Alabama Dem state chair writes letter to editor to support Dean, DNC.

[madfloridian]

The Anniston Star had previously written an editorial saying the DNC was not giving attention to the state of Alabama. It was pretty critical of the Dean and the party.

Missing Donkey

Missing donkey
In our opinion
05-18-2006
When Howard Dean became chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he vowed that he would employ a 50-state strategy. No longer would Democrats hopscotch across the map to campaign only in the so-called blue states or handful of battleground states.

However, as The Star’s Brian Lyman recently discovered, in Alabama, specifically in our own 3rd District, Democrats plan to be stingy with campaign funds, the lifeblood of American politics. On the national level, Democrats will offer tepid support to Greg Pierce, the man planning to challenge incumbent Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston.

Guess calling it a 49-state strategy just doesn’t have the same punch, does it?

Then the chairman of the Alabama State Democratic Party writes this letter in support of Dean's strategy.

Star is wrong about the DNC

The editorial took tough swipes at the Democratic National Committee and Chairman Howard Dean for his "50 state (minus Alabama) strategy." That charge is not true and unfounded.

Chairman Dean and the DNC are investing thousands of dollars in Alabama over the next 30 months to build grassroots networks, voter files and media outreach that will become a long-term team party-building effort. In fact, the DNC chair was criticized recently by other Democrats for investing too much in state parties at the expense of targeted congressional races.

The DNC is committed long term to Alabama as part of a 50-state strategy and is putting its money where its mouth is. Their investment in Alabama will help our state party invest in our own "67-county strategy" to win local races and help candidates at all levels in East-Central Alabama.

Our 3rd Congressional District nominee, Greg Pierce, is an outstanding person and capable candidate. Our state party will be there with Greg and will do what we can to get his message out over the next six months.

More at the link and signed by:
Joe Turnham
Chairman, Alabama Democratic Party
Montgomery

More at the link

Good for state chairmen who are speaking out.

[BeFree]

1. Go Dean!

Alabama is not that far out of reach. In fact, no state in the Union is beyond becoming a blue state.

Excluding ANY state in the US from having the party work as hard there as any other state, is damned foolishness, and is part of why the party is such a mess.

[Larkspur]

2. Thank you Mr. Turnham for tackling Rightwing propaganda

Nice to see where Howard Dean's real support lies.

[madfloridian]

3. Couple of other interesting parts from the editorial.

This is the editorial that prompted the letter by the state chairman.

I picked out this part because of the statement about the region's culture and values. My first thought was that perhaps the culture and values of Alabama are not really that different. And if they are, then whose values nationwide should we honor? Old question, I guess.

More from Missing Donkey

In fact, we recently invited Chairman Dean to come down for a visit to our neck of the woods, a place, we reminded him, where a Democratic presidential candidate hasn’t won since 1976.

We told him that if he’s serious, then the national party he leads should reacquaint itself with this region’s language, culture and values.

I guess I think all people's views should be considered, but none should consider their values the only ones.

And one good part of the editorial is it's clear thinking about the Republican corruption. In fact, after criticizing Dean and the party for not coming there, the editors actually talk like Governor Dean has been talking about values in all his appearances. Maybe the word is getting out.

The era of government by the corrupt and for the corrupt is at an end. We’re witnessing the nasty downfall of what was called the Republican Revolution in 1994, with the story growing more sordid as we learn of more Republican congressman who soiled their reputations by selling out to lobbyists.

Next to nothing is done for the needs of the small-business owner or the plumber or the police officer or the schoolteacher. Their concerns — paying for decent health care, saving money for college or retirement, making sure their kids get the best possible education in a safe and well-equipped school —aren’t confined to one region, or to red states or blue states.

So maybe we are not so far apart after all.

[Cha]

5. This is beautiful! And

I hope it gives Dean encouragement when so many are opposing him and his strategy.

I was for the 50 State campaign before Dean was even Chairmen of the Democratic Party so you know how happy this makes me. :D

[madfloridian]

4. I found some good editorial cartoons at that paper in Alabama.

This one caught my eye. Love it.