October 2009 Dear Friends, I wanted to share some news with you about the progress we have been making. A quick look back over the last two years shows that our Williamson County Democratic Party membership base has grown by about 25 percent. For almost eight years now, we have kept our headquarters open year-round. Our voter turnout for Barack Obama in 2008 exceeded that of John Kerry in 2004 by about 8,000 votes. For the wealthiest county in the state—and one that traditionally produces about 70 percent Republican votes in Presidential elections—contributions to the Obama campaign virtually matched those received by John McCain in Williamson County, TN. The Democratic Party has been infiltrated...with an outside influx of new blood. And though we are all in rough seas at present, I believe we are on a good course. Recently, Democratic National Committee Chairman, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, visited with a group of Democratic organizers here in Middle Tennessee, and it was an extraordinary session. I was very impressed with him. He gave a great talk, and then he listened to our feedback and concerns with an even greater intensity. It is no secret that the Obama campaign brought all of us a long way, virtually reinventing how a modern campaign looks and acts. In my view, much credit is due former DNC Chairman Governor Howard Dean for his 50-state strategy, and for his revolutionary brand of grass roots activism and support. The State of Tennessee:  We currently have an extremely well-organized state party. The Obama campaign taught us all so much about how to organize, and our newly formed Tennessee Democratic Party has made dramatic progress in the past ten months. We are no longer just a party of candidates and campaigns; we are a party of perpetual purpose, working every day toward progress in Tennessee. It may not be immediately visible to all, but Democratic activists across this state have been busy building a coalition of organizers, training with twenty-first century tools, and reinventing our party. The TNDP Summit in May was extraordinary, the Jackson Day event in August was the most successful to-date, and the communications between state and county parties are ramped way up. Kudos to Chairman Chip Forrester, Vice-Chair Elisa Parker and the entire staff at the TNDP office for all of their hard work. Please visit http://www.tndp.org/ and sign up for news updates. You can join the Williamson County Democratic Party online group while you are there as well. The Future for Tennessee:  We are about 12 months from the 2010 midterm elections and much of what happens in Washington in the coming year will drive voters next November. The primary focus for all TN Democrats is winning back majority of the Tennessee General Assembly and electing a Democratic governor. I confess that I only recently learned of the extraordinary fact that Democrats have held the majority in Tennessee’s state government since 1869—that is, until last November when we lost it by a few seats. You may also know that 2010 is a Census year and that every 10 years federal congressional and state senate districts are redrawn by the party holding the majority in our state government. This will happen in January 2011. If we Democrats do not retake majority, we will pay a dear price for decades to come. It goes beyond redrawing voting districts, though; the majority party also has the privilege of appointing a number of constitutional officers:  Election Commissioner, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Comptroller, and more. You may have noticed that since the Republicans took the majority, in these times of extraordinary challenge they have managed to ignore the real issues that face us all, yet have seen fit to bring numerous ill-advised gun bills into law, with an assault on the TN Voter Confidence Act coming this January.  Our next Governor:  I am proud to say that the Williamson County Democratic Party has already hosted four of the five Democratic candidates running for Governor:  Ward Cammack, Sen. Roy Herron, Kim McMillan, and Mike McWherter. Sen. Jim Kyle will be meeting with our local party in Williamson County in the very near future. Tennessee Congressional Representation:  As important as it is to retake state majority, elect a Democratic governor and re-elect our Democratic congressman next November, we have two new stellar congressional candidates in Paula Flowers and Dr. Greg Rabidoux. Paula Flowers is running against former GOP chair Robin Smith for Zach Wamp’s vacated seat in the Third Congressional District, and Dr. Greg Rabidoux is running right here, Folks!