Reply #37: I wrote to the head of the TN Democratic Party about Hobbs. [View All]

[Skidmore]

Here is a copy of the exchange.

To: Gray Sasser
Subject: Fred Hobbs


With Democrats like Fred Hobbs, who need Republicans? I read Mr. Hobbs comments on Barack Obama and his concerns that Senator Obama might “have terrorist connections.” Fred Hobbs sounds just like every rightwing fear monger we have been battling during the Bush administration. Now let me put this in terms this man probably will understand best…”You’re either with us or you’re against us.”



We have worked really hard to get a good nominee for the Democratic Party this year, a year in which change needs to occur before we go under as a nation. Too much is at stake. If you have any influence with Mr. Hobbs, please convey my astonishment and, yes, irate response to him regarding his remarks. Perhaps suggest to him that it wouldn’t hurt him to look as though he were a member of this party. If we lose the election do to the continued shenanigans of erstwhile party members like him, I will join loyal Tennessee Democrats in contributing to whoever is willing to step up and represent our party.


Thank you.

Sincerely,


---------------------------------------------
He replied:

Thanks for your note, and I appreciate the passion that you bring to our cause. I hope we can turn both Iowa and Tennessee blue this year.

I thought you might be interested in seeing the statement that we released this morning:

“The Tennessee Democratic Party is united behind our party’s nominee, Senator Barack Obama. Mr. Hobbs is obviously misinformed, and his statement highlights the perpetual efforts of the Republican Party, especially here in Tennessee, to turn internet smears and highly offensive gossip into their party’s message against Senator Barack Obama as we head into the General Election. Instead of debating the issues, the Tennessee Republican Party continues to rely upon slanderous and salacious tall tales. They are borrowing from the playbook first written by Richard Nixon and employed in the race against Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Tennesseans of every political persuasion are tired of these tactics.”

Best of luck,

Gray

J. Gray Sasser
Chairman
Tennessee Democratic Party
223 8th Avenue North, Suite 200
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
[phone]
[e-mail]