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Posts Tagged ‘democrats’

Pyrrhic Victory: The Politics of Winners/Losers

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on September 23, 2010| 2 Comments »

A Pyrrhic Victory is a victory offset by staggering losses.  King Pyrrhus’ of Epirus Army suffered tremendous casualties in the defeating the Romans in 280 BC—winning at all cost.  As a student, studying the massive loss of human life during the American Civil War was rough. 

Some observers have liken the current political battles to Pyrrhus’ situation since there are those who want to win with little regard for functioning after the election.  The GOP has been tossing out quality conservative incumbents because the likeable lawmakers have histories of attempting to serve all the people.  While it might be selfish, I have supported a Georgia senator from my area because his knowledge and leadership on agriculture and military issues helps key economic engines in rural Georgia. 

The Blue Dog Democrat who represents southwest Georgia is in a serious mid-term battle and the far Right is giddy about their chances. They should remember Pyrrhus or better, Pickett and Lee at Gettysburg.

While I am busy be selfish, I can’t understand why more voters in swing congressional districts are standing idly by as a relative small group of very involved activists, Tea Party, shape elections and policy. From President Obama down to my city block, Democrats are too freaking nice…to each other.  I have seen the enemy and it’s the complacent face in the mirror.  We should find solace in the fact that our lack of voting produced the coming results.  

A bust of Pyrrhus in a Copenhagen museum is missing it’s nose. I couldn’t help but think about wild voters in 2010 who seem eager to cut off their noses to spite their faces.  That Georgia Senator has a staffer who evidently wrote something ugly on a blog when he or she should have been protecting the farm bill provisions on crops, nutrition programs and renewable energy so our southwest Georgia troops can return home soon rather than being entangled in hostile oil-rich regions of the world.  Pyrrhus and I wouldn’t have been cool because I am selfish and hella practical.  

I am pleased to see the White House finally pushing their supporters to the polls with references to their legislative record–talk about your Pyrrhic Victories.

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Voting, Flame throwing and Football

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on September 21, 2010| 6 Comments »

People who skip voting this year are nuts who should be shunned.  In rural Georgia, we spend hours every Friday night at high school football games but early voting takes less time than a marching band’s halftime show.  What’s up with this one or two tubas stuff?  We had an army of tubas back in the day but today I can’t feel the bass.  In the political arena, I am hearing too much from the highs and little from the bottom (the bass or base).  We are selecting decision makers and nothing tickles off your fancy boss more than knowledge that his vote carries as much weight as yours. 

After the success of the Clinton’s presidency, Gore should have been a shoe-in if the working people they helped simply would have voted.  If you don’t vote, you have zero right to gripe and moan about governmental policy.  Hell, we should have paid attention to the process starting in the primary season because good candidates from any party should be heard. 

South Carolina GOP Rep. Bob Inglis has spent the time since his primary defeat telling it like it is. He should have spoken sooner because some of the cats about to take power are out there–really out there.  As President Obama says, they are concerned Americans and their commitment is admirable but let’s be civic.

Support reasonable candidates from both major parties because those people Inglis calls the Flame throwers are reckless.  You don’t want to win a high school football game in a dirty manner and the same should apply to elections and governing.  After winning elections, winners must then govern.

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2010/09/21/am.inglis.gop.moderates.cnn

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Election Night: Worst-Case Scenarios

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 12, 2010| 2 Comments »

I was in a discussion this weekend about the worst-case scenarios for election night in November; the situations and outcomes that should have been debated and considered now. 

Lately, the GOP in Georgia has been taking heat in my community because African American (AA) candidates Dr. Deborah Honeycutt and Melvin Everson couldn’t make it out of their primaries; the GOP voters spoke and the message bounced from GA to DC. 

Former Governor Roy Barnes, who beat a field that included long-time Attorney General Thurbert Baker, heads the Democrat big ticket.  The Black community supported Barnes for governor over African American Baker because they thought he had the best chance of winning.  Frankly, a Black president and a Black governor at the same time just weren’t going to happen in the Deep South.

Barnes’ strategy seems to center on adding White moderates to the Dem base.  But courting the center requires running from President Obama and national Democrats.  Once again, the base gets taken for granted.  Barnes and conservative Democrat Jim  Marshall are slamming Obama’s health care reform with a risky passion but hey, what can the AA voters do since they won’t vote for the GOP candidate? The wild card in the race is Libertarian John Monds who is a Morehouse Man and Omega Psi Phi just might get enough votes to tip the election. 

The big Dem ticket includes AA candidates Michael Thurmond, U.S. Senate; Darryl Hicks, Secretary of Labor; and Georganna Sinkfield, Secretary of State.  While I think every candidate runs to win, my friends feel these candidates real value is to get out the Black vote and to help Roy Barnes secure the Governorship. 

We must read the signs…literally.  If you see a campaign yard sign for the GOP candidate for governor, you also see a cluster of other GOP signs.  The same situation is true on the Dem side in my community.  On the other side of town in areas of people who don’t look like me, you see Barnes signs and that’s it. 

In other words, the White support Barnes will receive could only be for Barnes, the White and Black congressional Blue Dogs and that’s it.  Is it every man for himself?  The Dem ticket is D.O.A. without new voters who love President Obama and we are noticing the slighting he is receiving from his team. 

