Fri
Jul 25 2014
03:27 pm
By: Pam Strickland
I've talked about this before specifically in the Campfield race, but I look at it from a broader point of view in today's column. Along the way, I give a shout out to White's Creek.
Rumor has it the paywall is down because of the new website, so check it out.
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- TN Republican Rep wants to change TN wetland regulations (5 replies)
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- CNN: What happened to Tennessee? (1 reply)
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Off the mark, Pam
I read your column, Pam, and as a life-long Democrat, campaign operative, ward chair, board member, and party chair, it seems to me that the Democratic Party - on the local, state, and national levels - cannot afford to be as exclusive as you suggest. We can't discard voters, supporters, donors, or candidates just because they have supported a Republican or two or just because they aren't as progressive as we'd like for them to be. I suppose, much of the time, Democrats vote in Republican primaries for what they think are sound reasons (there is no Democrat running, they want to "select" the weaker GOP candidate to aid a Democrat, or they simply realize that whoever the Democrat is, that person simply has no far chance to win). Some say there are also personal reasons to vote for or support a Republican (friendship or family loyalty, for instance).
As long as Knox County, Tennessee, and national Democrats view the Democratic Party as an exclusive club, and not an inclusive party, pitting the left wing against the middle or the right wing, we're going to continue to see Republican gains and Democrat losses both here and across the state. We've got a chance to elect some Democrats countywide for the first time since 2006. Democratic Party candidates in Knox County and Tennessee must depend upon independent voters to tip the scale for them in most elections. So please, let's stop alienating folks because they don't vote for or support Democrats every single time. It's senseless and it's self-defeating. And it's just plain stupid. Perhaps, if Democrats had the governor's office, both Senate seats, and a super-majority in both houses, we might be able to be more . . . selective about who we bring into the now ever-shrinking fold, but not today.
This is elementary stuff: you can't govern unless you are in a position to govern. And in Knox County and in Tennessee, at this moment, a fight on ideology grounds is simply a losing cause. A Democrat in most districts in Tennessee has a much better chance at winning a race (if he or she has any chance at all) as a centrist or moderate candidate than as a progressive or liberal candidate. That's just an electoral and political fact. Once elected, however, a Democrat can govern progressively, but if not elected, all they can do is talk about what might have been.
Tennessee is not going to be a progressive state for some time to come, if ever, so can't we just focus on getting some Democrats elected, then getting more Democrats elected, etc., and not get sidetracked with an unrealistic goal of changing overnight the political ideology of half the voters in the state?
imo this post should be
(in reply to knoxrebel)
imo this post should be signed
Don, So I hear that as soon
(in reply to knoxrebel)
Don,
So I hear that as soon as your brother's opponent in the Democratic Committeman's District 6 race was named campaign manager for Leland Price, the Democrat in the Criminal Court Judge Division III, you dropped your support for Price (which had been open and vical for over a year) and put a sign for Republican Sam Green in your yard. Is that really doing what's best for the people?
Who is Sam Green?
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
Now that's an intelligent response. Who the heck is Sam Green? Pam, I'd stick to things you know about, not things you don't. It's a bit of a surprise to see you printing neighborhood gossip online. If you'd do the leg-work instead of relying on gossip by a couple of nattering nabobs, you'd see that I don't even own a house or a yard anymore. I moved last year when I got married.
Nevertheless, I'll take the opportunity to say that Scott Green has been a friend of mine and a family attorney for many years. He's a good and decent man and everyone who knows him knows at least that. He'd make a heckuva judge. And he's told anyone who'd listen that Leland would as well. Scott's a class act. In fact, I was surprised he ran as a Republican. Just as I was surprised Charme ran as a Republican.
As for my good friend, Leland, he knows very well how I feel about him and he doesn't need your spin or the spin of your "sources" to interpret it. Just get your facts straight before putting something in print, for God's sakes. I couldn't care less who Leland has "running" his campaign. Besides, my guess is that Leland and Nikki are still running that show anyway. I encouraged Leland to run for DA years ago and introduced him to Democrats all over the county. As for Mr. Brooks, Leland had the class to call my brother before he named Brooks and asked Leon if that was a problem. Leon said it was certainly not. 'Nuff said. It's safe to say that Leland has the Daugherty family vote.
And by the way, if you ever want to put a sign where I live, you'll need to talk to my wife. It's her house, her yard, she's way smarter than me about politics, and she makes that call, not me.
As noted elsewhere, I'm ill.
(in reply to knoxrebel)
As noted elsewhere, I'm ill. Scott and Sam are easily confused, especially when you're in pain. And it sounds as if you still have a yard, so don't be so snippy with me, saying you can't have a sign.
I don't go driving all over the place looking for yard signs, but I do check out rumors when they are relayed. I didn't report it as fact as some others have been known to do. And you don't have to put sources in quotes. It was a very respectable long-time Democratic Party woman who relayed the question to me. Something that probably wouldn't have happened if your history wasn't what it is.
