Newscoma

It’s very disenfranchising to read blogs around the internet where the comments have gotten out of control. Again, that’s part of it as people have the right to say what they want to say. I don’t blame the TNDP for that, because we have bigger fish to fry as party reorganization is going on around the state and we are also looking at oncoming reapportionment.

What I do take issue with is that you are still not using free media tools to talk to EVERYONE around the state. I realize that you have a summit coming up in Monteagle which I may or may not get to attend as I do have work commitments that week. I know Chip Forrester is taking on Robin Smith today in the Tennessean.

But what about the folks that are seeking information, which you can easily supply within a matter of minutes that won’t cost you a dime. Listen, I’m not happy about Bill Freeman. How much money has he raised for the party? That’s a fair question. Has his fund raising ability been helpful despite the beating the party has taken?

You can answer these questions, if you choose to, easily and simply.

You have a blog. Use it. As I said, it doesn’t take much time and if you don’t have it, find someone who is close to the party to update it. The calendar is decent, but is limited to being little more than a community news note. Necessary, but not very compelling.

The Donkey’s Mouth blog has not been updated since Nov. 18, 2008. It’s there for the taking. You are already paying for it, so just utilize it. I see your Twitters, but it’s not much of a conversation and more about just high-fiving democrats in the legislature. Not bad, just not great.

There isn’t anything wrong with having a two-way conversation. In many ways, you are losing me. I’m about principles, not personalities as the saying goes and I have never been one to drink Kool-Aid just because it’s being served.

Engage everyone.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, there are people all over the state that might want to help you, but if you guys don’t start talking to them, then you will lose them.

It’s not about the last election, it’s about the next one.

Yours Truly,

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

Well, it was Monday mania in the Tennessee GOP and Democratic Parties yesterday. A spiraling and dizzying display in the battle between Robin Smith and Kent Williams with a war of words. Reports of Gary Odom and Williams eating. Eating, you know, FOOD!! I tell you at a fancy Italian restaurant. Stop the presses. Apparently they have broken bread together before, nudge, nudge, hint, hint. Then, Phil Bredesen DIDN’T address the state’s budget crisis in his State of Delirium address last night.

In Tennessee politics (and with the stimulus) we go back into history to when then Pres. Harry Truman said “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” If you have had enough political speech, here is a picture of something that made me laugh out loud yesterday about cats.

Jobs are being lost but we are watching Robin Smith. If she runs for office as been speculated, she got another day of free commercials. Williams, whom I don’t know other than what I’ve read since the latest episode of As The World Turns started in Nashville later this month, seems so over his head it’s almost sad. I said almost. Jimmy Naifeh, who has some where around 1,239 years in office (that’s if you measure it in dog years) is still running the show and if you don’t believe that, I have some oceanfront property for you on Hoots Sound.

Ahh, Tennessee politics, you wear me out.

Here’s the deal:

Tennesseans are losing jobs by the day. We are out of money in this state and our friends/neighbors are looking at layoffs. Education is a priority and always will be. Economic partnerships need to be cultivated to ensure jobs in the future. We have a TVA spill that is going to impact the financial pocketbooks of all Tennesseans not to mention that Harriman is a cesspool right now where people are losing their livelihoods.

But nnnooooo, I learned yesterday that Williams is a minion of the devil and had lunch with whom I assume was the devil according to Smith.

The highlight, for me at least, was the Chip Forrester talked about rural inclusion in the party with guidance and training around the state. If he reads this blog, which I doubt he does, I refer him to my Gray Sasser rant and what happened to the good folks in northwest Tennessee before the presidential election. This isn’t criticism of Mr. Forrester but the former administration of the TNDP, just a reminder that we’ve been talking about this for a long time.

And, I’ve been getting emails from the party. This is of the good.I do recommend that the TNDP twitter join it’s followers so it’s less of just updating the thread that those of us who are listening are allowed to respond.

So, what’s today in Tennessee politics? Goat sacrifice? Lunch at Rose Pepper? An anatomy of Thelma Harper’s love of hats?

Let’s start talking issues campers. Too much is at stake for all of these games.

More commentary regarding the Chip In fundraiser from Dork Nation and WLPN.

Sometimes it starts with just a few people and a message can grow and spread.

When Chip Forrester was elected to the head up the TNDP a couple of weeks ago, the issue of grassroots came into play. It’s actually been a discussion for some time.

Here’s your grassroots.

Many of us in the progressive blogosphere are lending a helping hand. R. Neal explains better than I can:

To support that effort, progressive bloggers across the state of Tennessee are this morning launching the “Chip in!” online fundraising blogathon to support the Tennessee Democratic Party during this critical rebuilding phase.

We have set up an ActBlue fundraising page where you can “chip in” a little or as much as you can to support this netroots effort and help the Tennessee Democratic Party hit the ground running for the critical 2010 elections for Governor and House of Representatives. Your secure online contribution goes directly to the Tennessee Democratic Party’s FEC regulated committee fund.

In his acceptance speech, TNDP chair Chip Forrester said “The Democratic Party has always stood for the average man and woman against the forces of power, privilege, and elitism. We have stood for fairness and safety in the marketplace and in the workplace, we have stood for individual rights and freedoms, we have stood for equal opportunities for all Americans, we have stood for equality and justice for all.”

