 2015 Memphis Mayor's poll
And, of course, it's unscientific as possible, but it will also be fun!
If you vote for NONE of the Above, please list in comments whom you would support or write in, please!
If you vote for NONE of the Above, please list in comments whom you would support or write in, please!
Monday, November 17, 2014
Vibinc takes it to the next level
Steve Ross presents the first episode of THE STEVE ROSS SHOW at Vibinc. His first guest is law professor and former County Commissioner Steve Mulroy, go watch it!!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Eleven months to ANOTHER election!
As Jackson Baker and Kyle Veazey have noted, The 2014 state & Federal elections had not finished, yet the 2015 city elections appeared to be starting, even though the filing deadline is not until next July.
Mayor Wharton sent out an email earlier this week to his supporters that he was in it to win it, but Veazey noted he only had about 115K in his campaign account. One would think he could raise more quickly, since that would indicate the business community is behind him. Jim Strickland has been telling anyone who will listen that he is running for re-election to his Council District 5 seat, to which I expect he would have only token opposition.
Funny thing though. Veazey tweeted a response from Strickland to Wharton's letter, which can be seen here. Considering that most of the MPD rank and file is furious with him for Strickland's involvement in the reduction of benefits to retirees, this is really interesting. I have to believe that even if the municipal unions put up a challenger to Jim, he would be VERY difficult to beat in that district. I also see no reason to disbelieve him when he says he is not challenging Wharton.
About challenging Wharton.....
So far, the names mentioned have included City Councilor Harold Collins (Whitehaven), former County Commissioner James Harvey, former state representative and City Councilor Carol Chumney, and Memphis Police Association head Mike Williams. I have also heard, just not as often, that Reverend Kenneth Whalum might also get in the race.
If all of them get in, Mayor Wharton will walk away with it. Remember 1999, 2007, and even 2011, when all of the anti-Administration votes were split among several candidates? That will happen yet again if all, or as few as TWO others run against the mayor.
If Wharton is in and Strickland is not, the Mayor will have all the money he needs from the business community. He also has one of the two Democratic (yeah, I know, it's non-partisan, Meh.) organizations in this town that can produce victories, the other being that of Congressman Steve Cohen.
This is not to say Wharton doesn't have problems of his own. The working class members of the community (of ALL colors) are not thrilled with his stands against the municipal unions. To be truthful, in my opinion, if the business community DID bail on the Mayor, his base would suddenly shrink to his Heiskell Farms neighborhood and a few houses in Stonewall.
However, in order to beat him as it stands right now, you need a unified, organized campaign to defeat him behind ONE candidate and one candidate alone. Who is that candidate? Right now, we really don't know.
My suggestions is this: a backroom meeting among all of the candidates interested in becoming Mayor. The question to each of these candidates is this: Are you committed to running because you want to be Mayor or because you want to beat AC Wharton? If it's the former,and not the latter, then that is a problem. If every candidate looked at the others and said you need to get behind me, and they all ran, then Wharton cruises. If, however, you are all serious about changing the direction at City Hall, who could you support instead of yourself?
Only time will tell about this; like I said, it's a long time to July, but I would hope that this is sorted out before then. If it's not, then the Mayor CAN relax, not that he will.
In other news, as newly elected State Senator Lee Harris considers vacating his City Council seat, names are popping up to replace him in District 7. Former interim Councilor Berlin Boyd is out there, Eric Dunn has indicated interest in the seat, and SCDP Parliamentarian Thurston Smith is exploring a candidacy and meeting with potential supporters next week. That will be a very interesting race, to be sure.
So, I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments. Is Wharton a lock or a goner? What about the rest of the Council? Let me know!
Mayor Wharton sent out an email earlier this week to his supporters that he was in it to win it, but Veazey noted he only had about 115K in his campaign account. One would think he could raise more quickly, since that would indicate the business community is behind him. Jim Strickland has been telling anyone who will listen that he is running for re-election to his Council District 5 seat, to which I expect he would have only token opposition.