That slighting seems to justify the vigorous campaign for Sanford Bishop’s seat.  Okay, let me get this right: one of the most conservative Black members of Congress gets the biggest target.  Mind you, Rep. Jim Marshall’s district was won by John McCain in 2008 and Austin Scott, the GOP candidate against Marshall, has a functional relationship with Blacks in his district and Blacks in the state legislature.  Bishop must be flattered because the GOP really wants to remove a moderate CBC member so that the CBC will be as liberal as possible as they prep for 2012.  The GOP is good at being bad. Dam good.  Marshall isn’t catching the heat that some Blue Dogs are experiencing because he remembers Polonius’ speech from Hamlet—To thy ownself be true- and he votes “no” on major Dem legislation before bragging about it back home.  They must think real Democrats won’t notice. 

The worst-case scenario would be that all of the big ticket Blacks will end up having a bad election night while Marshall and Barnes win.  If the governor’s race goes into a runoff, you can best believe my community would not come back out.  Barnes is a smart guy and has time to adjust his approach.  I am going to need President Obama himself to personal explain why we should care about Marshall. 

Another worst-case scenario would be far Right conservatives taking over the congress; people who have little involvement or past interaction with folks different than them.  On Meet the Press today, David Gregory played an old clip of Rudy Giuliani talking about the big tent that is the GOP and their numerous moderates.  When asked if that was still the case, Giuliani didn’t have much to say.  Rep. Jack Kingston under congress as a firebrand in the early 1990s but the tide as changed so much that GOP Rep. Bob Inglis of South Carolina, who lost to a Tea Party candidate, rightly points out that Kingston is now one of the only the voices of reason in South congressional politics. 

On the bright side, President Obama’s White House might be pulled toward the center after election night or maybe before.

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Obama vs. Democrats: Like a Dog

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on September 7, 2010| 3 Comments »

President Obama said, “They talk about me like a dog.”  But, who are they?  I am tired of hearing rough talk about this White House from Democrats eager to toss whomever under the bus to win reelection.  Of course, some political observers think this plan was cooked up in the House Speaker’s office, the DNC or maybe the White House itself. 

In Georgia, Rep. Jim Marshall and Governor candidate Roy Barnes aren’t mincing words about their disdain for the healthcare reform law.  No Bush or Clinton would take this from inside their party; Hillary would be on their blanks.  If the Democrats continue offending the base, they are toast.  Recent polls indicate that losing one or both Houses of Congress is a forgone conclusion so let’s have the losing ones be those who don’t understand loyalty. And if some Republicans must be elected, we should hope they aren’t the crazy ones who are hell-bent on fear and division. 

I thought a dog was man’s best friend but some of these Blue Dogs are biting the hands that feed them.  In my community, we might need to take a better look at that Que dog, Morehouse Man  and Libertarian running for governor, John Monds.  A dog can’t stop an attacking elephant or donkey but one can make them think twice and you must admire Monds’ dedication to what he believes.  

The people Democrats are trying to help are the same people who took three hours to see the movie Takers this week but they can’t take 10 minutes to early vote.  Al Gore learned this the hard way and President Obama doesn’t deserve this from his party. In my corner of Georgia, the congressional Blue Dog has earned our support.  Can you say the same about yours?

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/sep/06/barnes-says-health-law-could-be-devastating-georgi/

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10 Questions for 2010: Blue Dogs, GOP candidates, Political Journalism

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 2, 2010| 2 Comments »

3.  Are some Blue Dogs sidestepping the political heat?

First, I have an original Blue Dog pin and will never sell it on Ebay.  Blue Dogs are a unique breed of moderate to conservative Democrats, but they aren’t Republicans.  If you think about it, the Democrat Party looks like America with diverse groups at the table debating issues.  President Obama has a bold policy agenda and at some point the issues are too progressive for some Blue Dogs. I was working at the Congress on the day current gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal switched to the GOP—we liked Nathan the day before and we liked him the next day.  Deal’s departure seemed natural or organic for a person from his conservative district.

Congressmen walk a thin line between party loyalty and independence but when the GOP needs their members, those members are there.  Why can’t President Obama have that same loyalty on historic votes?  Loyal Democrats are catching “hot heat” for the healthcare reform vote while others are chilling in the shade.  The same Blue Dogs who ran campaign ads featuring their support of a GOP president will be slamming Obama and congressional Democrats on the air this fall.  These members are tossing fellow Blue Dogs under the bus.

4. Are some Republicans uncomfortable with non-GOP supporters?

Have you ever seen a candidate who doesn’t want public support?  To be honest, some Black activists took a backseat during the Obama campaign so the effort did not seem like a Black v. White situation (which it wasn’t.)  In a similar situation, some GOP candidates seem to downplay their supporters who are Democrats because their base might feel they are slipping to the left.  Say What? 

I think most candidates enjoy any sincere support, but the campaign staff often comes from the red meat selection of their party.  When the campaign event comes on the local news, I want to see a crowd that looks like Georgia.  We must highlight Georgia’s history of peaceful living as an economic development tool. Companies don’t want to bring jobs to a region if they think employees will be fight a mini Civil War in the break room.  In the era of the angry mob, GOP candidates with a range of supporters deserve respect. 

5. Are Fox News and MSNBC putting political agendas over journalism?

I love CNN because the reporting is balanced—literally.  This Georgia based operation puts pundits from the left, right and center on the stage at the same time.  Fox News and MSNBC seem to execute a political agenda that flexes the traditional rules of journalism. While I watch these channels for diversity reasons, I can’t help but think that the slant is blatantly obvious to some and not to others.  Glenn Beck was correct when he said that his job is entertainment—not running the nation.  I hope other Americans know that.

