The Slow Schism Heal

By Kleinheider Posted on May 7, 2009 at 8:18 am

Jackson Baker on the after effects of an important speech by Lincoln Davis to the health of the Democratic Party in the state:

That act, Davis’ speech itself, and the very fact of his being there signaled to many in the crowd the pending resolution of a schism between Forrester and the party’s liberal wing, on the one hand, and, on the other, the party’s conservative establishment, represented by Davis, the state’s other congressmen (except for Memphis’ Steve Cohen, who stayed out of the factional dispute), and Governor Bredesen.

That much healing remains was indicated by the fact that the only congressman attending was Davis, who happens also to represent Monteagle in Congress. Conspicuously absent were representatives of the governor’s office.

As a result of a recent working compact between the party’s two wings, Forrester and his team will focus on party organization and grassroots efforts, while candidate recruitment and fund-raising will be the province of the establishment, with Bredesen and the congressional representatives having direct oversight.

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Tags: Chip Forrester, Lincoln Davis, Monteagle, Phil Bredesen, TNDP Summit  

Rep. Lincoln Davis Lays Hands On Chip Forrester

By Kleinheider Posted on May 4, 2009 at 7:42 pm

The highlight of the TNDP Summit in Monteagle: Rep. Lincoln Davis puts his arm around the chairman of his party and says the following.

“I’m not completely through yet set back down. Also about a year and three or four months ago, many of us thought Hillary Clinton was gonna be the nominee — and she would have been a good one.

But there was this young fella, who knew how to organize at the grassroots level. We’ve got a chairman who understands that, too. And those of you in this room understand that. It is the grassroots organization that will win back the majority in Tennessee. Chip, thank you.”

Forces allied with Davis have long been suspected (along with those of the governor) of being the instigators behind the recent discord within the party.

See the exact moment at this link.

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Tags: Chip Forrester, Lincoln Davis, Monteagle, squashing the beef, Tennessee Democratic Party, TNDP, TNDP Summit, Troll killer  

The TNDP Summit

By Kleinheider Posted on May 2, 2009 at 4:19 pm

It’s happening now. Cyrus is there:

Here we are at the TNDP Summit. Chip Forrester opened followed by Mike Stewart, our/my 52nd District Representative. They all said similar things about the consequences of losing races in 2010. Gary Odom is now speaking.

The party is tweeting the festivities. Check out Mary Mancini for to catch reports from her and others witnessing the action.

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Tags: Cyrus Shick, Mary Mancini, TNDP Summit