As October rolls upon us, so does the next Tennessee election cycle. Most notably, a U.S Senate race, a state gubernatorial race, and numbers of additional state and local seat races. In recent years, the Tennessee Democratic Party has suffered crushing defeats in relevant races. Is the party willing to change? Are there new Democrats out there that need to be brought in? What do Democrats need to do to reverse the current “losers” label it now projects, or even worse, as J.R. Lind points out in his post, Weekly Obsession: Lowe Finney and tales of future past. The Tennessee Democratic Party is such a desolate wasteland that its future has now become its past, and its past is now its present. And its present is about as exciting as a rewrapped package of socks under the Christmas tree. Pretty harsh, but if recent elections are any indication, very true. The South for Democrats is a different place now. Many so-called Reagan Democrats have left the party for more moderate Republicans like Senator Corker or are waiting for a Tennessee Democrat who shares their values. It’s the new politics of the South and Tennessee Democrats have had a terrible time adjusting. Tennessee Democrats learn to become Tennessee democrats. Big T, little d! An article in the the Chattanooga Times Free Press, “Tennessee Democrats ready to rumble but unclear of target: Republicans or fellow Democrats” highlighted the current division in the party. Current Democratic Party Chairman has been chided by many for being “too conservative”. The label of “too conservative” has caused divisiveness among some state party leaders it appears. During the meeting, the Finance Committee chairman, Jerry Maynard, of Nashville, and vice chairwoman, Mary Patterson, of Mount Juliet, resigned, citing disagreements with Herron. And just yesterday, Kevin Teets, the executive director of the party stepped down. Democrats currently are at a 13-20 seat and 34-64 seat majority in the state legislature. That isn’t even close to a working minority. Do folks chiding current Chairman Herron’s new way or new perspective realize that while they might have kept raising money, they weren’t winning elections? Moderate or conservative Democrats aren’t engaged. They don’t become involved in local politics more and more because it appears that they don’t have a place or say in the current state or majority of local party matters. Moderates see a Senator Corker and believe him to be a sensible and smart Senator for the state, so with a lack of viable Democratic candidates, they turn to Republicans. Do moderate Democrats agree with a majority of these moderate Republican’s views or votes? No. But therein lies the point, the Tennessee Democratic Party is filled with those who...
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