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Southern Politics: Check Please

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on August 11, 2010| 3 Comments »

The field for the general election is in place and our community needs to check and double-check every aspect of our situation relative to political realities.  The candidates’ records, actions and potential must be checked along with their staffing histories and efforts regarding whole community representation.

When we watch the news reports, we always look to see if the crowd behind the candidate looks like Georgia—you know what I mean.  Candidates were pulled or naturally gravitated to the far end of their parties during the primary but can they seriously think about winning without a functional relationship with the center or our community. 

I am putting fresh batteries in my remote control next month so I can flip the channel during the coming onslaught to T.V. political ads with candidates wearing denim shirts, playing with children, sitting on tailgates and walking with dogs.  That stuff is nice but some of that ad buy money could be checks for real events with real people so they can get a real ear full and create a real bond.

The political establishment smirked when two candidates I know personally went on walks to meet the people but those guys learned a lot from a range of Georgians.  As a community, we should fairly give everyone a listen and ask tough questions because the future of his nation is on the table and it is no time for grandstanding or playing political fear factor.  The Democrats are about to rollout the mother of all GOTV efforts and some folks are going to have a very merry Christmas from those fat checks but please ask the candidates and their supporters what’s the plan for creating jobs, fighting crime, improving education, and supporting our troops…oh yeah, and do it on budget.

The Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania made a good point on T.V. yesterday. Pat Toomey said that the GOP “check” of the Clinton White House after the min-term elections actually helped Clinton’s presidency.  But it must be serious Republicans with genuine policy experience rather than those who live off fear and ugliness.  “Checkout” Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as an example of Harry Truman-like leadership. 

Sadly, we must check the laundry list of Black GOP candidates in Georgia who didn’t make it to the general election.  It might be time to check into a more open election process so this Democrat could vote for Black conservatives with taking the GOP primary ballot.  Is it time to check if they want you arround becasuse some quality candidates didn’t stand a chance.

We need to check with the White House about the Democrats who keep running from President Obama.  In my neighborhood, we don’t play that while we are fighting to protect the seats of good Democrats.  If you check, President Obama has more Republicans in his cabinet than Congressional Black Caucus members and the southwest Georgia congressman was the only CBC member seriously considered for a top spot.  Obama might need to check under his tree in December to see if we groomed a sensible congressional GOP freshmen or two.      

If this blog post seems like Czech to your campaign, write me a check or hit Palpay and I will help you understand.  If I get enough checks, I can checkout my old friends in the Czech Republic after the election. Prague is lovely that time of year.

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Rep. Bob Inglis: Tell It

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on August 6, 2010| 1 Comment »

Whew, the Democrats are so lucky that the Republicans aren’t listening to certain members of their team.  Bob Inglis of South Carolina didn’t survive his primary so he is free to tell the truth.  Glenn Beck bumped heads with Inglis but Beck also told the truth when he said that his job is a form of political entertainment; it’s not his job to run the nation. 

In an interview with Chris Matthews, Inglis mentioned a list of GOPers whose brand of conservatism appeals to the center, independents and rural Democrats: Rep. Jack Kingston, Rep. Paul Ryan, and Sen. Lindsey Graham.  Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King played well off each other—some say it was planned.  The general idea was America could deal with one or the other.  The above list and a few others seem reasonable compared to the Far Right crew that push Inglis from office. 

When Rep. Ryan, a former congressional staffer, talks budgets and planning, smart Democrats know he should be on the top of their presidential watch list and know that he won’t be.  As we say down here, that would be too much like right.  Chuck D said in his lyrics, “This is the true tale..how the one who wins is the one who fails.”  Winning based on hate and fear is like the days when we  couldn’t play football in the SEC.

UPDATE: I finally caught an interview with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.  Again, for the last time, is this thing on, this guy is the type leader who gets down to it with out the junk and mess.  If you’ll listened to him as much as you listened to some other folks, you would be much better off..we would all be much better off.

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Obamacrats: Get Smart and Scrappy

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 23, 2010| 5 Comments »

I don’t care what anyone says; President Obama is exactly the president “candidate Obama” said he would be.  The problem is people don’t know how to listen.  He isn’t big on party politics because he didn’t spend that much time in the national arena before ascending to the top.  That’s why he is constantly looking for Republicans with whom to work.  He thinks that is natural and logical in D.C. 

Of course, the GOP leadership dares their members to seriously dialog with the White House—let them fail so the Red Team can take the presidency in 2012.  Can any good American really say “let them fail”?  “I hope Hurricane Katrina kills thousands so the Democrats can win in ’08.”  “I hope BP’s oil reaches Key West, turns and goes up the East Coast so we can get the White House back.”  How sick can someone be to think those thoughts? 

I don’t know the plans of the Democrats or Republicans but we Obamacrats still believe in changing the way Washington works.  (Okay, this is just me thinking out loud.)   First, we must remember that Obama is not Superman or the second coming.  He is a very smart person and I think he is malleable.  The president would come toward the center if it produces results and keeps decent conservatives from drifting into radical ranks on the far Right  The center is mandatory to lead in America–belive that.

The situation with Mrs. Shirley Sherrod shows what I have always known: Obama is not familiar with the plight of southern Blacks because he thankfully has not been through our troubled past.  I am glad the brother grew up around sweet people and it reflects in his considerate nature but is he mean enough to scrap like Clinton—Bill and/or Hillary.  Mrs. Sherrod’s Baker County, Georgia, is similar to Hope, Arkansas so Bill knew how nasty things could get.  Speaking of nasty, we should discuss the fact that thuggish youth of all colors are more of a domestic terror threat than the Klan and the  Taliban put together.  In the public policy arena, one must have a certain amount of nasty in them. 

