As the TNGOP prepares to install new constitutional officers (we warned you this would happen if TN Dems didn't come out in November!) and high profile GOP candidates hit the ground running for Governor in 2010, TNDP chair candidate Chip Forrester calls on Tennessee Democrats to unite and start rebuilding the party.

His most recent communication to Executive Committee members after the jump...

January 12, 2009
Dear State Democratic Executive Committee Member:

In keeping with my pledge to you of an open, inclusive Democratic Party, I want to update you on my campaign for Chair.

The responses I have received from the members of the Executive Committee have continued to be tremendous. Support continues to grow; I now have 46 members who have committed to support me for Chair. I’ve included some of the comments I have received over the past few weeks.

There is clearly a strong desire to change how our party functions, to make it more inclusive, to open up the process, to encourage greater participation in the Party. It’s clear that the Executive Committee believes we need to re-build our party from the grassroots up. You can hear that in the messages I have enclosed.

From the very beginning, my goal in running for Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party Chair has been to unite, not divide us. I fully realize we must all work together to win back the House in two years and elect another Democratic governor to continue the work begun by Phil Bredesen and Ned McWherter on better schools, more affordable and accessible health care, and better jobs for Tennessee workers.

When I first decided to run for Chair, I began to reach out to a number of people who I believed could help re-build our party. Charles Robert Bone was one who I had asked to consider running for Treasurer, the position I was vacating.

If you honor me by electing me as your Chair on January 24th, one of the first things I will do is to reach out to my opponent and ask him to use his skill to co-chair our fundraising efforts. Or if he should change his mind before then and decide to serve our Party as Treasurer, I will gladly support him.

The second thing I will do is to meet with all the members of the Congressional delegation, the Governor, and those former chairs who have supported my opponent to ask them to participate in re-building our Party.

This race is not about Chip Forrester and Charles Robert Bone. This race is about changing the direction of the Democratic Party in Tennessee. And to do that, we must all work together.

Here’s what some Executive Committee Members have to say about Chip Forrester...

"I received your letter yesterday and thought it was excellent. I have pledged my support to you because I have witnessed, firsthand, your dedication and commitment to our TDP and to our mutual goals of electing Democrats at all levels.

I am quite sure it is my misfortune ... but I don't recall ever having met Charles Robert Bone. Now, I have been a state officer of the Democratic Women for eleven years ... very active statewide for that many years ... and active in state campaigns even before that. So, I can only wonder why I haven't met Mr. Bone before.

And, then too, I cannot imagine wanting to enter an organization at the "top". It is my humble opinion that one can only effectively lead an organization after they have served in lesser offices/positions and learned how the organization runs from the inside out."

Vicky Harwell, President, Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women

"Over the Christmas and New Years break, I have given serious thought to this letter and it's expression that "It is essential for our next party chair to be a strong leader with a demonstrated record of success ... someone with proven fundraising ability and a plan to re-take the legislature… Sounds like the writer meant you."

Weldon Markham, District 10, Chattanooga

"I take this occasion to commend you for your letter of December 27 in response to the earlier letter from Governor Bredesen and others. You were candid, informative, and clear in reaffirming your reasons for seeking the party chair position. You did all this in a respectful, tactful manner to all…My continued best wishes for a successful campaign,

Dan Lawson, District 8, Maryville

"The Tennessee Democrat Party is in a rebuilding phase and we need a leader who understands the challenges that lie ahead. I believe that person is Chip Forrester. Chip Forrester understands that political parties are built – and rebuilt – from the ground up not the top down. He knows that to be successful we all have to contribute. Chip has the enthusiasm and experience to organize at the grass roots level and to bring new people into the Party. I have been impressed by his dedication and his willingness to reach out to the Executive Committee and Democratic leaders at all levels. I believe that all who have had the opportunity to exchange ideas with Chip realize that his desire to serve the Party in the capacity of Chairman really is a quest of service and not personal ambition.

I know that many of those, who - like me - early on pledged our support to Chip, are now facing pressure from the “powers that be” to withdraw that support. I have not met Mr. Bone nor have I had the opportunity to personally speak with him. I’m sure he is a fine man and I respect those who have expressed support for him. However, a lot of time, all you have in this world is your word and I can assure you – when given, my word is good.” Thus, although it might be political “smart” or personally “beneficial” for me to change course, I cannot and will not be persuaded to withdraw my support for Chip Forrester, who I know will be an excellent Chairman."

Leslie Byrd, District 31, Cordova

"I have told many that asked me (and some that didn't) that you are clearly the only choice for chair with a clear understanding of what must be done to elect Democrats in the state of Tennessee. … I am proud to stand firm to see that you are the new chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party."

Keith Jackson, District 22, Clarksville

"I am having trouble deciding how to keep this letter short and sweet. I am tired of being a rubber stamp. I truly believe that you are what our party needs right now. We have to start over from the ground up. I have been on the Committee for almost 20 years and I experience less and less respect as a committeewoman.

I wanted to keep this short but here I go. All that I need to say is "PUT MY NAME IN CAPS AND UNDERLINE IT"

Diane Davis, District 26, Counce

State Democratic Executive Committee Members in Support of Forrester for Chair
House Democratic Caucus Chair Mike Turner (Ex-Officio), Vicky Harwell, TFDW President (Ex-Officio), Leah Kirk, College Democrats (Ex-Officio), Tom Jesse District 3, Bruce Seal District 4, Harold Woods District 6, Bill Owen District 7, Dan Lawson District 8, Jimmy Bilbo District 9, Weldon Markham District 10, Terry Lee District 11, Fred Hobbs District 13, John Wiseman District 16, Bill Bassett District 18, Jerry Maynard District 19, Chip Forrester District 20, Keith Jackson District 22, Jon Faill District 23, Robert Patterson District 24, J.W. Hampton District 25, Mike Kiddy District 26, J.M. Bailey District 28, Henry Hooper District 29, David Upton District 30, Pam Harris District 3, Sylvia Woods District 6, Barbara Wagner District 8, Sandra Perkinson District 9, Charlene Kilpatrick District 10, Mary Anglin District 11, Brenda Ables District 13, Geeta McMillan District 15, Karen Garner District 16, Inez Crutchfield District 19, Martha Brooke Perry District 22, Elisa Parker TDP Vice Chair & District 23, Martha Shepard District 22, Diane Davis District 26, Patsy Johnson District 27, Joyce Adams District 29, Hazel Longstreet District 30, Leslie Byrd District 31