The New Democratic Majority or, The New "Democratic" Party of Artur Davis? I Report. You Decide.

 

A Noteworthy Endorsement for Artur Davis

One of the things I like about cold, rainy weekends is I have the perfect excuse not to leave the house and I can sit at my computer all day without being distracted by my real life.  I had the perfect excuse for not working in the yard, cleaning the patio/ furniture and running errands this past weekend.  I put on a crock pot of Turkey and White Bean Chili and got the reading and begin to notice a disturbing pattern...The New Democratic Majority are most of the same people who supported Artur Davis for governor in 2010, and, they are saying some of the exact same things about Dr. Joe Reed and the ADC now that they said then.

Peggy Wallace Kennedy says she will support Artur Davis for governor according to David Persons' report for the Huntsville Times (emphasis mine):

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, may have gotten his first celebrity endorsement for the gubernatorial campaign. Peggy Wallace Kennedy expressed unqualified support for him when I interviewed her on WEUP-AM earlier this week.

"I certainly think he has a good shot and I certainly will support him," Kennedy said. "Mark (her husband) and I both will. He is a fine man and smart. He could go down as one of the greatest governors we've had."

Regular readers know some of us tried to tell some of them Artur Davis was not the second coming of Obama, but it was never about Artur Davis, it was about replacing Joe Reed with someone who is more ahem acceptable, because there is the perception the democratic party caters to black voters at the expense of white voters.  Our rich southern heritage teaches us the greatest insults to some whites is to be seen as the party of black voters.  Ask former governor Don Siegelman and any democrat/ elected official(s) who dared defend the rights of black folks.

 Regular readers know some of us tried to tell some of them Artur Davis was not the second coming of Obama, but it was never about Artur Davis, it was about replacing Joe Reed with someone who is more ahem acceptable, because there is the perception the democratic party caters to black voters at the expense of white voters.  Our rich southern heritage teaches us the greatest insults to some whites is to be seen as the party of black voters.  Ask former governor Don Siegelman and any democrat/ elected official(s) who dared defend the rights of black folks.

It took a long time for the basic pattern established in ’64 to be reflected up and down the ballot, but today white southerners are almost as loyal to the Republican Party as they once were to the Democrats. GOP presidential candidates customarily win more than 70 percent of the white vote in the South, success that in the past two decades has at last trickled down to the local and state legislative levels. This is particularly true in the Deep South, which encompasses South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Exit polling was intermittent last November, but in Mississippi Mitt Romney gobbled up 89 percent of the white vote; with Barack Obama winning 96 percent of the black vote, this translated into a 55-44 percent Romney win in the state.
In this environment, Democratic success in the Deep South is mostly limited to district-level races in majority black areas. A number of African American Democrats represent the region in the U.S. House, with districts created and protected by the Voting Rights Act. But where white voters constitute majorities, affiliation with the Democratic Party is often the kiss of death for a candidate.

In a previous post, I asked who gets to decide is something is racism or someone is a racist, but I should have asked since when does the white, male, dominated mainstream media get to decide who/what/when/where racist racism occurs?  They are quick to tell African Americans to get past race, which is really code for STFU and let us decide when we are going to treat you fairly.

It's the story of modern day southern politics.

From the end of Reconstruction through the civil rights revolution, the South was an almost uniformly Democratic region. In 1936, for example, Franklin Roosevelt won more than 98 percent of the vote in South Carolina. Race wasn’t the only reason for the South’s shift toward the GOP, but it was the biggest single driver. In 1948, northern liberals inserted a civil rights plank into the national Democratic platform, prompting a walkout of southern delegations – which then coalesced around the third party Dixiecrat candidacy of Strom Thurmond. An uneasy truce between national and southern Democrats was reached after that election, but it was untenable. When LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the modern southern GOP was born. Nationally, LBJ crushed Barry Goldwater in the fall of ’64, racking up more than 60 percent of the popular vote. But Goldwater carried five southern states – winning 59 percent in South Carolina, 69 percent in Alabama and 87 percent in Mississippi.

We can pretend the split between the ADP and the ADM isn't racial, but deep down we know it's the truth. If it weren't there never would have been a split in the first place.

How can anyone go forward when the driver is stuck in "R" or reverse?~AF2010
 
How can Alabama Democrats go forward when the driver is stuck in "R" or reverse?~RedEye 2013

This is not your Daddy's Alabama Democratic Party...Or is it?

Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., shares a moment with Peggy Wallace-Kennedy, daughter of former Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace, prior to being introduced to the congregation gathered at the Brown AME Chapel in Selma, Ala., on Sunday, on the 44th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act.

Key words... a symbol of change in Alabama.   From where I sit I see lots of symbolism but very little change due to the deep racial divide within the Alabama Democratic Party.  The white wing needs the black wings vote in order to "win" elections, but after they win, they govern like republicans. When the black wing dares complain about their mist-treatment, or demand equal rights they are accused of being divisive, code for shut up, stop whining,  go along to get along.  

The present Chairman is trying to "reinvent the Alabama Democratic Party"  but what does that mean exactly?  Based on actions and comments it means getting rid of Joe Reed and his bunch of people.  There's only one problem with that...getting rid of Joe Red and his bunch of people will return the Democratic Party to the party of Segregation Today.  Segregation Tomorrow.  Segregation Forever.

So who are Joe Reed and his bunch of people?  

