Javier Bailey email me what he calls his Blueprint For Shelby County Democrats.
Just before I left for my trip to Washington, Bailey sent out a letter to members of the Shelby County Democratic Party telling them he wants to be the next chair. Here is Attorney Bailey's Blueprint for change.
OVERVIEW
The following is a comprehensive review of the platform and plan that I truly believe will strengthen our Democratic Party, here in Shelby County. It is my fervent belief that it is our mission and duty to reach out to Democrats throughout this community and region, in order to empower them; not just to win elections, but to likewise give our people a platform for change. In short we must make the people relevant again.
Over the past decade or so, we have lost touch with the very people that made our party the party of the common man and woman since the days of John Kennedy. We have let go of the mission that Democrats across the country hold dear; that is the mission of caring for our neighbor and uplifting the less fortunate. Here in Shelby County, we have allowed party apparatus to evolve into a committee that meets once a month, with no real social or economic agenda.
It is my hope that you will join with me in reorganizing, strengthening, and operating our party like the “Party of the People”. I stand ready to give it everything I have. I will be a hands on Chairman with these stated goals in focus:
THE PLAN
1. We will develop and implement a working year round ward-precinct infrastructure, for mobilization of the electorate. This will allow us to not only get out the vote as needed, but also it will serve as a resource to our nominees and elected officials as needed. The ward-precinct operation must be in place year round in order for the Democratic Party to truly be a part of the political landscape in Shelby County and the Mid-South region. Each member of the Executive Committee will be responsible for identifying precinct captains in their respective House of Representative Districts from which they currently serve. Each captain will remain in place even when we are outside of election cycles. They will be our eyes and ears to the neighborhoods.
2. We will create a Shelby County Democrats Council. The council will consist of elected and appointed Democrats who will meet monthly in order to co-ordinate policy, share opinions, air-out differences, and strengthen relationships. This is essential to our creating a network between our officials. Many of them never have contact with each other. It is incumbent upon us to facilitate this effort.
3. We will create and maintain a database of Democrats for purposes of identifying volunteers, poll-workers, and fundraisers. This will also serve as the resource center for our elected officials and their campaign staffs.
4. We will develop and maintain a “COORDINATED CAMPAIGN WAR-CHEST” for use in soft money advertising, GOTV, and assistance to our candidates.
5. We will maintain files on the voting records of all of our nominees, elected officials, and appointed officials in order to assure greater accountability. Accountability to the electorate and this party is essential to office holders who were elected under our banner.
6. We will eliminate cross-party endorsements by elected officials who were elected as Democrats. This has become a phenomenon unique to Shelby County. Our elected officials have shown no hesitation in endorsing Republican candidates over Democrats. This happens because we have not held them accountable.
7. We must appoint an ORGANIZED LABOR TASK FORCE, to serve as our link with our greatest allies. Traditionally organized labor has been the backbone of our party. However, locally we have absolutely lost touch with our brethren in organized labor. This relationship must be rebuilt and sustained.
8. We will immediately fill all of our committee appointments, appointed positions, and other vacancies; and require dedication from our Executive Committee Members.
9. We will maintain a QUALIFIED CANDIDATES DATABASE, for candidate recruitment, and for use by elected officials when looking for appointed personnel.
10. We will raise and maintain $250,000 per year in our treasury. This will allow us to properly administer our duties with paid staff and a full time ward-precinct operation.
17 comments:
Raise $250,000!!!!
If he can do that he has my vote!
So let replace somebody who do noting with somebody who know nothing.
This guy is a hot head he would tear the Democrate County Party in pieces.
Bailey started the Memphis Democratic Club. This group sold spots on their campaign ballot to the highest bidder. Why would anyone put this man in charge of their group.
Inquiring minds want to know... has Bailey ever won a single case in his life?
Mr. Milton what do you know about Mr. Bailey? Who else is running?
To 9:44 A.M.
If Mr. Bailey could raise that much money it would be impressive. He will need to explain how he plans to achieve these lofty goals.
To 10:45 A.M. and 3:17 P.M.
Yes, Mr. Bailey and a few others did start the MDC. I attended their first meeting and was impressed with the energy and vision. This was around the time I was running for City Council and I was trying to find some like-minded people that shared my passion. The MDC seemed like that type of group.