How can we help our community during this election season?  We should support our traditional candidates but develop a line of communication/dialog with a select group of reasonable conservatives (wrestle them from the Far Right.)  If a candidate is lock-step with the far Right’s approach of misinformation and hate-speak, they should be defeated for pitting Americans against each other and scaring folks for political gain (the same applies to the far-Left.)  

In the 90s, our community overwhelmingly supported the Democrats. When Newt Gingrich and company took the Congress, we were toast.  Conservatives vote when the only election on the ballot is a run-off for dogcatcher but our community is fickle about hitting the polls. 

Obamacrats (Republicans, Democrats, and Independents) should dialog on understanding, policy and logic. Personally, I could trade a few anti-Obama Blue Dogs for conservatives who are about dialog with the whole community.  Senator Johnny Isakson would be the best example of such a Member of Congress and moderates should have as much influence with him as the Far Right.  Those conservatives would be essential for this White House over the next two years and the people will decide in 2012. 

President Obama is one of the smartest people in American history but he can’t know everything.  We remember governing without our community’s input and must work to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.  The African American community is very diverse and our conservative brothers and sisters believe in a limited government than in many ways makes good common sense.  They should talk with their other family about the questionable methods and techniques of the recent past because maybe we can make progress or at least peacefully function. 

I still believe in the version or incarnation of Newt Gingrich that simply stated that the limited role of the federal government was to foster an opportunity for children to grow, learn and achieve if they focus, work hard patiently and keep it clean.  If not, the life they get will be the life they made.  I can live with that. 

I can’t live with people who benefit from the Obamacrats but ignore us or worst slam the White House.  Obama is a nice guy but the rest of us grew up with these scrappy Tea Party people.  Scrapping and calling someone out is nothing new to us.

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Murphy, Honeycutt, and Scott On Trail In Georgia

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on July 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The 13th District congressional race in Georgia is interesting because Dr. Deborah Honeycutt is again facing Democrat Rep. David Scott.  Former Honeycutt campaign manager Michael Murphy is also in the race but as a Democrat.

When Murphy decided to move from the GOP to the Democrats, I was surprised and disappointed that a comfortable place did not exist for someone like him in that party.  As a Democrat with many conservative friends, I like options and choices for southern voters and don’t get me started about putting all of our eggs in one basket. 

Some observers think that the move farther Right signaled moderates and centrists toward the GOP exit door—let’s hope not.  But, my conversations with Murphy in the past have centered on a lack of an urban agenda in the GOP; which is sad because the party of Jack Kemp shouldn’t be that way.

Dr. Honeycutt has always seems like a positive person and should she enter congress I don’t see her standing idly as ugly rhetoric becomes the foundation of the GOP agenda.  In that regard, I think all voters should keep a hopeful eye on GOP candidates who are about constructive policy-making and yes, there are several out there. 

In a recent T.V. news story, Scott, Murphy and Honeycutt pounding the pavement as the primary election approaches.  Like Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a health competition keeps all involved sharp and keen.   

http://www.11alive.com/news/politics_govt/story.aspx?storyid=146049&catid=12&GID=8F2NzPXAx2JQvPfbdDgU6nR7C+hayMyaTYusKTUf6YI%3D

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The Political Slate

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on July 6, 2010| Leave a Comment »

While blogging has been interesting, the time has come to put political concepts in play or as my daddy use to say “take it out of the talking phase.”  Americans have been attentive to politics and policy continuously for the last few years and that is a good thing.

During this important election year, the collected knowledge of the voters could make this of the most informed elections in history.  The major political parties are in a state of flux so let’s hope this transition period will produce healthier, goal-oriented policy-making in which leaders consider the people and the future more than money and power.  Yea, right.

Moderates and centrists should hope for a reduction of the classic political party slate. Getting our whole community to blindly support every candidate in one party is insulting on some level; especially when we see that parties don’t always monitor the legislative activities of officeholders.  But if the candidate has a “D” or “R” on his or her jersey, we started with the assumptions.

I appreciate the Democrats who battle with the Far Left over wild spending and expanded size of government.  More Republicans should do the same with the Far Right when they generate rhetoric that fires voters’ blood dangerously.

The Slate is a relic that should be blown off in the general election; if you like a candidate from another party, you should vote for that person.  In a complex twist, we should stop hating the other guys for being so wrong and hope that a few of them add reason and logic into their debates, plans and discussions.  We shouldn’t think that voting for all Democrats is helping the Democrat Team and President Obama because some Ds are in it for themselves and a few better Republicans could look at the others sternly when they start with that crazy talk.

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Obama or Bill Clinton On The Georgia Campaign Trail

Posted in African Americans, Convention, politics, tagged , , , , , , , , on June 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

In the Fall, Georgia should have a campaign visit from one or more of the Democrat Big Three: President Obama, President Bill Clinton or First Lady Michelle Obama.  Where is my ticket or can I get the hook-up.  The logical facility for this historic event would be the Macon Coliseum because Georgia is the biggest state this side of the Mississippi River and logistics can be a bear. My county, Worth County, is half the size of Rhode Island.   

Macon would mean that Georgians could drive equal distances to the venue and the congressional districts that need a little Dem star power converge in that region (the 2nd, 8th and 12th districts.)  The problem that the congressmen from the 2nd and 12th have nice relationships with the White House while Rep. Jim Marshall from Macon has chosen to go it alone. 

