Let’s remember that Abe Vigoda is still alive and kicking and I’ve read his obit dozens of times. I do like the fact that what I read of Ken Whitehouse’s article seemed to be tongue and cheek, but it did get me thinking.

I talked to Vibinc earlier today where we extolled our horror for the holidays and how we are trying our best not to be Grinch/Scrooges, or what Dan Lehr aptly named Grooges yesterday on Twitter. We talked about the party and how that change always scares the bejeezus out of folks.  John Tanner and Bart Gordon have been in office a very long time. Politics can sometimes be habit-forming. We get used to the same old dish because it’s easy to make so that’s what we eat. The idea that there might be new ideas out there isn’t that scary and, dare I say it, invigorating if you look at the glass being half-full. It just means that people are going to have to get organized, decide what they want in the TNDP and start working toward that goal.

And the TNDP needs to get it together quickly. There, I said it.

Blue Dogs, which surround me here in Hoots, are an odd breed, but those politics are what a lot of folks like here. Even the name Blue Dog has lost its initial first meanings and just fell to the wayside of being a meaningless label in recent years. But there is something that a lot of people have forgotten. At one time, they weren’t so bad. I’m a liberal, campers, but I do know that it is important to have a moderate voice.

Where the Blue Dogs messed up, in my opinion, is when they started using GOP talking points nonstop, which Vibinc and I talked about this morning. Instead of having their own message, they relayed their opponents message to either get re-elected or maybe they were weighing the winds in Washington instead of looking into their own state. When you forget to hear the voice of average Americans, that’s when the trouble starts. This is far too common.

Times are tough right now. Wedge issues are effective in avoiding other more pressing issues and that’s why they are used in politics. Avoid the facts by going after powerful emotions in our society. We weigh issues like creating jobs and industrial revitalization down with talking about things that are distractions.

There are a lot of independent voters in this state of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Many times, people vote for the person and not the party. So the obvious answer to me is to make them WANT to vote for the party. Be it a Republicrat or a Blue Dog, who is going to be those people that enforce good will, that listen to the heartbeat of the state and who understand the average bear just wants to feed their families at night without worrying if there will be food, utilities and shelter the next day. We are in a recession folks.  These issues may not be effecting you personally, but they are there, they are real and they are frightening.

So, who’s got a plan? I bet there are plans out there, but is anybody listening?

As for the death of the democrats, I’m just not buying it today. I think we are reinventing ourselves. The best thing a democrat can do right now is act/vote like a democrat.

As for those in politics, listen to the people, don’t assume and think for them. You might learn what is really on their minds.

Post-election, as Barack Obama has been selecting his cabinet, the rest of the entire Democratic party had only two responsibilities of importance. One was to fill Obama’s vacated Senate seat in Illinois, the other was Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat in New York.

How’s that going?

I’m a leftie but I have to say, that’s just about right.

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.

If you haven’t seen the video of what Powell had to say, go here. It’s pretty compelling.

Remember the young woman that called the TNDP and was basically dismissed. Well, she’s taken action and started her own blog called Weakley County Democrats.

I love to see people take the bull by the horns. So, go say howdy to Editor Bates.

And, I would advise that the TNDP pay attention because Bates is fearless, passionate and dedicated. And she is about the legacy of the party that she loves as well as how national issues affect local people.

Go now please.

I met a man last night named Zane who is from Illinois. He leans right and, well, I don’t, but the dialogue came down to where we were breaking down the reasons on our core political beliefs. It was interesting to here that he was a moderate Republican, he didn’t like Obama in his state and he broke down politically why. I talked of social issues and how I thought that corporations had too much political power and that was why I was casting a vote to him.

It was a dialog.

We agreed the talking heads on cable news outlets were full of hot air and that by their blathering, that major issues that this country is facing are swept under the rug and ignored. We agreed that some anchors saw themselves as “stars” and that was too bad mainly because it should be about the news and not about the pundits.

He was a pro-choice Republican. I am a Second Amendment Democrat.

There is always something to be learned by listening and it was a fine conversation. I’ll probably never see Zane again, but he made an impression on me primarily because we had a nice talk where no minds were changed, but a door was opened. It was civil and enlightening.

I liked that.

Dear Representative Armstrong,

I hope this finds you and your family well.

Reading the Nashville press has been quite the adventure this summer:  A trooper making unauthorized background checks; the buyout program not producing as many funds as we needed; revenues still falling behind estimates and our Majority Leader indicating a desire to be Speaker.

According to at least three press stories dating back to June, Representative Odom apparently has decided to challenge Speaker Jimmy Naifeh for Speaker of the House after the November elections.

Since Leader Odom has made his intentions clear, I write today to let you know I intend to run for Democratic Majority Leader.

