There could be no better word for the present state of the Shelby County Democratic Party – ADRIFT. Though there are some doing their very best to navigate this Party to a friendly port, the truth is it is not enough.
I can say this because, first it is the truth and most of the SCDP members know it; second the Republican Party of Shelby County isn't fairing much better, and third you can't fix a problem if you are not willing to acknowledge it exist.
Over a year ago I stated that I wanted to work with SCDP and help the Party get back on its feet, but this was far easier said than done. The Party is sinking in a quagmire of self doubt, petty squabbling, and disorganization. Soon SCDP will be looking for a new chair. Who they select will be the key to their survival.
Before I go any further let me state we bloggers are people willing to tell you publicly what we think and not in whispers behind your back. You may not always like what we have to say but give us credit for being willing to step forward and express it openly.
What is holding the Party back is a leader that can devote the time and energy to the job; a leader that can inspire; a leader that is there first and foremost to build the Party.
The challenge facing Memphis politically is that too often those that get involved in our political system are not there to promote policies and progress the Party, but to play politics and pad their pockets.
I see several key issues that need to be addressed over time by the Party. They must build:
1. a reliable and well managed base of funders; starting with the members.
2. a defined presence in the City as THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY for Shelby County.
3. a committee that is dedicated to engaging and educating the public on how local government operates.
4. an agency of actions, not reactions, and
5. a clear process by which they can support candidates for office with money, man-power and campaign strategies.
Several names have been bounced around as showing interest in being the new SCDP chair: Attorney Lee Harris, Attorney Van D. Turner, Jr. and Attorney Jay Bailey to name a few. Only time will tell, but who ever takes on this responsibility will need a great deal of support.
21 comments:
Adrift?
You mean sunk!
You made some good initial observations. It is all very complicated and involves so much more than you were able to express in a few paragraphs. You are so right about the selection of a new chair.
You left quite a few names off the list including Keith Norman. Hopefully others will decide and declare soon.
It takes more than a chair, the executive committee has been basically comatose for a long time. There are some notable exceptions.
But you did talk about Keith Norman. If he is the chair and the party is adrift then it is clear he's not doing his job, and he's not!
Mr. Norman has missed several monthly meetings and he failed to improve one thing while chair, except shutup that fool Del Gil. Mr. Norman is not going to run again because if he did you know he would loose.
Go ahead and tell the truth stop trying to save people feelings. This guy is more concern about his expensive suits than SCDP.
GOT AN E-MAIL THAT YOU TALKING ABOUT THE SHELBY COUNTY PARTY. YOUR FIRST WRITTER WAS RIGHT IT IS SUNK. STOP GOING TO THOSE MEETINGS A LONG TIME AGO. YOU COULD NAME ON ONE HAND THE NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT COME TO THOSE MEETINGS. NO BODY CARES UNTIL IT TIME TO GET ELECTED THEN THEY TRIPPING ALL OVER TO BE SEEN. EVERYTHING YOU SAID WAS TRUE.
To 3:11 P.M.
You are right. I left Keith Norman out of the conversation on purpose. To include him would have required me to make an assessment of his term in office.
As you stated it is very complicated and I did not feel I could provide a fair opinion on Keith at this time.
There is a rumor that Keith is looking at a run for Mayor of Memphis. Holding on to his chair position would keep his name in the mix.
Never heard of SCDP so they couldn't be doing much. This is aLL about rich people getting power and dam the poor people. Memphis sucks!
Milton - what have you done to help?
The reason Memphis is doing so poorly is because we have so many poor people with low moral values. If they have children out of wedlock it's no big deal that King Willie does it. If they steal it's no big deal that Rickey "Repeat" Peete steals - so they put him back in office so he could steal again. If they get drunk and have DUI's it's no big deal that Janis Full-of-liquor or Ophelia "Ain't hitting on nothing" Ford can't even stand up. This city is a JOKE!!!!
Hey 10.48 that's what Mr. Milton is talking about. If the democratic party was doing there job these crooks could'nt get away with this.
It is easy to sit in the back of the room and cast stones. Wonder why people are afraid to aim them at the right target?
To: 2:13 P.M. & 4:35 P.M.
I could not disagree with you more. The Shelby County Democratic Party is not sunk, but it is taking on water. (Ok, that's the end of my metaphors.) I used the word adrift because over the past year that is what I have seen. The Party has no focus. This wouldn't matter if they served no purpose but they do, a valuable purpose.
To: 4:08 P.M.
By my understanding when the chair position came up it was Keith Norman that stood up and took the challenge when others wouldn't. This is a tough horse to ride. (Didn't I say no more metaphors!) I believe Keith has the ability, but IN MY VIEW he is not able to devote the time and energy to making it happen. He has much too many interests that take away from his chairmanship duties.
To: 8:37 P.M. & 7:01 A.M.
Both of your comments hit at the heart of my post. I spent some worried hours debating if I would post my views on the Party. I could have gone into much more detail but what I wanted was to spur debate instead of giving my personal laundry list of complaints.
“What have I done to help SCDP?” Not enough, but I have donated money to the Party and now I am a regular donor by have a small amount automatically taking out of my account each month. I feel this is a great way to support SCDP and recommend everyone doing this. I was an active participant on the Kennedy Day Events. I attend most of the monthly meetings and I also attend all my district meetings. Because there has not been an opening in my district I have not been able to become a voting member. Yes it is easy to throw stones. I don’t feel this is what I’m doing. This Party really needs to have a soul searching meeting and I hope in some small way this post can help move them in that direction.
To: 10:48 A.M.
You are correct there are some politicians that take advantage of the voters. I’m not sure I agree fully with your list, but it is necessary that the voters do a better job at educating themselves on the office and the candidates that run for those positions. SCDP can help by offering training meetings, info newsletters, and other forms of outreach.
At their regular meeting the other week people was asking if we were going to hold some kind of inauguration event. Keith Norman was not there and no body on the executive board or committees had thought to put on an event. That would have been a great fellowship for those not going to Washington and it could have been a good way to raise money. Another opportunity blown.
That was a good point...why didnt they have a party? Bad mistake.
Did any of you who wanted a party inaugural event come forward with an offer to help plan it?
Anonymous you said {Did any of you who wanted a party inaugural event come forward with an offer to help plan it?} How can we come forward with an offer to help when there was no plan. Thats what the Chair is for. He set the direction then the committees develop the plan and the rest of the members come forward to help. Everytime I tried to offer to help they act like Im trying to take over. Sometimes they wont even acknowledge when my hand is up. This not about beating up on anybody its just what it is.
Reginald, good blog. You have a regular now.
There is much frustration and disappointment over the lack of party leadership. The chair has not missed just a few meetings, it has been many.
Serious thought should be given to what qualifications the next chair needs to have along with the job description.
Some potential candidates have a definite personal agenda. That type chair will lead to more of the same or worse.
The chair has to be someone who truly cares about the party. The chair needs to make a firm commitment to move it in the right direction and to be a uniter not divider.
All this talk about the chair will be useless if the same thought is not given to the election of good executive committee members who will all work for the common goals.
Norman wants to be the Mayor of Memphis??? And we thought Herenton was bad!!!
THESE PEOPLE NEED A THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE, WHY THEY ARE HERE, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
The Dems are doing far better than it seem. Don't listen to all the posts here. Some hate Norman because he want take crap.
Reginald saw you in the CA. You're very poetic!! Serious it was nice.
New day new TNDP chair Chip Forrester! This is good news!
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