But what happened next was something that happens far too often here in Memphis; too many cooks in the kitchen. The group decided to issue a ballot endorsing candidates for the Mayor and City Council election, and of course I wanted their endorsement. I was soon approached by a MDC member who in a round-about way suggested that I could have their support if I was willing to pay for it. He was suggesting around a $1,000.
Now I was new to politics but paying for an endorsement seemed wrong. I would have understood if they had selected me and then asked for financial support to print and distribute their endorsement ballot, but this was a shakedown plain and simple. I turned it down and walked away from MDC. Later on one of my opponents agreed to the payoff and received MCD's endorsement. I did what I could to inform the public on what had happened but they also endorsed Mayor Herenton and when he started distributing their ballot my faith was sealed. Herenton was providing transportation for voters and everyone who got off his bus had the MDC's ballot in their hand. This was my first bitter taste of politics.
By my understanding Bailey didn't want to have anything to do with the shakedown and even said that MCD had just started and shouldn't even produce a ballot. So I give him credit for that.
Look, MCD didn't invent the ballot payoff scheme, that has been around for a long time. Some of those who were doing this I don't think even thought anything was wrong with it.
I hold no grudge, like I said it's politics. But I did some growing up during that campaign.
I really don't know much more about Bailey but I hope to be able to sit down with him and hear more about his vision for SCDP.
As for other candidates I will discuss them as time goes by.
It appears that he did not send his letter to all executive committee members.
It would be preferable to have a chair with an impeccable reputation. He/she should be independent of any factions.
Anonymous 9:44 AM:
If that amount could be raised, I would want to make sure of the accountability before donating a penny.
It won't make any difference if its Norman or Bailey or Lee. The problem with this city is one word "ego". All these people think about is what's in it for me. That's the problem with the Democratic Party everybody in there are there for themself. It's not about helping the average person in Memphis it's all about using this to get to higher positions. The Democratic Party won't get far with this type of attitude.
Reginald you said "one of my opponents agreed to the payoff." Who was this?
Bailey is a good man and would make a great chair for the Shelby County Democrat Party.
To: February 3, 2009 8:57 AM
You are so on target with your comments. What's in it for me is the motivation for many who get elected to the SCDP exec. comm. and the vote for chair is the same way.
That undermines the work that would be possible for those who do join for noble reasons.
There are those who directly benefit from a weak party.
To: February 4, 2009 7:28 AM
Interesting, why do you think Bailey is the best choice? Have you looked at all the candidates?
To 7:55 A.M.
Yes, it will be important to find the very best chair possible. I don't know if Mr. Bailey is still with MDC or not. I will find out and let you know.
To 8:00 A.M.
Be it the Democratic Party or City Government we absolutely need transparency.
To 8:57 A.M. and 7:57 A.M.
I understand your frustration, but I can't except the argument that "everybody" is only out for #1. If I believed that it would be hard to get up in the morning.
Are there people out there that seek these positions for personal gain and advancement? Sure, I have no problem with that. This is America, "Ambition is Good." What separates the good and bad apples are those who receive our support and once in office are more focused on their next step up than in doing the job at hand. In that I agree we have too many like that.
To 9:55 A.M.
You wanted to know which of my opponents paid to be on MDC ballot. The truth is he didn't win so it's not important. To the credit of Edmund Ford, Jr., who did win the District 6 race, he also stayed clear of that ballot.
To 7:59 A.M.
I didn't say I thought Bailey was the best candidate for SCDP Chair. He sent me this information and I happily shared it with all of you.
I have not decided who I think would make the best chair, but thanks for asking.
Go ahead and say it - James Catchings paid to be on the Memphis Democratic Club "Official" ballot. This organization is a joke. It is run by Greg and Alonzo Grant brothers, Del Gil and Chism. They should all go to jail
Looks like the party is all about what one elected official dictates.
I'm going to post this comment here and on the one about Keith No'man.
Milton you are to nice to this guy. The blame for the state of SCDP rest squarely with the Chair. Keith No'man has done nothing to help us move forward! All this man thinks about is himself! He did nothing to help with Kennedy Day, he did nothing to help raise funds (In 2006 he gave Harold Ford, Jr. $3,000. If he cares about us why doesn't he give that kind of money to the Party?), he did nothing to improve educating the public and he did nothing to help support deserving candidates. This was a stepping stone and nothing more!
Lets see him answer those charges. $50 bucks says he won't take you up on your offer Milton. He will never post here. He has nothing to say.
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