archived: 22 - 28 May, 2005 Back Next
UPDATED: May 26, 2005
WE SHOULDS
[Authored
by Boy Orator of the Neuse]
Already the "We Shoulds" are on the ball talking about a think tank. We should! We should!
Part of the problem with the "Progressive Democrats" is that they are a rag tag bunch of grassroots activists, with no real ties (as far as I can indicate) to any power players, money, or power. How is it that you take a group from rag tag to forceful?
Junkie: Boy Orator is responding to TPJ’s article below, MARCHING ON, calling for the formation of a progressive think thank in North Carolina.
TPJ continues to hold its view that NC progressives, often wily and fiercely independent, can create a think tank. Are there one thousand progressives in NC? If 1,000 North Carolina progressives contributed just $10.00 a month, progressives could have marvelous think tank; one that could actually draw a progressive state budget, research and write on issues of reforming government.
Progressives have a very simple choice: organize and make the commitment or be condemned to a fringe minority status that will have no lasting impact on North Carolina.
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MARCHING ON
Republicans are systematic and determined.
A new think tank funded by the Pope Foundation is set to open Monday in Raleigh with political consultant Jack Hawke as its president and Thomas Stith, a Durham City Council member, as its vice president.
Called the John William Pope Civitas Institute, the multipurpose organization will watch legislation and train future conservative leaders, Hawke said. . . .
Joel Raupe, an aide to Senate minority leader Phil Berger, will head the legislative section.
Raupe, who has worked for Senate Republicans since 1999, said freedom from the day-to-day minority caucus duties will leave him with more time for research. . . .
Hawke plans to develop a leadership institute and wants to offer seminars in practical politics for college students. The operation will include a publications arm and will sponsor monthly polls on public policy issues. – News & Observer
Progressive Democrats in North Carolina have not risen to the challenge and formed a think tank or training institute of their own.
The lack of a progressive think tank in North Carolina hinders the development of an effective progressive voice. For example, many progressives are lamenting the budget recently passed by Democrats in the North Carolina State Senate. But, what do progressives envision for the State’s budget. A progressive think tank could develop alternatives.
Radical Republicans in North Carolina continue to lay the frame work to win. The question remains; when will NC progressives effectively step into the political arena?
LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS
Democrats can take a lesson from Log Cabin Republicans.
Republicans are holding their annual State convention in Asheville this weekend. Log Cabin Republicans, who support gay rights, is running cable ads during the convention.
Cable TV subscribers in the Asheville area will see a TV ad this weekend urging the North Carolina Republican Party to be more inclusive of homosexuals.
A political organization for gay Republicans is running the ad during the state Republican Party convention in Asheville.
The Log Cabin Republicans were barred by current GOP chairman Ferrell Blount from setting up a table at last year's convention.
The group says it's decided against asking for a table at this year's convention. Instead, they plan to spend up to $5,000 to air the 30-second ad. – WFMY News 2
This is the Log Cabin message:
the commercial starts with footage of former President Reagan's speech to the 1992 national convention in Houston. It quotes Reagan as saying, "Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears."
The 30-second commercial then says the Republicans have a choice of following Reagan's lead in uniting the party or following the "intolerant social agenda" of the likes of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Pat Buchanan and U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. – News & Observer
When is the last time the Democratic Party has run ads outside of a campaign to educate voters on an issue?
TPJ has noted in several articles that the 11th Congressional District could be competitive for the Democrats. See these TPJ articles:
NCDP Chairman Jerry Meek helped stage Social Security as a central issue in the 11th District this past week.
Against a backdrop of supporters standing on the Henderson County Courthouse steps and holding signs that read "Don't Bushwack My Retirement," Henderson County Democratic Party Chairwoman Eva Ritchey challenged Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Spence Campbell to a debate on the future of Social Security.
Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Polk County Democratic Party Chairwoman Margaret Johnson, Buncombe County Democratic Party Chairman Max Haner and Kathleen Barnes, a representative from the Transylvania County Democratic Party, stood with Ritchey in front of a group of 30 people Wednesday to discuss Social Security. – Hendersonville Times
The Republican response was, at best, lame:
Republican Party Chairman Spence Campbell said local issues are more important to him than the Social Security issue, which will be decided in Congress. U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor dismissed the Democratic event as "partisan political grandstanding." – Hendersonville Times
The low budget event staged by the Democratic Party in the 11th is a marvelously effective way of bringing issues to the public. First, it shows Democrats in a positive light, working to protect Social Security.
Second, the mystifying response of the Republicans to the call for a debate on Social Security by claiming that “local issues” are more important certainly gives Democrats the upper hand on the issue in the 11th District. Republicans are essentially indicating that the issue is not very important.
Third, Democrats in the 11th should be following up on the issues. Here are some ideas:
1.
Democrats should be writing letters to the editors in every county of the 11th pointing out that the Republicans do not think Social Security is an important issue and Republicans refuse to debate.
2. With
limited financial resources, Democrats could write every senior citizen in
the 11th District a letter framing the Republican response of
“not important” against Democratic Party concern that Bush is trying to
abolish Social Security.
3. With moderate financial resources, Democrats could be on local cablevision channels in the 11th making the case for preserving Social Security.
Working the issues that are important to people in the 11th District will bring the District into play in 2006 and strengthen the Democratic Party.
TPJ kudos go to the 11th Democrats and Chairman Meek for setting the example of being a Party that can be effective on issues.
Last Update: 03/23/2006