In the early 90s, I was worked for the Democrat congressman who represented Augusta and Athens, and a visit to the district from Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary was on the schedule.  A reporter asked my boss if he wanted Bill Clinton to campaign with him in Georgia and the congressman said basically he would do his own campaign.  O’Leary call our office and when on about “Bill is my friend and you don’t ask me to help you and disregard my friends.” 

Secretary O’Leary is currently the president of Fisk University and is saving that historically rich Black college from the brink of closure.  Fisk alumni include W.E.B. DuBois, Nikki Giovanni, Congressman Alcee Hastings, James Weldon Johnson, Congressman John Lewis, Mrs. Alma Powell and Secretary O’Leary.  In 2005, the financial situation at Fisk was so dire that they considered selling artwork given to the school by painter Georgia O’Keeffe.  If anyone can save Fisk for future generations, O’Leary is that person. 

When the White House and the DNC consider where to dispatch the big guns, Macon should be at the top of the list.  If not, Rep. Marshall must have said “no thanks”—a move that hurts the entire Dem ticket in Georgia.  Albany State University or Fort Valley State University would host a big three event but the Georgia Dome will likely get the nod and Rep. Marshall will not think about being on that stage.  They should send Hazel O’Leary to rap with him.  “Look here…let me holler at you for a second, partner….you don’t ignore Bill nor this outstanding young couple in the White House.  Keep this up and you will find yourself by yourself.” 

Secretary Hazel O'Leary

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Georgia Primary Voting

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, tagged , , , on June 14, 2010| 3 Comments »

I went to the courthouse today to vote and not for actual court—which is a good thing.  The Democratic primary found me voting for the incumbent congressman and was uneventful except for two races.  In the U.S. Senate race, R.J. Hadley got my vote at a political forum this weekend because the guy has worked hard in this Georgia heat that is hotter than fish grease.  In a minor race, I ghost voted because I didn’t know much about any of the candidates.

Michael Thurmond and Johnny Isakson are giants in Georgia politics but Hadley has a bright future in public service.  On facebook, a picture of Hadley at the Democratic National Convention seemed encouraging to me.  He had an optimistic look on his face as the party selected Barrack Obama and he continued that hope for better communications between all Georgians by speaking and taking questions at conservative events—that’s bold.  On the voting machine, Hadley’s first name was Rakiem and old school hip hop fans know the best M.C. ever is Rakim of Eric and Rakim fame—which I took as a sign.  Hadley is a leader in introducing moderate and conservative elements in the kitchen table issues debate in the Democrat Party so a nice showing in this primary is an investment in the political future.  Hey, I saw the Oliver Stone movie “W” last night and Bush (like Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama) didn’t win a congressional bid but you know about later.   

 The Alvin Greene situation in South Carolina and Bush v. Gore in Florida tells us to take every vote seriously.  The Ghost Vote technique was employed in one minor race when I wasn’t crazy about any of the candidates.  Skipping that race is better than pulling an Alvin Greene.  “I thought I was voting for Al Greene and ‘Let’s Stay Together’ is the number one smooth jam of all time.’”

Let’s Stay Together my foot—you can’t keep a major political party together when some candidates are allowed to play it safe by skipping major votes and major national events.  R.J. Hadley is an Ivy League educated moderate Democrat who when to the DNC Convention with pride…I wish I had the coin to be there myself.  Georgia has a current Democrat member of congress who is also Ivy League educated and skipped one of the most important events in history to my community.  

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Southern Politics: The Audacity of Scope

Posted in Conservative, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , on May 4, 2010| 2 Comments »

The dictionary defines scope as the range of one’s perceptions, thoughts or actions.  A second definition is “the area covered by a given activity or subject.”  President Obama outlined his vision for a better America in his book the Audacity of Hope.  However, the hard part is implementing ideas into policy in a partisan nation where many of those who need improving don’t or won’t know it.

In the South, we need leaders with wider worldviews who can appreciate the salient points from the loyal opposition.  We need members of congress with scope.  The Republicans came to power in 1994 and the Democrats responded by accepting the moderate Blue Dogs subdivision in their party.  After the recent success of the Democrats, a similar subdivision on the Right seemed obvious.  Instead, we see a narrowing in the scope of southern Republicans and a national purification process in their ranks. 

The global economy is in flux and the South is competing with everyone for new job growth.  Companies might be reluctant to locate in what seems like a hostile environment.  Of course, people should stand firm in their believes but understand that in a democratic society other opinions should be respected. 

As a good southerner and proud American, I will discuss issues and solutions with a range of people and final actions could reflect a cross-section of views.  The “winner take all” mentality is sophomoric and reckless.  In military or political wars, you pray that you are strong and keen while also praying that diplomacy and common sense will avoid the need for conflict.  Some in the arena cherish conflict because division and fear are vital to their personal prosperity.  They should be ashamed of their ill-gotten gains. 

My friends on both sides want their political opposition to fail but will always discuss their rationale with others in hope that their views will improve.  We want other’s scope to widen.  In a more direct statement, the Right should seek counsel with the center in a manner similar to the Blue Dogs.  Most indications are that this won’t be happening.  We can call that the Audacity of Nope and it is unhealthy because leaders must dialog with a range of people to address problems and improve situations. 