—challenging Marsha Blackburn for the Seventh Congressional District seat. This is great news indeed, and we will be working hard to support him. (More to follow on Greg Rabidoux very soon.) The State of the Democratic Party:  I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to our cause, our principles, the progressive ideals we all share, and to this purposeful journey. I believe we are living in a time when it is more important than ever to stand up—and to stand true to who we are and what we believe in. Though I have no delusions that all is perfect with the Democratic Party, I know that we are the party of progress, equal rights, supporting middle-class values, creating economic opportunity for all Americans, fighting for quality medical care as a right rather than a privilege, environmental stewardship, economic growth and prosperity beyond that of corporate wealth, responsibility to community, real national security, quality education for all, caring for the elderly, and a fundamental belief in responsible government as a positive force for the common good. We are the party that will move America toward energy independence. “We are the ‘How Party’—America hires us when we are in a world of hurt.” I lifted that from President Bill Clinton’s Jackson Day speech:             “Don’t get on the defensive. Play offense. Stick with your congressman; help them do         the best they can with Health Care, help them do the most they can with Clean Energy,          help them do the most they can with Education. We will get this economy moving again,   we will return to fiscal discipline—if we stay in the majority. We are the How Party--    people hire us when the country is in a world of hurt. We can keep this going for 30 or     40 years — if we stand and deliver. But the worst thing we can do—is nothing.” Listen to the entire speech here:  http://www.vibincblog.com/?p=1528/ “The worst thing we can do—is nothing.” All politics is local and an organized and effective local party remains our highest priority. We are 100 percent self-supporting and 100 percent volunteer staffed. That means we need your moral support and we need your financial support. We have a number of Democrats who direct their banks to send us a check for $25 each month—some more, some less. We have online Credit Card and PayPal subscription accounts available. All donation information is available here: http://www.wcdemocrats.com/donate.asp    Please remember to include your name, address, profession, and employer information with all contributions. The State of the Williamson County Democratic Party — WCDP Headquarters Renovations:  As many of you will surely agree, it is due time that our Headquarters received some attention. We have been planning a frugal but effective interior remodel for a while now. We will be updating ceilings and lighting, adding ceiling fans, new flooring, and fresh paint and window treatments, along with some exterior touch-ups. We have a budget of $10,000 and we are presently about 75 percent funded.  So we are about $2,500 short. I for one am dying to get this started, but for practical reasons it is best to do this all at one time, not to mention that it is the more economical way to go. I am asking that we all pull together here and pitch in. Please consider making a Headquarters Renovation Fund Donation today if you are able. You may send a check to: WCDP HQ Fund, PO Box 122, Franklin, TN 37065-0122, Attn:  Tracy Halloran, Treasurer. To contribute online, click here:  http://www.wcdemocrats.com/donate.asp If any of you out there are in the renovation/home improvement business and you are willing to help with in-kind donations to our headquarters, please let me know. Also, we are looking for a few experienced painters to volunteer with interior wall and trim painting, and a certified electrician to do a little wiring. Thank you for helping us to keep and maintain our home in downtown Franklin. We are going to stay vibrant, active, busy and alive. We are going to take back the majority in 2010, elect a Democratic governor, and we will elect Marsha Blackburn to president of the Brentwood gardening club. In the meantime, the Williamson County Democratic Party will be over on East Fowlkes Street holding meetings, performing community service, organizing outreach, potlucks, town halls, parties and working for progress. Drop by and visit us soon!  Thank you. Respectfully, Todd Sharp, Chair Williamson County Democratic Party 112-B East Fowlkes Street Franklin, TN 37064 615.790.3659  info@wcdemocrats.com   Visit wcdemocrats.com for current events and opportunities to make a difference.   This week: _______________________________________  Saturday, Oct 24th, 8:00 am - 11:00 am Peace Prize Pancake Breakfast Location: Shorter Chapel, 263 Natchez St., Franklin, 37064 Presented by the Williamson County Democratic Women and Organizing For America Follow this link to sign up:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcxrm _______________________________________  Monday, October 26 – 6 until 9 pm The Williamson County Democratic Party presents: Make it Blue Monday - Volume XVIII Halloween Costume Party With live DJ, Dancing and Karaoke!!   Kimbro’s Café:  214 S. Margin St., Franklin, 37064 Join us for a casual evening of food, drink, music and dressing up—help support the WCDP. click for directions Costume optional. Suggested door donation:  $20   Paid for by the Williamson County Democratic Party.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Tracy Halloran, Treasurer