At a time when what we need is a united front, I regret we have this split among our leadership.  Lack of communication within our leadership is limiting Democrats’ influence and giving the opposition opportunities for success.  Lack of cooperation within our leadership emphasizes our differences resulting in legislation that is not all that it could be.  The time to end these petty power struggles and work together building a better unified coalition of democrats who pass strong, well-considered, thoughtful legislation is now.

What kind of Majority Leader do I intend to be?  I intend to do it the same way that I have led over the last six years as Assistant Majority Leader and Majority Whip:  Listening to you without preconceived notions, caring about you and your constituents and thoughtful consideration and discussion.  Every voice will be heard:  urban and rural; conservative and liberal; East, Middle, and West.  As Majority Leader, I CAN work side by side with you, our Governor, our Speaker and other elected leadership members to ensure that the legislative priorities of our caucus and the lives of our constituents come first, not personal agendas.

The bottom line is that I want to be YOUR Majority Leader and I can serve YOU effectively.

Today, our purpose is clear.  We must elect Democrats in November.  For some that may mean fund raising, for others that may mean campaigning but for all of us that certainly means working to help each other.  If you do not have an opponent, I encourage you to seek out a candidate near you and volunteer to help.  If you do have an opponent, then don’t be shy about asking me or others to help.

When it comes to this fall’s caucus election, I want to count on your vote for me.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Mark Maddox

Delegate Jack Cunningham of Milan is looking forward to hearing Obama talk about the economy and getting us out of the war. When asked how rural voters feel about Obama, Cunningham said “they don’t know him yet.”

If their enthusiasm is any indication, we’re sure that after the convention the Tennessee delegates will be “fired up and ready to go” talk to voters in their communities, rural and otherwise, about Sen. Obama.

I thought Ted Kennedy fired everyone up. My mother had a malignant brain tumor. She had trouble functioning at times so my fascination with the Lion had as much to do with the personal connection I have of having a family member ill and seeing that he looked strong and sounded fantastic. I know this is going to given a “‘Coma’s drinking the Kool-Aid again” from some of my online buddies, but I thought he did well, as did Michelle Obama, who also opened a bit of the door into her husband’s life.

I’ve often said that there are intimate things that catch people’s attention. Small, intricate details that have great meaning for one person may mean nothing to another. Every opinion, although it may disagree with mine, is of value.

I said last night on Twitter that I miss optimism although I must admit that I’m not very optimistic about politics as a whole. I want my own Camelot. I am also a realist and realize that is just a nostalgic pipe dream. I used to sit at my mother’s feet as a child listening to the stories of how smitten she was with a young president who she admired in a time of Elvis, The Beatles and putting a man on the moon.

That time is over and I am not naive.

I have decided, as I do on occasion, to avoid blogs that use words like Dimmocrats and Rethuglicans because it adds nothing to the political landscape, nor does McSame or Obamabot. It’s just my preference. I work at a job where I hear these things for a living. Every day.

When I’m home, I need a break.

I’m also taking a siesta from the ongoing political punditry on cable news channels. The spin is out of control. It’s like beating a dead horse after awhile.

So, I’m going to watch the convention. I’ll probably write about it.

I realize this is a rambling post, but I’m tired of a nation guided by a regime of fear over the past few years. I’m going with hope.

Cobb says this may be the biggest decision he has to make and I can’t help but agree.

Although I have played armchair political pundit on this, I can’t help but think whoever he chooses is going to have to be chosen to be the best advocate for this country in the Middle East. Our economic situation, in my opinion, has so much to do with the Iraq War. We are borrowing money from China, people are doing without but we haven’t hit that moment of outrage yet but I think it will come and, of course, we’ve hit $4 a gallon so isn’t it just a matter of time before we start anticipating warily $5.

Let’s look at China. With the devastating earthquakes that have hit that country, they are going to need more fuel to rebuild. We owe them. Let’s think about that. I don’t know the answer but it’s a reality. The world needs petro not just the United States.

In a story from ABC, we get this:

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill says their profits have quadrupled since 2002.

“Last year ExxonMobil made $83,000 a minute,” Senator McCaskill said.

“What nerve does it take for us to give oil companies $17 billion in taxpayer money with those kinds of profits?”

Of course, Senate Republicans blocked the Democrats Monday on the windfall tax for oil companies.

For every one thing we think we know, there are five hundred different things lurking in the murky waters of government. With Obama looking at a V.P to campaign with him this summer, the vice-president is very important. Whoever he chooses, I hope that that person’s interest is in the American people, our global community is not tied into corporate greed. It’s corporate greed that ultimately got us in this mess we are in right now in the first place.

A marrying kind of love that I could settle down with this post and bring it coffee every morning.

With that said, I have no idea who I’m going to vote for the Democratic nominee for Senate this year but …

Aunt B. has a point with this line:

Don’t try to gimmick me into believing that you’re some kind of regular joe.  Just be one.

I go back to this.