My favorite politicians have always been those who constantly sought debate with everyone.  The better elements of the Right’s arguments rarely reach the correct ears—they are preaching to the choir.  When those elements are presented in wider circles, they come from the Blue Dogs who understand the diversity of our South.

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Southern Politics and Faith: Covenants, Oaths, and Pledges

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on April 21, 2010| Leave a Comment »

In elementary school, my classmates who attended the Kingdom Hall made me proud when they stood by their faith by not standing and pledging alliance to the flag.  I love the flag and the republic “for which it stands” but I also learned tolerance, diversity and understanding from watching and appreciating others.  At the Methodist church, we studied Moses and his brother Aaron, the goldsmith who fashioned the golden calf while Moses was away receiving the Ten Commandments.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol…”

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”

“Take care not to make covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going.”

Covenants, oaths, and pledges have always created fuzzy areas.  In college, some students were uncomfortable bowing and pledging their loyalty to fraternal organizations in ceremonies that seems religious or sacrilegious because they were based on ancient cultures.  Others saw swearing membership as joining the most noble knights or groups that defended the Christian faith like the Crusaders and the Knights Templar who secured the holy relics—I watch too much History Channel.

Ray Boyd, a candidate for Georgia Governor, recently declined taking a short loyal oath to the Republican Party–Democrats don’t have a similar oath.  The discussion with my friends quickly turned to what is higher in a person’s commitment: God, family, state, nation, political party, race, gender, Georgia Bulldogs.  Don’t answer that. 

On matters of governance, GOP members puts party higher that the less-ridged Dems.  The Red Team is always leery of anyone who hasn’t taken a blood oath in the basement of their meeting hall or a purity test.  These tests are good news for the political middle because people push or prodded out are welcomed in the center and bring a fiscal fitness element to every discussion.    

In the South, one of the most famous personal allegiance battles was General Robert E. Lee decision to turndown the command of the Army of the Potomac and side with his beloved Virginia.  As a kid, I wondered how Black Vietnam vets must have felt when they returned to hometowns where their mothers could not drink from certain public water fountains and their kids could not swim in public pools.  “My country tis of thee…Sweet land of liberty.”  In my community, we favor the federal government over the state government for obvious historic reasons and angry talks of states’ right is naturally unsettling. 

How far does one take a political party oath?  If the members of the other party have valid legislative initiates, do you fight each and every provision for party sake or be fair for country sake? 

In Israel earlier this year, it was clear that their faith was priority one and the same could be said for members of their faith living around the world.  With Jewish history, that is understandable.  How do people in America reconcile the mandates of their faith with the broader views of our nation?  When followers of Islam attempt to create Muslim-based theocracy in the Middle East, we in the West get nervous but what happens when members of my faith attempt to do the same thing here.  Those founding fathers could have made life easier by declaring a national religion.

And if you join a new political party, there will be a 12 month waiting period to ensure that you are not a mole, plant or spy.  When I worked on Capitol Hill, we did not view Republicans as those who should be converted to our party.  We respected their points of view because they represented a segment of our state.  On the other hand, many on the Right govern by ignoring every other standpoint.  That’s not cool or healthy.

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Pivot: NCAA Basketball, Gettysburg, and Congressional Politics

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , on March 22, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I watched NCAA basketball, Ken Burns’ Civil War and the healthcare reform debate on T.V. yesterday.  Options and strategy came to mind involving all three. 

At Gettysburg, General Robert Lee called for Pickett’s Charge when everyone could see that a second plan of action or inaction was needed.  An officer in the field must assess the situation and make wise decisions.   On the second day at Gettysburg, Union General Joshua Chamberlain had his Maine’s 20th Infantry troops pivoted like a barn door on the hill known to history as Little Round Top.  This flanking maneuver stopped the 15th Alabama Infantry.    

In basketball, the “Dropstep” is a classic pivot move for a big player with his or her back to the rim.  The player must decide if he should do a sky-hook, turn and face the defender, drive to the basket or (if the double team comes) pass the ball out to an open teammate for a three-point shot.  The Dropstep move to the rim is a classic because the first step makes defending or blocking the shot difficult. 

With votes against healthcare reform, many Democrat members of congress made their first big step toward this year’s elections.  However, cumbersome southern GOP is likely not flexible enough to assess their options and execute a move to score.  That assessment involves analysis of their strengths and weaknesses as well as those of their opponents.  Is he out of position? 

Great generals and ball players also notice and exploit problems and confusion with the other side like General Washington crossing the Delaware River when his opponents were celebrating the holidays.  Democrats who voted against the healthcare reform legislation had genuine concerns with cost and the size of government.  They knew the November elections would be fine because their GOP opponent would be someone angry and off-putting to moderate voters.  If the GOP has smarter coaches, they would give the voters approachable options since some view those Democrats as Benedict Arnolds.

The GOP has a big man with his back to the goal that is shadowed by a tough defender.  The move would be kick the ball out to a three-point shooter if you have some of them on their team.

The Drop Step

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc9urNigJOA

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Southern Politics, Signs and the Big Chill

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on February 11, 2010| 1 Comment »

As southerners, my friends and I seem to spend “plenty time” watching for signs regarding this or that.  The signs could actually be our better judgment kicking in or guardian angels (dead relatives) whispering in our ears.  The continued bickering in American politics disenchants me—it is not supposed to be this way.  President Obama was right to reference the MLK adage “you can disagree without being disagreeable.”  What he doesn’t know is that fussing and creating mess is what some folks do on the left and right.