I'm glad to hear that Price does have the Daugherty family vote.
You were well enough to write
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
You were well enough to write something about me and post it. If you're going to charge someone with something, at least get the names right. And if you are well enough to take a shot like that, don't then try to hide behind a health issue to excuse yourself.
Uh, I think I'd know if I had a danged yard.
Huh? My history? Oh, you mean when I volunteered for Randy Tyree when I was 13, Ted Kennedy when I was 18, Randy Nichols & Joe Fowler at 20, Al Gore, Fritz Hollings, and Fritz Mondale at 21, was an Al Gore field coordinator at 26, Nichols at 26, a party ward chair at 27, judicial campaign manager at 28, a Clinton field coordinator at 30/34, oh, and county party chair. I've donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Knox County party, the TNDP, and more candidates than I can list. I will talk to and help anyone considering running for or running for office to give them advice, like Daryl Fansler, Leland, Cheri Siler, Jim Berrier, or Dan Kidd, to name a few. Incidentally, when I was party chair, I don't recall ever seeing you participate in anything party-related. Nothing. This is what I've been doing for 30 something years, so please do not attempt to seriously challenge my bona fides.
So, okay, I'll bite, wear it out. I'm not sure who you think I am or what you think you know, but I do know that you are very quick to take cheap shots, as you did it to Gordon Ball, you did it to Leon, and now, to me. Hmmm. There appears to be a theme going on here.
You mean Gordon Ball who
(in reply to knoxrebel)
You mean Gordon Ball who refused to turn share his financials with the Chattanooga Free Press and who was late in filing his Financial disclosures with the FEC? That Gordon Ball?
If there was no other reason to vote in the Democratic Primary it would be to vote against him. He's not the kind of person who should be representing the women of Tennessee.
As for your history, it's been discussed here often enough. You know what you did to Amy Broyles.
Take it outside
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
Y'all should sit down somewhere private and hash this out. Those of us that take this seriously would like the world to continue without extincting the human race. We're trying to win elections here. Y'all ain't helping.
I don't care who started it.
I'll stand down, unless
(in reply to fischbobber)
I'll stand down, unless further provoked.
All I did was ask Demicrats
(in reply to fischbobber)
All I did was ask Democrats to vote for Democrats.
You did way more than that.
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
You did way more than that. You took a cheap shot at me, a cheap shot at my brother, and a cheap shot at Gordon Ball. All 3 of us have more Democrat credentials than you. That's just a fact.
You do not know me and you certainly do not know my wife, yet you take it upon yourself to spread gossip about us, to feign as if you have some knowledge about me. Is that you functioning as a News-Sentinel journalist or just an online gossip monger? As for your stab at Ball, his FEC report was timely mailed and timely submitted. The fact that it did not make it to the online site was not his campaign's fault. I'd say you need to take a breath and decide whether you want to write for a respectable paper or a gossip rag.
CUT IT OUT! Or at least take
(in reply to knoxrebel)
CUT IT OUT! Or at least take it somewhere else. Some of us are getting pretty tired of this. And I'm sure it's making great entertainment for all the Republican lurkers.
Very well.
(in reply to Rachel)
Sorry, Rachel. I vowed to Bob that I'd stand down unless provoked again. I kept my word. But she couldn't resist getting back on to have the last word. That said, I'll stand down once again. I agree. Most of this stuff should never have been posted, but then, I'm not going to ignore it when someone goes out of their way to unfairly trash my family and friends without calling them out on it. Someone needs to learn to keep gossip to themselves. I'd do the same if someone treated you that way.
This from a man whose brother
This from a man whose brother wants to be in the Democratic Party infra structure.
The party isn't going to amount to anything so long as the party's so-called faithful as willing to waterdown their votes by crossing over instead of uniting behind Democratic candidates.
And I'm not going to be on here much tonight or this weekend to argue the finer points, although I'll probably hop on occasionally. I've got a bunch of odds and ends to get taken care of before I have surgery on Tuesday, including writing next week's column early. But I'm not the only one who feels this way. White's Creek and Hilde are among the ones who see it my way.
Later.
Easy solution:
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
CLOSED PRIMARIES.
Make people register by party.
There. Done. Fixed.
Uh, that's a pretty silly
(in reply to Pam Strickland)
Uh, that's a pretty silly retort. My brother's views and my views are not one and the same, nor do we share the same brain. We'll just have to disagree. I don't know about you, but this so-called faithful Democrat has been working in the trenches for and contributing to Democrats locally and otherwise for over 35 years. Some smart people who identify with the Democratic Party and candidates often cross-over to vote in GOP races, for their own reasons. Some strategic, some meddling, some personal. When they do, we shouldn't shun them as supporters or candidates and we certainly shouldn't turn down their money. I just do not see how that helps Democrats at all.
