TNDP moves forward; Bill Freeman resigns

Today’s conference call with TNDP’s Chairman Chip Forester was most encouraging. In a forthright manner, Chip spoke about the importance of candidate recruitment and training, the launching of a new TNDP website and the resignation of TNDP Treasurer Bill Freeman.

Probably the matter of most importance in today’s call related to the survival of Dems in Tennessee. We must take back the House from the GOP in 2010. There is no other way to state the importance of this: the TNGOP is hellbent on redistricting; and, this is the only way this hateful bunch can secure ultimate power. Dems must focus on candidate recruitment and training.

The GOP has beat us in this area hands down. Our Party has been woefully inadequate at bringing up new Dems for seats. The Democratic incumbents have done little, if anything, to support other Dems who run for office. Money and resources go to the incumbents, but eventually those dudes retire, die or in the case of Hamilton County, get arrested. 2006 was a good example of the worst that could happen: Hamilton County had several good Democrats running for office from the 3rd Congressional to Judges to the 27th State House, but our Chair and Party focused on Harold Ford’s and Billy Long’s race. The only winner for D’s in 2006 in our county was Billy Long for Sheriff. Long is now serving time in Federal Prison in Arizona. Ford has not stepped in to run for Governor or to show up in Tennessee in eons. So much for putting all our eggs in two baskets.

Who will step into their shoes if we don’t have a plan? The rate of attrition is working against us. What about a plan to run someone for every office, not just those true blue areas? The Republicans do that. The GOP has never been daunted by strong Dems; hence, Senator Daschle and Governor Ann Richards both lost their jobs. That is troubling, but what is worse they lost to John Thune and George W. Bush. Sad.

Other news important to building a strong Democratic Party is an outreach to the netroots and a redesigned website. I have strong opinions on what should and should not be done. Hamdems used to be quite interactive and had a nice size and mix of readers. A big shout out needs to go to my dear friend, Alice, for her hard work and expertise on it. Unfortunately, a new regime came in and redesigned and ruined the site. They moved the blog off the front page over to some other area where no one visited. They made it look like a church bulletin with a message from the Chair and stupid fund raisers and events they wanted people to attend. Earth to Hamdems: online folks fundraise virtually not via the Kefauver or Marilyn Lloyd dinner. Therein lies the problem: Old Donkeys trying to enter the online world by doing things the way they always did in the past. It doesn’t work. Online Dem sites need to embrace readers and consider their input and not be like the GOP and try to shovel the message to a bunch of sock puppets.

Another favorable idea Chip discussed is moving the TNDP headquarters to the Steel Worker’s Building. I am all for that. Both the party and labor benefit by remaining close, we both need each other. Labor has always been the Democratic Party’s strongest ally: yet, the Dems (blue dogs) haven’t reciprocated so well with them in the past, but now “change” has arrived. Another big bonus is the Printer’s Union is also housed there. Whoot! A perfect fit.

Citing reasons, such as: party unity and donor inquiries, Bill Freeman resigned as TNDP treasurer. This is a big relief for me. Here is the TNDP statement:

Bill Freeman Resigns As Party Treasurer

Chairman Forrester Looks to Build Party Unity

NASHVILLE, March 27 -Tennessee Democratic Party Treasurer William H. “Bill” Freeman is stepping down effective immediately, Freeman and Chairman Chip Forrester announced today.

The decision comes as a result of several factors, Freeman said, including opposition to his appointment from some of the Democratic establishment.

“As I’ve made fund-raising calls in the last month, several long-time donors have expressed their concern to me that Governor Bredesen was not as supportive of me as I had hoped,” Freeman said. “By resigning now, I hope I can take away some of the criticism the Party has faced recently and give Chip Forrester a better shot at rebuilding a relationship with the Governor and taking the Party in the direction that it needs to go.”

Since his February 19th appointment, Freeman has been criticized for his past contributions to Republican candidates. Other commentators and Democratic activists have cited Freeman’s support of FONCE (Family Owned Non-Commercial Entity) as a source of contention with the Governor, who is pushing legislation to close a tax loophole benefiting FONCEs.

Forrester, while reluctantly accepting his resignation, said he respected Freeman’s decision.

“I think this has been a tough environment for Bill and a tough decision for him to make,” said Forrester. “I appreciate him thinking about what is best for the Tennessee Democratic Party, and I sincerely hope to build a productive relationship with Governor Bredesen going forward.”

Freeman is chairman of Freeman Webb, Inc., a real estate investment management and brokerage firm he founded with James A. Webb, III in 1979.

“Bill has done an outstanding job during his tenure with us,” said Forrester. “Serving as a treasurer and raising money is a demanding role at any time, much less during a recession. Regardless, Bill proved himself to be a successful fundraiser. With his help, the TNDP has raised over $60,000 in March alone.”

“My goal here at the TNDP remains the same: to build a strong organization that can help Democrats compete and win in 2010,” Forrester continued. “The problems facing Tennessee are too great for me to lose focus that goal.”

A replacement for Freeman has not yet been named. Forrester said he is beginning the search for a new treasurer immediately.

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