The Rolling Stones’ classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” has been in my head all week when thinking about those in the political/policy arena.  Senator Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts was a wake-up call for both political sides.  The Left should learn to take it easy on the center because not all of America is like New York City and L.A.  The Right should learn that I was correct for years: if they produce less bicker candidates in certain situations, they could get more of what they want done.  “You find sometimes…you get what you need.”

(Here’s the creepy sign part) So, I go over to you tube to hear the Stones tune and remember that it was on the soundtrack of the 1983 film The Big Chill—what a movie.  A useless fact is that Kevin Costner was the dead friend Alex in that movie but his flashback scenes were cut.  Can we flashback to the 90s when people could have a civil discussion on issues before voting no. In route to the cemetery, a friend says that her last talk with Alex was about him wasting his life—kind of like blogging.

 

I have a friend who could be deep in Georgia politics but is busy with a real professional and family life; I say help fix the nation for your children’s future.  For the years, we debated politics and policy in the cafeterias in the Congress and since then over the phone.  She is the reason I know that some people on the Right are actually well-intended but she could do more to improve their methods and techniques. (No reference here to “As Nasty As They Want To Be” by the Too Live Crew.)

 

In the Big Chill, JoBeth Williams’ character steps up to play the Stones tune on the organ at their friend’s funeral and her character’s name was Karen Bowens.  Oh my goodness, that name is a few letters off from my congressional friend Karen Bogans who should be back in the arena in some capacity.  It’s a sign I tell you. 

 

I created this seldom-read blog to share the Blue side of our debates and hope that she will share her views from the Right in summary or something.  This blog has a southern bridge on the front page to symbolize the bridge from our southern past to a brighter future. On the Big Chill part with the Stones song, the funeral procession goes over a bridge near Beaufort, South Carolina—thirty-nine miles from the Savannah, Georgia home of my old congressional staffing friend.  That’s deep. 

 

During the presidential election, I voted for change but fully realized that President Obama would need some people on the Right who would offer constructive criticism in the same manner they did during Clinton presidency and the way the Blue Dogs talked with both Presidents Bush.  During Clinton years, that opposition also helped chill the fiery elements on the far Left.  While I trend toward centrists, our community could use a little political diversity in the form of reasonable people like our Georgia Senators or we might wake up one day and find that the really radical elements of the Right are running things.

 

The Big Chill was all about old friends remembering what they planned and getting on the productive path.  Let’s bury some of this ugliness like they buried Kevin Costner and move forward.  

 

Big Chill Soundtrack–music clips

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Chill-Deluxe-Various-Artists/dp/B0001JXQCE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1265915656&sr=1-2

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Cadillac Records and Politics: Marketing the Blues

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 25, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

The cable channel Starz is playing the movie Cadillac Records and I watched it while thinking about politics past and present.  The film, based on Chess Records, chronicles the musical careers of Leonard Chess, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Etta James and Little Walter.

Chess decided to start a blues label to get paid from the emerging sound of “race” records.  Of course, gospel produced blues and blues produced R&B, and Rock and Roll is really blue-eyed R&B.  You can’t blame Chess for making money in the Black community—the same can be said for the White corner stores from our childhood and the Asian corner stores in our communities today.  Most of the artists in the film were happy if they had liquor, women and flashy cars but Howlin’ Wolf was different.  In real life, Howlin’ Wolf, Chester Arthur Burnett, drove himself to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta with $4,000 in his pocket. 

Though functionally illiterate into his 40s, Wolf returned to school, earned a GED and later took accounting and business courses.  He married an educated woman who managed is professional finances so well that he paid his band members decent salaries and provided health insurance.  To see Muddy Waters go to Chess repeatedly for money struck a nerve with me.  I remember hearing in college that Minnesota Fats was Etta James’ father but seeming someone look for validation from someone who is not interesting in them got on my last nerve. 

The same can be said about the relationships between the Black community and the two major political parties.  In Georgia politics, Blacks are the consistent base of the Democrat Party but Black candidates for high office will usually find someone jumping in the primary race who the establishment deem more electable.  I just realized that candidate for governor of Georgia Thurbert Baker has been state attorney general since 1997.  But, some in the Democrat establishment thinks former Governor Roy Barnes is the guy to take back the governor’s mansion.  We know that the next governor will likely be GOP in this red state so let’s hope their nominee is familiar with our community on some level.

The GOP in this state can’t produce a Black congressional candidate if left to their own devices because they don’t understand the moderate to conservative nature southern Blacks.  Leonard Chess was smart enough to let the artists do their things and Michael Steele should do the same thing with Black GOP candidates or White candidates who need Black support to win.  Of course, they don’t think they need Black or moderate support.  Did Chess and later Barry Gordy at Motown follow established norms or did they put it out there and let the people decide—sounds like Obama over the Clintons.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

(Cue Etta James or Beyonce crooning “At Last.”)

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Congressional candidates: Blue Dogs vs. Pure-Bred Republican Red

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 6, 2009| 3 Comments »

It sounds odd but I like the Kohler faucet ad where a couple asks an architect to design a house around a faucet.  The same logic should be employed—in my opinion- to select congressional candidates: start from the desired result and operation backwards, or start with the type candidate who can win in that particular situation and plug in the right person for that candidacy.  The faucet in that ad conveys a certain elegance and style which the couple feels reflects their lives and they want that continued in their home.  Can the same be said about “home” congressional districts? 