Funny thing though. Veazey tweeted a response from Strickland to Wharton's letter, which can be seen here. Considering that most of the MPD rank and file is furious with him for Strickland's involvement in the reduction of benefits to retirees, this is really interesting. I have to believe that even if the municipal unions put up a challenger to Jim, he would be VERY difficult to beat in that district. I also see no reason to disbelieve him when he says he is not challenging Wharton.
About challenging Wharton.....
So far, the names mentioned have included City Councilor Harold Collins (Whitehaven), former County Commissioner James Harvey, former state representative and City Councilor Carol Chumney, and Memphis Police Association head Mike Williams. I have also heard, just not as often, that Reverend Kenneth Whalum might also get in the race.
If all of them get in, Mayor Wharton will walk away with it. Remember 1999, 2007, and even 2011, when all of the anti-Administration votes were split among several candidates? That will happen yet again if all, or as few as TWO others run against the mayor.
If Wharton is in and Strickland is not, the Mayor will have all the money he needs from the business community. He also has one of the two Democratic (yeah, I know, it's non-partisan, Meh.) organizations in this town that can produce victories, the other being that of Congressman Steve Cohen.
This is not to say Wharton doesn't have problems of his own. The working class members of the community (of ALL colors) are not thrilled with his stands against the municipal unions. To be truthful, in my opinion, if the business community DID bail on the Mayor, his base would suddenly shrink to his Heiskell Farms neighborhood and a few houses in Stonewall.
However, in order to beat him as it stands right now, you need a unified, organized campaign to defeat him behind ONE candidate and one candidate alone. Who is that candidate? Right now, we really don't know.
My suggestions is this: a backroom meeting among all of the candidates interested in becoming Mayor. The question to each of these candidates is this: Are you committed to running because you want to be Mayor or because you want to beat AC Wharton? If it's the former,and not the latter, then that is a problem. If every candidate looked at the others and said you need to get behind me, and they all ran, then Wharton cruises. If, however, you are all serious about changing the direction at City Hall, who could you support instead of yourself?
Only time will tell about this; like I said, it's a long time to July, but I would hope that this is sorted out before then. If it's not, then the Mayor CAN relax, not that he will.
In other news, as newly elected State Senator Lee Harris considers vacating his City Council seat, names are popping up to replace him in District 7. Former interim Councilor Berlin Boyd is out there, Eric Dunn has indicated interest in the seat, and SCDP Parliamentarian Thurston Smith is exploring a candidacy and meeting with potential supporters next week. That will be a very interesting race, to be sure.
So, I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments. Is Wharton a lock or a goner? What about the rest of the Council? Let me know!
Monday, November 10, 2014
What the hell, it's been 10 years already??
Happy 10th Birthday to the Left Wing Cracker blog!
Ten years ago today, in the rage and aftermath of the re-election of the worst President this country has ever seen, I started writing, when blogging was all the rage.
This wasn't the first political blog here, you had The Pesky Fly on the left and Mike Hollihan on the right back then. I was inspired by SouthKnoxBubba, which disappeared and resurfaced as KnoxViews, which still inspires me today. While there aren't as many blogs as before, there are those, like Vibinc, that provide terrific information and opinion and inspire me to keep writing.
I look back at that first post and see how simple it was and how much energy it had. I also see that one of my first commenters is sadly, no longer with us. Things happen in a decade.
You were with us in great times, and the worst of all possible times. I appreciate you more than you know.
So, where do we go from here? Well, I hope to have something up by the end of the week on the massacre of last week, and something on the 2015 City Elections.
Thank you for coming this far with this blog, and I hope we can keep writing posts you want to read and share.
Steve
Ten years ago today, in the rage and aftermath of the re-election of the worst President this country has ever seen, I started writing, when blogging was all the rage.
