Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Kotz / Legislature / Politics / Presidential Politics Tennessee Democrats Have Only Themselves to Blame
Posted by Pete Kotz on Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 11:56 AM
“The top of the ticket lost it for Tennessee. We lost strong Democratic districts basically due to a lack of support from the national Democratic Party. The state party put up a good fight, but without national help they were hamstrung.”Seriously? Forget for a moment that Barack Obama produced the largest Democratic margins since LBJ, pulling in previously unwinnable states like Virginia, Indiana, Colorado and Nevada. Though it’s too close to call this morning, he may also bring home North Carolina. Let’s also forget that Phil Bredesen warned Obama against campaigning here, saying all was lost. And that the good governor rather condescendingly lectured Obama on courting the Wal-Mart vote. While we’re at it, let’s also blow off the fact that Tennessee Dems failed to recruit a decent challenger to Lamar Alexander. In North Carolina, their party knocked off Senator Elizabeth Dole. In New Hampshire, they took down Senator John Sununu. And in Georgia, Senator Saxby Chambliss may be forced into a run-off (though it’s too early to tell). But despite strong showings in other conservative states, Democrats here put Bob Tuke (D-Human Sacrifice) on the top of their ticket. Even with an unpopular war. Even with an economy that began sliding two years ago. Even when they would be running against a president who looked to be the New Herbert Hoover. Tuke was so weak Alexander took an extended fishing trip in the middle of the campaign. Though a better candidate may have still lost, something closer than a 65-35 margin would have helped down-ticket candidates. And you want to blame it on the national party? Instead of whining about Obama, Tennessee Democrats should begin learning from him. The president-elect may be one of the Senate’s most liberal members. But he won a campaign with the ingredients of old school populism – health care, jobs, the rhetoric of economic fairness. They’re the kind of issues that can defy party lines, that resonate when Mom and Dad are figuring out how to pay the bills at the kitchen table. This is the stuff that can – gasp! – even get a black guy elected. But if Tennessee Democrats continue sell themselves as Republican Lite – Motto: We’re Slightly Less Weird about Guns, God, and Abortion! – they’re likely sentencing themselves to an extended period of whining. Cheap facsimiles don’t exactly inspire people at the polls.
Comments (7)
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Pete, this is a wonderful post. Look at some of the Democrats who have been elected to the Senate since 2006 -- Tester, Webb, McCaskill, Casey, Brown, Hagan, Warner... tell me that same sort of moderate populist wouldn't play well here in Tennessee. Where are the strong candidates in the Democratic party and why don't they have the courage to run for state-wide office?
Blaming the national party is loser talk, blame your own flailing message and the lack of ability to entice good candidates to run. Just wait for 2010 when Gov. Frist takes over. Tennessee is doing its best to chase all of the relocated Yankees back north.
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Damn straight, Kotz.
We've had a run of Democrats from Nashville who run the city with middle-of-the-road policy-- never anything more visionary than the Titans, or a single "legacy" structure-- competence and big business/developer coddling.
Every statewide candidate runs far to the right. Harold Freakin' Ford ran as a conservative. The Democrats from outside the city ARE conservatives, just not as nutty as Smith/Hobbs (though there is no electoral penalty for moving farther to the right in Tennessee, until you bankrupt the state because there aren't tax revenues).
I pray for a Democrat in Tennessee to grow a pair. This sucks.
Leaders get the support of voters in volunteers and money. Losers sit around waiting for welfare from state / national groups and parties.
It's nice that you think that way, Charles.
The TDP blew it on by not getting on the most powerful wave the Democrats have had in decades. The Republicans got out there to vote against Obama, but the Democrats failed to use a lot of energy from grassroots party members who could have made the difference of a few percent in turnout in some of the districts.
The East TN districts were always going to be hard to keep. But 48 and 66 were a blown opportunity, and that west TN district was a tough one to lose.
I don't know what kind of strategy they have, but what they're doing is a failure.
What's poison for Tennessee democrats is presenting voters with candidates like Mary Pruitt. If some sociopathic, serial murderer, puppy-kicking gang lord ran against her, I'd be ambivalent about the outcome.
Frankly I am glad this happened. I am a bleeding heart liberal who voted for Obama. This is disgusting. The biggest Democratic wave ever in a presdential year, and we lose control of the entire legislature? Gray Sasser, meet me in the alley behind Mercy Lounge, because someone needs to kick your ignorant ass. Until the party starts deciding leadership on the merits of the candidates instead of their last name, nothing will change. I just hope that this is a wake up call.