Georgia congressional politics in swing districts involves the left, the center and the right.  The candidate who gets two of those three segments can win.  Currently, the Blue Dogs get the left and the center in a skillful display of balance.  The right seems to have little interest in producing candidates with centrist appeal.  If the suburban dwellers that are center-right become more comfortable with the Blue Dogs (reacting to the anger of the protesters, the negative vibe of talk radio and T.V. and the pending presidential bid of Palin) the right won’t be able to win swing districts—and they know it.  

But, what those of us in the center don’t seem to understand is that conservatism leaves little room for flexibility.  Conservative friends have been saying that for years but people would not listen.  Everyone remembers the classic Oprah show when Dr. Maya Angelou said people tell you who they really are when you first meet them—believe them.   Conservatives are not looking to build a winning coalition with anyone else; they are waiting for the rest of the voters to “realize” the error of their ways and move right—far right.  I still can’t believe that some on the right view Georgia’s Republican senators as liberals.  Really—not centrists or moderates but liberals.  Senators who national sources rank as clearly conservatives.  The same people are beating up Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham this week for not being real conservatives also. 

Okay, let me see if I finally get this:

 -Not every Republican is a conservative. 

-Not every Democrat is a liberal.

From those two theories, the 2010 congressional elections in Georgia look bright for the Blue Dogs because the traditional Democrats (liberals) afford them leeway to be somewhat conservative or centrist, but the conservative purists are purging their ranks of any Republicans who are not pure-bred red.  Putting the castaways in the doghouse—the Blue doghouse.

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Southern Politics: I am Confused…Again

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on September 15, 2009| 7 Comments »

Would someone be so kind as to explain southern politics to me because I am confused?  Georgia’s Blue Dog Democrats worked with President Bush and congressional Republicans on a range of issues because their districts wanted a certain amount of cooperation and civility.  In other words, Democrat voters allowed these congressmen leeway to function in the best interest of our state. 

Today, the shoe is on the other foot but Georgia Republican voters are not allowing their party’s congressmen the same leeway with President Obama (honestly, those congressmen personally don’t like the new White House agenda…personally.)  To me, this is the point where “D” colleagues quietly meet and remind “R” colleagues of past cooperation and the heat Democrats took for that cooperation—just be fair.

Look at it like this: I live in southwest Georgia and my congressional representation comes from a D congressman and two R senators.  I am generally pleased with all three but know that my R friends think the congressman is some now undemocratic or unconstitutional for not doing what they want.  Huh?

The guy wins elects by big numbers so his legislative actions should reflect the will of the people who voted for him—two/thirds of the voters.  On the other hand, an R congressman wins elections my similar margins in southeast Georgia.  A Democrat voter in that part of the state can’t get upset if that conservative doesn’t side with congressional liberals.

I am also confused when the will of the voters is likely wrong.  For example, most rural Georgia voters before 1970 supported laws and policies that treated Black Georgians as second-class citizens—see my point.  While opposition to the current Democrat leaders in congress and the White House is very vocal, the voters elected these leaders fair and square.  To go against the will of the voters would be un-American on some level.

Georgia Blue Dogs have generally been supportive of this White House but Democrat voters should not allow them to take our votes for granted while flirting with far-right voters.

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Sausage-Making and Georgia Congressional Politics

Posted in politics, tagged , , on September 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »

They say you don’t want to know how laws and sausage are made.  I have been in a slaughterhouse and worked in the U.S. House so maybe they are similar.  My sister once got upset with me for telling her children what pork really was…during breakfast.  “The filthy pig wallows in its own droppings but eventually he becomes the tasty product we are enjoying right now….care for seconds.” 

The federal law-making and budget process is not for weak- stomachs but in the end, you got to love this system of ours.  (This is the point in my blog posts where most people move on to more interesting parts of the web; so, I can write what’s on my mind without anyone knowing.)

In the mail today, my member of congress’s newsletter arrived and it appears that this representative is busy working for the people who put him in office.  While reading the details of his activities, he has done a lot to assist interests in our area that traditionally support the other major political party.  When the Dem team and President Obama is being demonized, where are those guys who could stand up and say, “They are helpful to my industry…some of those Dems aren’t half bad.”  If this were a schoolyard, kids would say, “I have been your friends since kindergarten but you get around some folks and act like you don’t know me…while they beat me up.”

Reasonable people know it is a process that involves negotiations, posturing and a certain amount of compromise.  As I have written before, it’s hard fitting a large nation comfortably into two political parties.  Ultra-liberals and ultra-conservatives jump up and down as if other views inside their party and this nation don’t exist.  I am no expert but it seems to me that the party or side that tolerates us centrists gets the balance of power. (At this point, no more than two or three people are still reading.)

I listened for hours to a radio broadcast of a health care town hall meeting with the most conservative Democrat in the Georgia congressional delegation.  While I have had issues with his lack of support for the White House, I can say he likely represents the consensus in his district since you don’t hear a peep from liberals there.  Moderates often wish for more-open minded southern Republicans and perhaps this member should consider making a party move to a more comfortable side.  Like the now-Republican and former Democrat who represents the Georgia mountains, it would likely be hard telling the difference.  

At the end of the day, we should make an effort to consider the complexity of the decision-making process; be mindful of the balancing requirements of governing and show some loyalty to those who have worked hard for our state.  For example, I don’t have a problem with Georgia’s senators but saying that publicly would tick off those who only watch Fox News and those who only watch MSNBC….thanks CNN for “fair and balance” reporting.  “And the Emmy for best T.V. acting in a drama goes to….”

What’s in sausage?  Everything.  What’s in laws and appropriations bills?  Everything.

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