This wasn't the first political blog here, you had The Pesky Fly on the left and Mike Hollihan on the right back then. I was inspired by SouthKnoxBubba, which disappeared and resurfaced as KnoxViews, which still inspires me today. While there aren't as many blogs as before, there are those, like Vibinc, that provide terrific information and opinion and inspire me to keep writing.
I look back at that first post and see how simple it was and how much energy it had. I also see that one of my first commenters is sadly, no longer with us. Things happen in a decade.
You were with us in great times, and the worst of all possible times. I appreciate you more than you know.
So, where do we go from here? Well, I hope to have something up by the end of the week on the massacre of last week, and something on the 2015 City Elections.
Thank you for coming this far with this blog, and I hope we can keep writing posts you want to read and share.
Steve
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
Was I right or wrong?
Let me put myself to the test from last night's predictions:
The Senate? Just as I called it, we lost the seats vacated by Charlotte Burks of Monterey and Lowe Finney, who is running for mayor of Jackson next year. Democrats have NO Senate seats east of Nashville and NONE outside Memphis and Nashville. Let's just move on.
But, what about the US Senate?
Oy. the only thing I got right was Grimes, who deserved what she got. We have a lot of work to do nationally, at the state level, and locally, which I will address in the next day or so. Gonna have to put that 2015 mayor's race post back a day or two, sorry, Kyle Veazey! :)
Locally, I see no seats changing hands, but House 96 will be far closer than anyone expected. Haslam will win, and so will Alexander, again with a much smaller margin than expected as the Carr/Tea Partiers skip the race.Oops. McManus won 62-38, but read Dwayne's comments below, I made a mistake on saying it was 2-1 in House 96, Haslam and Alexander won, the latter by 2-1 as well. I guess the TPers held their noses. Next?
The Amendments? 1 and 2 will FAIL, 3 and 4 will PASS, and the passing of 3 will be a tragedy for this state for the foreseeable future.They ALL passed, and while I can live with 2 and 4, the fact that Tennessee women voluntarily gave control of their reproductive functions to the General Assembly astounds and infuriates me. As for 3, the anti-Income Tax amendment? That's abominable. Can it get worse?
Predictions for the state House at the end of the night: 73 R, 26 D. The Senate will be awful, 28 R, 5 D with no Democratic seats outside Memphis or Nashville, rock bottom.Sadly, I almost hit the Exacta here, as the final totals for the state House are 74 R, 25 D. We lost Gloria Johnson in Knoxville and John Tidwell in New Johnsonville, but stunningly kept the seat formerly held by Charles Curtiss of Sparta, now held by Kevin Dunlap, representing Grundy, Warren and White Counties. David Shepherd of the Dickson area held his seat by 16 votes despite having SIX mailers against him hit on Election Day.
The Senate? Just as I called it, we lost the seats vacated by Charlotte Burks of Monterey and Lowe Finney, who is running for mayor of Jackson next year. Democrats have NO Senate seats east of Nashville and NONE outside Memphis and Nashville. Let's just move on.
The surprise of the night? When all those good Republicans in TN-04 who voted for Jim Tracy turn on Scott DesJarlais and vote in Lenda Sherrell, with the thought that they will come back with Tracy in 2 years and beat her. Of course, it will be a Presidential year and more difficult to do, but.....Translation: Whoever the GOP nominee is could make a sacrifice to Baal on the courthouse steps and these yahoos will vote for him. Lenda Sherrell ran a good race, but these decent God-fearing white folk will never vote for a Democrat again since they elected that, well, you know, as President.
But, what about the US Senate?
Nationally? I think we hold onto the US Senate, 51-49. Mark Pryor survives in Arkansas, Grimes loses in KY because she ran away from her President, Nunn wins in GA.
Oy. the only thing I got right was Grimes, who deserved what she got. We have a lot of work to do nationally, at the state level, and locally, which I will address in the next day or so. Gonna have to put that 2015 mayor's race post back a day or two, sorry, Kyle Veazey! :)
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Well, I'm probably wrong but...