In recent years, the Party has been watered down by poor candidates, the inability to attract quality candidates, or failing to field any candidates at all, not by Democrats supporting Republicans.
With a single vote, mine, yours, or her own, Cheri Siler is the Democrat nominee. It's been discussed at length elsewhere, but to me, it's a no-brainer to jump over to the GOP Primary to try to do what I can to help Cheri by voting for the most vulnerable of the two Republicans. But then, we have a contested Democratic race in the 7th District, so I can't do that. Nevertheless, the time to "unite" behind Democrat candidates like Siler is in November, not August. Cheri doesn't gain a single thing from your comp vote in August.
Yes, you and your brother are
(in reply to knoxrebel)
Yes, you and your brother are separate, but he's also judged by his associates, the way any candidate is. You ought to know that given your so-called experience in politics. It doesn't do him or the Democratic Party any good to have folks like you urging or there's to crossover vote.
Look, in some election cycles
Look, in some election cycles Democrats have to vote in the Republican primary if they want to affect the outcome of pretty much anything.
This isn't one of them. There are races in the Democratic primary that need attending to.
Although I certainly wouldn't go so far as to tell a Democrat who votes in a Republican primary that he isn't a Democrat. I'm not into purity tests (and see paragraph 1).
Marty and I have known each
(in reply to Rachel)
Marty and I have known each other over 40 years, we can argue and still be friends. And after Santorum endorsed Wamp today Marty let me say "I told you so" without getting mad. He's glad he hasn't voted yet.
We have to build the party back up. We can't do it by pumping up the Republucans.
There's only one thing worse
There's only one thing worse than a good Republican...That is a bad Democrat. I mean for creeps sake, Weston Wamp just got endorsed by Rick Santorum. We need to speak as one voting block and quit waving the white flag of surrender. Roy Herron's plan of being R Lite is working really well, right?
There is nothing in it whatsoever for a D to vote for the lessor of two right wing extremist evils.
Real Republican Governor Ron
Real Republican Governor Ron Ramsey has a Tennessee "Red to the Roots" campaign geared toward putting an (R), no matter what qualifications, in every elective office in the state.
If your only interest in TN elections is a (D) next to someone, you're following Ramsey's path.
My opinion is, mostly, the Democrats on the ticket are better candidates, but that can't be the only consideration.
If ...
... you have political views to the left of things and live in a district with contested Republican primaries but no contested Democratic primaries, sans the US Senate race, it's probably more in your interest to vote in the R primary for whomever you personally feel is the least worst option, unless you feel strongly about the Senate primary race. If you live in a district without contested primary state races, then go to town in the Democratic primary. But whatever your political leanings, voting a straight R or D ticket without examining the candidates - ESPECIALLY in judicial races - is cause for disaster.
Not voting in the Democratic Primary has consequences
I've never said to vote for anyone because they have a D by their name. I have continued to say we must support those candidates who hold Progressive ideals, such as those stated by Elizabeth Warren. To do otherwise is to give support to people who are wrecking your planet and Country.
Let's note that the most endangered species in the last two Congressional races has been the Blue dog Democrat. Running away from your President is not only cowardly but apparently it gets you replaced by a right wing extremist.
Who is Sam Green?
Who is Sam Green?
You know she meant Scott
(in reply to Bbeanster)
You know she meant Scott Green.
She needs to say what she
(in reply to Hildegard)
She needs to say what she means. Particularly when she's issuing an indictment.
Was he not a soul singer from
(in reply to Bbeanster)
Was he not a soul singer from years back? The Reverend Sam Green?
Oh cut it out, all youse.
Oh cut it out, all youse.
This thread,
makes me wonder how Democrats ever get elected in this neck of the woods.
makes me wonder how Democrats ever get elected in this neck of t
(in reply to Average Guy)
As a general rule, they don't.
Two great illustrations. 18th Representative district. Party leaders should have been crawling on their hands and knees over broken glass to get Anthony Hancock back in this race. The guy got 10,000 votes on his own while being shunned by the party. Healthcare and education are the primary issues. Are you going to tell me that him not being a "team" player for this hopelessly disorganized party is worth losing this seat? Really?
The At-Large commission seats. We are at a state where the party won't even put up token opposition on an open seat. Ed Brantley publicly bragged about not using algebra since he left high school. Algebra is a simple, basic, problem solving technique for finding an unknown. Often, the math is first or second grade level. I, and most people I know, use it every day. Frankly, had someone called me and gotten the petitions signed, they could have put me on the ballot. I wouldn't have had time to campaign, but I would have served if the unlikely happened. I'd have thrown out a few decent quotes over this issue though. Republicans are running people that are bragging about not thinking and not solving problems. What's wrong with this picture?