The Tennessee GOP has been hitting hard over the past couple of years. Forrester made the call and there are some of us who are coming together to do what we can.

If anything, the recent election of Pres. Barack Obama has proven that the few can be the many.

We have a voice. We are wanting to roar a bit by taking small steps to help rebuild the TNDP for the long-term.

You see, you can talk about it or you can do.

Tennessee progressive bloggers are doing today.  Any donation, large or small, can help us on a path for not only 2010, but for the future.

And also know, this is an independent effort by a group of like-minded people in the Tennessee progressive blogosphere and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the TNDP. We are doing this on our own.

We got your grassroots right here. If you don’t have any money to donate, you can also contact the Tennessee Democratic Party about volunteering your time in the coming days.

If you want to join in, grab the badge and spread the message.

I’m going to talk about politics. If that isn’t your thing, here is a picture of a bag of eggs.

So Chip Forrester was voted as Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party yesterday. I was talking to Left Wing Cracker about it before the vote and we discussed one thing that I also saw from commenter Jen from East Tennessee mention on this long thread at Kleinheider’s house.

We were wondering if folks outside Nashville will be able to have more accessibility to information about the party. Apparently Jen has the same questions from the east side.

Here’s my thing; I don’t care who is in charge as long as Nashville gets the message that we WANT a party in the East. So far I charge the TNDP with 140+ years of malpractice in terms of East Tennessee. Who is going to fix that? From what little I’ve heard from Forrester, he’s indicated at least an interest. If he can’t get along with the powers that be then perhaps the powers that be will get the message that Forrester won because a lot of democrats feel neglected.

Another commenter who is called looking to 2010 wrote this back to Jen.

So today is the day.

The Tennessee Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee will meet tomorrow to select a new Chair for the 2009-2010 term. The election will take place at their meeting at 1:30 pm in the House Chamber.

As you probably know if you have read this blog, I have been extremely critical of the TNDP during the past six months. I lean left and I don’t deny it, but I also am not going to sit back and say what they have done is perfect. It hasn’t been. Far from it.

I am not going to scream yes to everything they say. I believe any political party can get more done by having an open debate that creates conversation and forward motion.

There are a few things that aren’t clear to me. And I’ll be honest, I don’t have 48 hours a day to read every blog post about why Charles Robert Bone should be chair or why Chip Forrester is the guy. So I set some time over the past week to familiarize myself with both of them to see what I could find and other than the regular folks who have been following this, I found very little other than those of us who regularly write about Tennessee politics.

What I found to be most curious is that I went to the Tennessean’s front page for politics and the election wasn’t on there. I did find a letter to the editor and that was about it. Early last month, I read that Forrester had been traveling around shoring up support in Memphis, most notably to me at least, because I live in west Tennessee.

However, this post from GoldnI made me wonder as well about that Bone might be more than alright as well if elected.

Now, with that said, my main question is this:

Why do the money guys like Bone? He seems to have a great deal of support from the status quo. And, Forrester did come out early and often for our current president, something that other Tennesseans did not necessarily do during the presidential campaign.

I don’t know the answers to these questions, quite frankly, but I do know that being geographically challenged as I am, that these two things come to mind.

The one thing I do know is this: If the TNDP doesn’t start utilizing social media and keep the party’s message out there, then both men will be just like Gray Sasser. Yeah, Sasser raised some dough but he didn’t bring the TNDP up a step, miscalculated Hobbs and Co. and seriously dropped the ball for certain (rural **cough, cough**) communities who, although numbers might be small, want to know what’s going on. The GOP can reference what’s coming straight out of the horse’s mouth because Hobbs always has an opinion/presser on current events. You have to search sometimes for the TNDP platform, although bloggers have stayed on top of it.

I hope that the TNDP realizes that they are going to have to do the same thing, no matter who wins the chair position. Update your blog/website, TNDP, to let those of us outside of Nashville know what’s going on. It hasn’t been update since Wade Munday left in November.

I know you guys won’t listen to me anyway, but if you have free tools, use them to inform your base.

You know, the TNDP race for chair is funny to me in a lot of ways. Not Ha Ha funny butI’m having to depend on bloggers like Liberadio, Sean Braisted, KAG, R. Neal and Kleinheider to tell me what the hell is going on. What limited information I have is the Chip Forrester has been traveling around to meet with folks, I know very little about Charles Robert Bone except through the efforts of bloggers.

When you use your google fu on Forrester, the first thing that shows up is KnoxViews. For Bone, it’s his law firm and then KnoxViews is third in line.

I think, because both men can’t be everywhere at once, that they do what R. Neal recommended and create an email database established to progressive Tennessee bloggers and get their PR on outside of urban areas. Andy Berke is on Twitter right now and checks in quite a bit. I’ve never met him either but I have sort of gotten a feel for him there and through his Tennessean article a few weeks ago. I joined his newsletter this morning at this site. Very smart.

Obviously Forrester and Bone are not using tools available to them.

You have the technology, TNDP.

Use it to spread the word to those of us who are geographically challenged.