Marek is up with interesting predictions, go check them out. The polls have just closed, so we will see in 2 hours or longer if I am right with my picks below or just full of shit as usual.
Locally, I see no seats changing hands, but House 96 will be far closer than anyone expected. Haslam will win, and so will Alexander, again with a much smaller margin than expected as the Carr/Tea Partiers skip the race.
The Amendments? 1 and 2 will FAIL, 3 and 4 will PASS, and the passing of 3 will be a tragedy for this state for the foreseeable future.
Predictions for the state House at the end of the night: 73 R, 26 D. The Senate will be awful, 28 R, 5 D with no Democratic seats outside Memphis or Nashville, rock bottom.
The surprise of the night? When all those good Republicans in TN-04 who voted for Jim Tracy turn on Scott DesJarlais and vote in Lenda Sherrell, with the thought that they will come back with Tracy in 2 years and beat her. Of course, it will be a Presidential year and more difficult to do, but.....
Nationally? I think we hold onto the US Senate, 51-49. Mark Pryor survives in Arkansas, Grimes loses in KY because she ran away from her President, Nunn wins in GA.
Well, we will see what happens; I am headed to THE WAREHOUSE for the re-election party for my Congressman, Steve Cohen.
Watch this space later in the week with my thoughts on the 2015 Mayor's race, which, if you haven't noticed, has already begun.
Locally, I see no seats changing hands, but House 96 will be far closer than anyone expected. Haslam will win, and so will Alexander, again with a much smaller margin than expected as the Carr/Tea Partiers skip the race.
The Amendments? 1 and 2 will FAIL, 3 and 4 will PASS, and the passing of 3 will be a tragedy for this state for the foreseeable future.
Predictions for the state House at the end of the night: 73 R, 26 D. The Senate will be awful, 28 R, 5 D with no Democratic seats outside Memphis or Nashville, rock bottom.
The surprise of the night? When all those good Republicans in TN-04 who voted for Jim Tracy turn on Scott DesJarlais and vote in Lenda Sherrell, with the thought that they will come back with Tracy in 2 years and beat her. Of course, it will be a Presidential year and more difficult to do, but.....
Nationally? I think we hold onto the US Senate, 51-49. Mark Pryor survives in Arkansas, Grimes loses in KY because she ran away from her President, Nunn wins in GA.
Well, we will see what happens; I am headed to THE WAREHOUSE for the re-election party for my Congressman, Steve Cohen.
Watch this space later in the week with my thoughts on the 2015 Mayor's race, which, if you haven't noticed, has already begun.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Taylor Berger and the New Memphis Democrats
Yes, he's back with more ideas, he wants people to re-energize and re-focus the SCDP.
The reaction to his initial post, which I sent to my email list and which was linked here, was sadly predictable. If you know Party people, you will know that some loudly cheered what Berger had to say, and some berated him for bailing on his CC5 race against Heidi Shafer, leaving us in the lurch.
Bryan Carson, like Van Turner before him, has spent his Chairmanship trying to juggle these two distinct groups and viewpoints, and both received undeserved criticism for not pulling it off to the extent we would have liked. Those two distinct viewpoints must come together and be worked out for a unified vision, or the GOP will own a majoity-minority County for years to come.
Taylor Berger, like him or not, seems to get that. I believe he wants a conversation, which we need.
If you are interested, join the New Memphis Democrats on Facebook and on Twitter, and send them an email at newmemdems@gmail.com to get involved.
We need the conversation to start as soon after November 4 as humanly possible.
Being in charge of the county is not about patronage, it's about governance and providing the best services possible.
Period.
The reaction to his initial post, which I sent to my email list and which was linked here, was sadly predictable. If you know Party people, you will know that some loudly cheered what Berger had to say, and some berated him for bailing on his CC5 race against Heidi Shafer, leaving us in the lurch.
Bryan Carson, like Van Turner before him, has spent his Chairmanship trying to juggle these two distinct groups and viewpoints, and both received undeserved criticism for not pulling it off to the extent we would have liked. Those two distinct viewpoints must come together and be worked out for a unified vision, or the GOP will own a majoity-minority County for years to come.
