OK, so I promised highlights from the Democratic Party Meetup that took place in Canton last night. But I can't say I expected to hear what I heard.
It seems that the local Democratic Party doesn't want the Meetup to survive.
You see, there are about a dozen Democratic groups across the county, from the Western Stark Dems to the Women's Club to the Sam Adams Society, all run out of Dem HQ and the chairman Johnnie Maier. But apparently Maier doesn't have control of the grassroots and doesn't want the Meetups to continue. At least he's not trying to shut it down, but there is word that he doesn't want Dems to attend.
As you can see
here at Swing State Project, there are some who are not happy with the way Maier runs the local Dems. Last night, I heard more of the same stories. I heard about volunteers going into HQ and either being ignored or controlled with an iron fist. I heard about candidates being ignored by the party or openly bashed (like me) in front of voters.
Now I'm the type of guy who wants peace all around. I want to know who my enemies are and I want them all to be on the opposite side of the aisle. Sad truth is that I'm kidding myself sometimes. I knew there was trouble in 2004, but I thought it was contained and not open public knowledge. I was wrong.
And it's all about control.
I went to the Meetup last night as two different people, a 2006 candidate and an activist looking to further the grassroots. That's what I am...I'm both. But I'm always an activist first, and if the same old party games (which lost us the last three elections, by the way) are going to be played, then my role as an activist will take precedent. Hell, after I'm elected, I want to help change the party to our roots anyway. Might as well start before the elction and THEN create change from within.
In 2004, the party was not ready for the grassroots, and we hit them hard. They tried to quell us by patting us on the head and telling us they needed us to do what THEY wanted. I still don't think they realize our power. The Republicans recognize our power (thus, the attempts to stifle 527s and groups who organize), but the Dems just don't. Lemme give you an example.
In October, John Edwards came to town on a campaign stop. Besides the party Chairman, two people spoke before Edwards....the candidate for State House and the candidate for County Auditor. I would be recognized from the stage (translation - they say my name, I wave from the crowd). So before the event, I went to everyone I knew in the crowd and asked them to chant "we want Jeff". Then, I worked a little magic to get a seat on the risers next to the stage.
When my name was called, the chant began. We want Jeff! We want Jeff! It grew until the entire place was chanting. We want Jeff! After about 7 times, the Chairman cut it off. I think he realized at that point what a grassroots candidate could do. He hasn't been nice to me since, once giving me grief for going to a Kerry rally with Bruce Springsteen where I was to be....recognized from the stage.....but this time in front of 60,000 people. So it was OK for him to do it in front of 1,500, but bad for me to do it in front of 60K?
So now the gauntlet has been thrown at the public, and the Meetups will continue. I'm so glad that Howard Dean is our chairman, because the Dems HAVE to understand who can bring victory back to us....and it's not the same-old same-old.
We will not go away. We will be heard, and if we have to, we will take back our party before we take back the power of the country.
Jeff Seemann