Newscoma

The Nashville Scene’s Pith in the Wind posts a democratic insider’s take on blogs and the TNDP this morning.

Blogs are fueling the controversy and making matters much worse for Freeman. Actually, you could say blogs and their commenters have created Freeman’s troubles. “In a normal world without the Internet, I wouldn’t know any of this was even happening,” one insider says. “There might have been some muttering or something. But damn, now I’m getting emails from somebody in Knoxville who’s gotten an email from somebody in Memphis who’s been reading it on the Scene’s website, and all of a sudden there’s all this trash out there. There’s just reams of. I don’t think Freeman or Forrester ever expected that this would blow up.”

No, Freeman and Forrester didn’t expect this but it’s not like folks haven’t been telling Forrester since he was elected in as Executive Director.

The blogosphere is what it is. And they are going to be critical at times and praise at times. Anyone on any side of the political bench needs to know that we live in a world filled with social media, blog posts about the here and now and an email system where people are talking nonstop about their passions. In this case, it’s progressive politics.

There are two ways to go here. Embrace it and see it as a way for communicating to the folks who are going to be working with you. Or alienate them.

I’d go with door number one if I was the TNDP and learn some quick social media skills ASAP.

And with that said, the days of the Yes person are coming to an end. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

H/T Kleinheider

Bill Freeman being appointed treasurer for the Tennessee Democratic Party has created a storm across the blogosphere.

One of the ongoing themes regarding Chip Forrester’s new tenure as Executive Director for the TNDP has been his ability to raise money. It’s been an ongoing issue at Post Politics’ and Pith In The Wind threads for the past month. I keep reading that Blue Dogs did not support Forrester in this role preferring Charles Robert Bone and that the money trail is cut off. Of course, I’ve not heard a Blue Dog say this but it tends to be an ongoing theme.

Ideologically, the hiring of Freeman seems to be very disturbing. From a fundraising perspective, it may be quite clever. Can Freeman, as he has two feet on different sides of the political aisle, be an asset in filling the coffers of a very depleted TNDP bank account? And can he get some money into that account quickly?

Basically, I’m playing devil’s advocate here so bear with me.

Now don’t get me wrong. $10 grand to meet George Bush? Not getting it but then I don’t have to when it comes right down to it. But on the other hand, he did raise quite a bit of money for the Obama campaign. And, in the spirit of disclosure, my family back in the day gave to both parties when they owned a business, so I do understand the philosophy behind those actions. (I have not, mind you, as I’m broke as a turnip.)

Still playing devil’s advocate here: not everyone is firmly in the Democrat camp or under the Republican tent. In the blogosphere, we tend to choose a side and stick with it, however, many people vote for the person and not the party. This also needs to be taken into consideration when dealing with the big picture of getting someone elected into office.

As I said, I’ve tried to think about this in a clinical way. I see that Steven Ross and I are pretty much on the same path here. He writes:

There are some fences to be mended here. I’m not particularly pissed, but other people are, and they have influence over a larger sphere of people and just like giving can go viral, so can “not giving”. I hope in the future the party will give more consideration to the rational and emotional sides of their decision-making. This means being a little bit more savvy and looking outside the Exec Com for input.

I’m with him on this. But Russ McBee is also giving words of wisdom as well.

The lion and the lamb will lie down together, but the lamb won’t get much sleep.

I will wait and see, as that’s pretty much all we can do at this point.

A quick question for you regarding this post at Kleinheider’s abode.

What does this mean? Seriously. I’m a huge fan of verification and I think this is something you need to address. I’ll reserve judgment until you make a statement, but I’m just wondering. Apparently the Associated Press confirmed information about Bill Freeman but I want to hear from you about it.

You see, I don’t know what to think about it but there is a part of me that doesn’t like it very much. I understand money and all, and I also know a lot of business people donate to both sides of the aisle because they feel like it gives them leverage including Gov. Ned McWherter, but it still doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Average folks don’t have that kind of money just to toss around. They do, however, have time which is also valuable. That time has to be earned though. You know that.

Also, regarding your Twitter account, could you please follow the members of the blogosphere back. It appears you are just following Tennessee politicians and, you know this, you already know what they are saying. I realize the political people don’t like communication, but it’s sort of necessary in this day and age.

And, with that said, please don’t be all PR guy. Answer the tough questions as well as the softball lobs.

Thanks,

‘Coma