NewscomaGot A Two-Pack Habit And A Motel Tan

I want you to know that I would not have the patience to be a politician. I would much rather be an astronaut but I’m scared of heights so that’s probably out too.

A couple of years ago, I was asked to run for a local office. I really thought about it but then I opted out because I wanted to be able to keep my perspective. I have a lot of respect for those who throw their hats in the ring. I may rag them some, but it’s what I do. If everyone sits around agreeing with each other and singing Kumbaya then there is a problem. I also didn’t think it would be fair considering the job I currently have.

Politicians need like-minded people as a sounding board, and when there is constructive criticism, then it’s not a slap but an opportunity.

Sometimes you need a bit of time to analyze the instant impact of political discussion (which can be very difficult as it’s what I imagine childbirth to be like) and then stepping back to see short-term and long-term effects of growth.

The Tennessee Democratic Party is an odd beast and is in transition. The thing is if left-leaners pretend that everything is OK without constructive criticism, then the party is going to stay where it is and it needs to move forward. I have been disappointed in the TNDP but maybe sometimes things have to hit bottom to grow into something fantastic.

As I said, I’ve been disappointed.

I’m also become disappointed when Mabel tears up the trash, but I get over it.

Life is a bunch of waves that goes up and down. I do believe that the TNDP doesn’t need to just talk about utilizing new media, they just need to do it. They need a face and a voice that is as strong as Bill Hobbs is for the TNGOP. I think that the insider problem that focuses just on Nashville needs to be addressed honestly and openly without antagonism. The focus HAS to be in Nashville because that’s where the politicians are, but voices in each division of the state needs to be heard. We can agree to disagree about the direction of the party and there are a few people who are listening, as painful as it might be. This is an odd sized state. It’s roughly seven hours from Memphis to Knoxville. Sometimes the three divisions seem like they are separated by the Pacific ocean. But the Internet has made this state much smaller in scale and that really needs to be addressed.

Each division has passionate people who want to be involved. There are people listening. The TNDP should utilize those voices and make the message sing from liberals to Blue Dogs, we have a common objective. Organizing a cohesive voice only makes sense and from a grassroots perspective, it only can be an asset to the election in 2010. And everyone can come together with each of those voices, despite the odds.

Barack Obama proved, as Howard Dean did before him, that the Internet is a quick, simple way to organize a large volume of people.

I love this state. And I love Hoots as much as I tease about it, that should be apparent. I find myself fluctuating between disappointment to optimism.

As I said, I see this process as painful yet necessary. We can, however, overcome the obstacles ahead of us if we agree to disagree and not throw our hands in the air every time we hear something we may not like. We can, and I say this with a great deal of dedication, be many things with one objective and that is focusing on rebuilding and coloring outside the lines.

It’s important.

UPDATE:  More from the Cracker.