We're not even taking the first step of getting names on the ballot.
Many Democrats, like myself,
(in reply to fischbobber)
Many Democrats, like myself, have been concerned that our local and state Democratic Party has not been doing enough to recruit and support Democratic candidates. Anthony Hancock is just one great example of a local Democrat that is qualified to serve our community in public office. He did not get the support that a good quality candidate should have received when he ran in 2012. He should have been recruited for a number of offices on the ballot in this election year. I hope that he will give it another shot, and this time get the support he deserves.
The top priority for a political party is to elect candidates to office. By electing candidates, the party can effect public policy. All you have to do is look at the empty spaces on the August and November ballot to see the Democratic Party is not accomplishing it's top priority.
We have some very good candidates running this year. The party has hurt their chances of winning by leaving so many Republicans unopposed. By fielding a full slate of candidates against the Republicans, the Republicans would have had to spread their financial and human resources and that could only help Cheri Siler, Gloria Johnson, and others. Now, with few Democrats on the ballot, they have a huge disadvantage.
In our November, 2013 Democratic Board of Governors meeting (I am the 8th district rep.) I reminded the chairwoman that qualifying petitions could be picked up at the end of November for the 2014 elections. I made a proposal for her to create a candidate recruiting committee at that time. I suggested that the committee should have male and female members as well as minorities. By having a diverse committee, I felt outreach to qualified Democrats in the community would be more effective. Many great officeholders have had to have special prodding to convince them to run for office. Several qualified Democrats had mentioned to me that they would be interested in running for office if the party would only reach out and talk to them and promise support. Her response to my committee proposal was that she already had Mark Harmon and Cameron Brooks working on recruiting candidates. Early this year I brought the topic up again at the Board of Governors meeting. Again the chairwoman said Mark Harmon and Cameron Brooks were heading up a search for candidates.I sure was disappointed when I eventually looked at all the empty spaces on the ballot where there could have easily been a name of a qualified Democrat.
I hope more people like you and Anthony speak out and push the party into doing what it is supposed to do by recruiting and supporting Democratic candidates. I have been asked repeatedly by people all around town why there are not more Democrats on the ballot. The only way I can answer that question is to say that the party did not do a very good job recruiting candidates, and that is a shame.
Recruiting
(in reply to Mike Daugherty)
There's more to recruiting than throwing a novice to the wolves (which is what I was volunteering to do). This party must build an infrastructure that will support and finance candidates through their first couple attempts in order to build experience. We must find a way to unify. And we must get over our individual propensity and compulsion to prove our individual intellectual and moral superiority to every other member of our party.
Don't get me wrong. The fact, and it is a fact, that the really smart people are Democrats, is lost on no one. It's why the Tea Party fears us, it's how the right wing recruits low intelligence voters. And its got nothing to do with anything. Being smart is like being black, or homosexual, or a woman, or someone with blue eyes. You can't pick what you are, you can only deal with it.
My suggestion would be this. Instead of infighting, trying to prove intellectual superiority amongst one's peers, we should join together, and use our collective intellect to achieve collective goals. But as I've had privileges and column inches pulled I've been able to see the local situation from a wider angle. Thinking this will just magically happen, is just unrealistic. The more I participate, the more I think that the local view is to first establish intellectual superiority over ones allies, then take the group marching toward the sea.
It's just not that easy to do the right thing anymore.
As to me, my wings are clipped. I have no authorship privileges and most of my media time is spent trying to get my and my family members names spelled right.
To be relevant, Democrats in
(in reply to fischbobber)
To be relevant, Democrats in Tennessee and Knox County need to be united to win elections. We are supposed to be the Big Tent Party. Democracy is about compromising. I admire folks that are passionate about their beliefs.You should not give up your basic values and principles, but when you want all or nothing, usually, you get nothing. I wished Congress would have passed a single-payer healthcare plan in 2010 where every American had decent healthcare. The Republicans would have never passed a plan like that. So, Democrats had to compromise and we got something that is a lot better than ever before and hopefully we can eventually get to where most of the industrialized world is and insure all our citizens.
Tennessee is not Massachusetts. As much as I wish we could elect an Elizabeth Warren, it aint gonna happen any time soon or ever in Tennessee. If we do not understand that, we will not have a chance to even influence public policy. Bill Haslam is the worst governor in our state's history, not because we have not had bad governors but because he has a Republican super-majority saying yes. Democrats have to realize that the electorate in Tennessee has elected a Republican governor, two Republican U.S. Senators, and a Republican legislature. That situation is not going to change if the party is closed to moderates and insists on some kind of litmus test. A teacher friend of mine told me Thursday that he had just voted. He votes Democratic 95% of the time. He is a Democrat. He said he voted for Richard Briggs. He was proud of that and was sure he made the right decision. He cannot wait to vote for Cheri Siler in November. Democrats can't win without him.