Booster Versus Denigrator-I went to a local Dem meeting last night

[liveoaktx]

where the candidates got up and spoke. The person running for county Chair said, basically, that she knew a lot of people were ashamed of being Democrats and afraid to tell people that they were, and she hoped to change that.

I hate hearing that kind of stuff. EVEN IF, and I don't know that that is even true, there are some Dems who didn't want to tell people that they are, should she have brought that up in her "Vote for me" speech? The county I live in used to be, about 15 years ago, 99 percent Democrat and is only a mixed county now, about half and half, because of a lot of influx from the city moving here, that are fundie Republicans. I still think we would vote more Dem than Repub if we were more organized, but we're up against some very organized Baptist churches, who also have people in office.

Anyway, my point is this: If this was the Chamber of Commerce that was trying to bring business, they wouldn't get up in front of people and say "We're ashamed of our city but we need to change that"... no, instead they would highlight all the good stuff and why somebody needs to join, in other words be a BOOSTER.

[oneighty]

1. Denial

of party affiliation in local politics where I live is common practice. I call them 'stealth' politicians.

I was heavily involved in state and local politics. It is a strange land where things are not as they seem.

Hang in there.

180

[MADem]

2. I hope you opened up a CanOWhoopass on her

If SHE is ashamed of being a Dem (and clearly she is, else she would not have mentioned it) she needs to sit down and shut up. We sure as hell don't need whiners like that in leadership positions. Who needs someone whose first impression is to tell you "Everyone thinks that y'all suck, but stick with me an they will like you..." Fuck her!!

Frankly, I am PROUD of being a Democrat. Proud as punch. Hell, our party is the only one with any friken conscience; we're the only ones who walk the walk in terms of things like poverty, health care, children, the elderly....our legacy is people who tried to make the world better; the GOP legacy is rich bastards who grab it all and get richer.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. the county Dem chair where I live

met with a group of independents/liberals who wanted to help them promote Kerry in '04. The Chair informed us that they weren't supporting him "because he doesn't like guns and he's a Yankee" and that they weren't going to do a THING to help, but they'd be glad to take our money to support them gain local offices. They left without any support, and we independently launched our own PR campaign. I've gone to the Dem committee the next county over and worked with them, and plan to do so again. (Why not try and change the locals? Because they are locals, and won't cotton to us 'Yankee transplants' taking over-and the county has a history of dirty tricks, intimidation, etc.)

[liveoaktx]

4. With you. I also have strong ties to other surrounding counties

which have very strong Dem parties. There's just no good reason that this county shouldn't, except that the people who have been in charge have set the tone for the last 5 or 6 years.