Taylor Berger, like him or not, seems to get that. I believe he wants a conversation, which we need.
If you are interested, join the New Memphis Democrats on Facebook and on Twitter, and send them an email at newmemdems@gmail.com to get involved.
We need the conversation to start as soon after November 4 as humanly possible.
Being in charge of the county is not about patronage, it's about governance and providing the best services possible.
Period.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
This is BLOCK PARTY FOR PEACE Weekend in Frayser
One of the ways State Rep. Antonio Parkinson works for his district is the annual Block Party For Peace, held at the Ed Rice Community Center on North Watkins in the heart of Frayser. There will be a Jobs Fair, a College Fair for students and a Health Fair for all comers. It's FREE, best of all, for more information, please visit their website!
The 2014
Presented By
Presented By
October 24-26, 2014
Ed Rice Community Center & Park
2907 Watkins
Memphis, TN 38127
Bigger, Better and Hotter than ever!Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!Please click on the logos below to visit their websites for great information.
Ed Rice Community Center & Park
2907 Watkins
Memphis, TN 38127
Bigger, Better and Hotter than ever!Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!Please click on the logos below to visit their websites for great information.
Come Join Me Saturday for the Celebrity Chef Cook-Off celebrating NATIONAL SEAFOOD MONTH
They even ASKED me to be a JUDGE. I LOVE Seafood, so come on out, this should be a lot of fun!
Saturday, October 18, 2014
So I haven't written for a while in the middle of campaign season
One, I have been sick as a damn dog for 3 weeks now, even at my family wedding in Illinois and at last week's social event of the season, the wedding of Steve Ross and Ellyn Daniel, and I can't hear out of my left ear and am on steroids and antibiotics at the moment.
That was pretty run-on, wasn't it?
My beloved Susan has taken good care of me and has not beaten me, so there is that. :)
We have suffered losses, with the passing of our beloved Zippy the cat, and we also mourn the greatest dog we never owned, Mabel Sharp-Sturgis, whose campaigns inspired us to vote for her for Governor in the 2010 Democratic primary. So, in this season where the leaves turn and fall, I suppose that is all sadly appropriate.
This morning, I got a tweetout from restauranteur and entrepreneur Taylor Berger with a link to his latest blogpost. As Trace likes to say, we need to start a conversation, and this post should do that. If you will, go read that post and comment over there, and then, if you so choose, comment here as well.
I hope that this wakes up some folks in the Democratic community here, because they need to wake up and understand why we're not winning County elections. It's not the fault of any one person, and it has been going on for a long time now, so there's no need to bash any one person for any of this.
Oh, and Early Voting has started. If you live in House 96, go vote for my friend Dwayne Thompson, who won't try to sell Cordova to the highest bidder as the incumbent, Steve McManus has done over the years.
NO on all state Amendments, One is self-explanatory, Two because I have come to the conclusion, as my Congressman has, that John Jay Hooker is right as usual, Three because we NEED an income tax for all the reasons they say we don't, and Four because I lived through TENNESSEE WALTZ, which you need to Google if you don't know what I am talking about.
Locally, vote YES on Wine In Grocery Stores. My wife was stunned when we went to Illinois and found that A) you could get wine, beer AND booze in a grocery store, B) that locally-owned liquor stores were THRIVING and C) that prices were lower that back here. Truth is, NO stores are going to close, that is just not true, we need to blow up our liquor laws and re-do them, especially regarding wholesalers, who have a racket here the Mafia would envy, with help from the churches.
One final thought: I saw where my Congressman received criticism from other Democrats because he asked people to vote for John Jay Hooker for Governor rather than Charlie Brown, our nominee-because-we-couldn't-find-a-real-candidate-to-run.
