Chip Forrester, candidate for Tennessee Democratic Party Chair, to Obama for America 2.0: "I know I will have the help of the executive committee, county parties and Democratic elected officeholders. But we need you too to make the changes that have to be made."

His letter outlines several steps he sees as needed to transform the Tennessee Democratic Party and be competitive in 2010. Read it after the jump...

I write to you today aware of the new energy you created statewide by volunteering for the ObamaTN campaign. Because of your decision to embrace the opportunities Obama made available through his unique campaign, you are a vital ingredient of our strategy to turn TN blue in 2010. Please know that the Tennessee Democratic Party is eager to transform itself in keeping with Obama's resolve to strengthen our communities.

The election for chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party is just 9 days away. I have a solid lead — 47 commitments with 37 needed to win. My support is strong and I am confident.

First, I’d like to invite you to attend the state Democratic executive committee meeting on Saturday, January 24 at 1:30pm in Nashville at the Legislative Plaza Room 16 to stand with me in support of my candidacy for chair.

Second, with my election as chair the real work begins and I need your help. You worked hard for the Obama campaign and I’m writing to ask you to get ready to “roll up your sleeves” again and help me with the task of rebuilding the Party from the ground up. I know some of you have already transformed into Community Organizer or Obama for America 2.0 groups and are still working. I have met with NCO, Nashville Community Organizers, several times and they are supporting me for Chair of our Party. I am certain that the folks on the Officer's Council of NCO will provide you with a strong recommendation for me.

Additionally, I am aware that not all of you and your group members come from a Democratic Party frame of mind. This reflects the brilliance and inclusion evident in the Obama campaign and subsequent OFA 2.0. Please know that the Democratic Party is one that strives to include all points of view while working to improve the lives of hard working Americans. With President-Elect Obama as our President I know this will be accomplished. I will do all I can to mirror President Obama's national endeavors here in Tennessee.

I know I will have the help of the executive committee, county parties and Democratic elected officeholders. But we need you too to make the changes that have to be made.

I want to examine every aspect of the Party, from its inner-workings to our message that defines us as Democrats. One of my first orders of business will be to convene a statewide Campaign Summit to conduct a thorough post-mortem of what we did right and what we did wrong in 2008 to ensure that our plan forward is based on the best, most insightful analysis possible. And I want you to be a part of that process. I want you to understand how your Party works, why and to discuss openly and honestly how we make the changes we must.

Once we figure this out then we will all go to work together with a carefully reasoned, detailed, practical plan to make these necessary changes to re-build the Party into the most powerful organization in our state to elect a Democratic governor and Take Back the House in 2010.

There is a lot to do:

• Our communications infrastructure must be examined and the best system developed to bring us into the 21st century.

• We must examine and rethink our fundraising apparatus. The Obama model must be adopted for Tennessee and we can do it.

• We must develop a plan to identify, recruit, train, fund and assist our Democratic candidates running for House and Senate seats in 2010.

• We must reenergize our 95 county parties. This begins with County Reorganization in March and April of this year.

• We must develop a unified, cohesive Democratic message that brings all Democrats together.

• We must have a strategic plan in place to work “hand-in-glove” with the House and Senate Democratic caucuses to provide them with the ground troops they will need for their candidates in their state campaigns.

• And the list goes on and on………..

I am looking to you to walk through the open door of the Tennessee Democratic Party after January 24 and do what Barack Obama did for our country and help us Take Tennessee Blue.

The executive committee members, county parties and I want your help, need your help and ask for your help. We reserve a warm seat at the table for you and your group. Please come and sit with us January 24 and help us make the change we must! 2010 is too critical to the future of all Tennessee Democrats and the country not to.

I’ll see you on January 24 and then let’s go to work.

Please accept my humble gratitude for your support of me to be your new Chair.

Warm regards,
Chip Forrester
Treasurer, Tennessee Democratic Party