Really? One iconoclast endorsing another?? You're shocked? Give me a freaking break. Some of the same people who bitched about this HELPED Don Sundquist when John Jay was our REAL nominee in 1998. Go read Taylor Berger and then think about it.
Peace, love and vote Democrat (and for Hooker!),
Steve
That was pretty run-on, wasn't it?
My beloved Susan has taken good care of me and has not beaten me, so there is that. :)
We have suffered losses, with the passing of our beloved Zippy the cat, and we also mourn the greatest dog we never owned, Mabel Sharp-Sturgis, whose campaigns inspired us to vote for her for Governor in the 2010 Democratic primary. So, in this season where the leaves turn and fall, I suppose that is all sadly appropriate.
This morning, I got a tweetout from restauranteur and entrepreneur Taylor Berger with a link to his latest blogpost. As Trace likes to say, we need to start a conversation, and this post should do that. If you will, go read that post and comment over there, and then, if you so choose, comment here as well.
I hope that this wakes up some folks in the Democratic community here, because they need to wake up and understand why we're not winning County elections. It's not the fault of any one person, and it has been going on for a long time now, so there's no need to bash any one person for any of this.
Oh, and Early Voting has started. If you live in House 96, go vote for my friend Dwayne Thompson, who won't try to sell Cordova to the highest bidder as the incumbent, Steve McManus has done over the years.
NO on all state Amendments, One is self-explanatory, Two because I have come to the conclusion, as my Congressman has, that John Jay Hooker is right as usual, Three because we NEED an income tax for all the reasons they say we don't, and Four because I lived through TENNESSEE WALTZ, which you need to Google if you don't know what I am talking about.
Locally, vote YES on Wine In Grocery Stores. My wife was stunned when we went to Illinois and found that A) you could get wine, beer AND booze in a grocery store, B) that locally-owned liquor stores were THRIVING and C) that prices were lower that back here. Truth is, NO stores are going to close, that is just not true, we need to blow up our liquor laws and re-do them, especially regarding wholesalers, who have a racket here the Mafia would envy, with help from the churches.
One final thought: I saw where my Congressman received criticism from other Democrats because he asked people to vote for John Jay Hooker for Governor rather than Charlie Brown, our nominee-because-we-couldn't-find-a-real-candidate-to-run.
Really? One iconoclast endorsing another?? You're shocked? Give me a freaking break. Some of the same people who bitched about this HELPED Don Sundquist when John Jay was our REAL nominee in 1998. Go read Taylor Berger and then think about it.
Peace, love and vote Democrat (and for Hooker!),
Steve
Friday, September 26, 2014
Thank you, John Marek; your work is paying off
Most of you know John Marek as the man who rebuilt the College Democrats at the U of M and as the Campaign Manager for Congressman Steve Cohen in 2012 and this year.
Marek, a local attorney, is also on the new citizens law enforcement review board, and has made it his mission to require body cameras for local police officers to wear while on duty. He has pointed out that not only will it help defendants, it can also protect local officers who may have unjustly been accused of malfeasance.
Today, we learned in the CA that Marek's work has apparently convinced Mayor Wharton (Link here) to ask the consultant working for the city on obtaining dashcams for police cars to inquire about bodycams for officers. This is great news and would not have happened without Marek's tireless efforts, and I want to salute him.
He is temporarily on a job in Colorado, but when he comes home in November, congratulate him and buy him a beer for his efforts, I know I will.
Marek, a local attorney, is also on the new citizens law enforcement review board, and has made it his mission to require body cameras for local police officers to wear while on duty. He has pointed out that not only will it help defendants, it can also protect local officers who may have unjustly been accused of malfeasance.
Today, we learned in the CA that Marek's work has apparently convinced Mayor Wharton (Link here) to ask the consultant working for the city on obtaining dashcams for police cars to inquire about bodycams for officers. This is great news and would not have happened without Marek's tireless efforts, and I want to salute him.
He is temporarily on a job in Colorado, but when he comes home in November, congratulate him and buy him a beer for his efforts, I know I will.
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