The Alabama Democratic Conference, formerly known as the Black Political Caucus of Alabama, was established in 1960. Its leaders were African Americans who wished to encourage all voters, but especially other African Americans, to vote for the democratic candidate, who at the time was John F. Kennedy with vice president Lyndon B. Johnson. The founders of this influential group include Arthur Shores, Rufus Lewis, Dr. C.G. Gomillion, Q. D. Adams, Isom Clemon, and Beulah Johnson. All of these individuals held respectable positions in their communities and were looked up to by the people, especially by other African Americans.

Since the time of its establishment, the Alabama Democratic Conference has only gotten more influential. In fact, it now promotes the democratic party throughout the entire state thanks to having many chapters and other affiliated organizations.

The mission statement of the Alabama Democratic Conference is simple. It is to "organize" and to "unify" the vote of the African American population and also to make the African American vote and opinion appreciated and respected. The organization worked tirelessly for ten years after its inception before these results truly began to manifest themselves. It was a long, hard road, but the members were simply not willing to give up on what they thought as important. Things really changed for this group in 1970 when it began to screen and endorse actual democratic candidates. This brought more attention to and knowledge of the group. The Alabama Democratic Conference also focused on having voter registration drives, monitoring voting, employing African Americans, and helping African Americans to be able to run for office and to hold high positions. Thanks to the group's hard work, there are now more African American elected representatives in Alabama than there are in any other state. While this cannot be due entirely to the Alabama Democratic Conference, it certainly wouldn't have been possible without its dedicated efforts and concern.

There are some (not to be confused with all) white democrats who believe this group and it's leader(s) have served their usefulness and it's time for the Alabama Democratic Party to unite, but that's kind of hard to do when one group takes the other group for granted.  What ever his faults ADC Vice Chairman  Dr. Joe Reed has always been reliable voice for progressive issues in Alabama.

Joe Reed served as Executive Secretary of the Alabama State Teachers Association from 1964 to 1969, where he became nationally known as a champion of employee rights. He was the key negotiator for the ASTA leading up to the merger with the AEA, and subsequently serves as Associate Executive Secretary of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) to this date. Joe Reed is also a member of numerous professional associations.

Joe Reed has served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention eight (8) times; he served as Chairman of the Alabama Delegation during the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. He is Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC) and Vice Chair of the Democratic Party for Minority Affairs, and he was National Co-Chair for the Committee of Educators for the Humphrey/Muskie ticket in 1968. In 2008 Hillary Clinton outreached to Joe Reed (before Barack Obama was viewed as a serious contender in the 2008 Presidential race), to be her pointman in the area.

In 1975, Joe Reed led the efforts to get equitable representation for blacks on the Montgomery City Council. His efforts resulted in four blacks of nine being elected. He served on the Montgomery City Council for 24 years. In the Democratic Party today, Alabama’s black representation exceeds all other states in the nation. For over 40 years he has led the effort to get more blacks elected and appointed to public office, including federal marshals, federal and state judges, members of the boards of registrars, legislators, county commissioners, city councils, and school boards. He drafted two plans that increased black representation in the Alabama House of Representatives from 13 to 27; and in the Senate from 3 to 8 in 1982, and 1992, respectively. He also drew a reapportionment plan that provided for 25% (two of eight) majority black districts on the State Board of Education. Alabama is the only state in the nation where the Legislature reflects the state’s population of blacks and whites.

As long as some (not to be confused with all) white democrats see Joe Reed and his bunch as the problem the Alabama Democratic Party will continue to be Your Daddy's Alabama's Democratic Party.

 Symbolism is nice, but substance is better. 

 I'm just saying....

Wednesday Links I Like

 Civil Rights History Comes Full Circle in Alabama

This is the kind of United States Senator representing the state of Alabama I wish we had, instead of the Senator we have. 

Wednesday Must Reads

FlexiGate:  Two versions of the same bill 

 

If it walks like a bribe and quacks like a bribe....

Florida Lt. Governer resigns amid gambling investigation

Nothing wins an argument like threatening to rape and murder your adversary eh?

White people are afraid to talk about race for fear of being called a racist

When the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then Peace will rule the planets....I am still waiting for the stars to align,  in the meantime Let the Sun Shine In!~ RedEye

Well, the fix is in

According to an article published in The Gadsden Times by Associated Press reporter Phillip Rawls Gov. George C. Wallace's son-in-law, former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mark Kennedy, will most likely be the person tapped to lead the rebuilding of the Alabama Democratic Party after the disastrous election Nov. 2.

Oh really now? And just what does Rawls use as the basis for his assumptions? Check this out;

Kennedy said he is talking with party members about possibly succeeding Chairman Joe Turnham if he goes through with plans to step down in the new year.

"I'm encouraged by their interest in supporting me as chairman," he said in an interview.

Uh exactly WHO are the party members he is talking with? Let me guess...it's the cats and other critters over at Left in Alabama who just so happen are pushing Mark Kennedy as the next leader of the Alabama Democratic Party.

I don't think Kennedy would be any sort of a reform leader for the party. At best, he might be a competent transition leader to the more youthful, more urban and suburban, more organized party we'd like to see. And get ready for some difficult PR because the national headlines are sure to be, "Alabama Democrats elect George Wallace's son-in-law to head party."

I'm not as concerned about Kennedy's relationship by marriage to former Governor George Wallace as I am his connection to former 7th district Alabama Congress Critter Artur Davis. Un huh.

Let's take a stroll down memory lane and go back to the controversy surrounding the annual Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing. Peggy Kennedy Wallace was invited by 7th district Congressman (and then democratic Gubernatorial candidate) Artur Davis to introduce Attorney General Eric Holder during the event, and Artur Davis tried to force organizers to rescind an invitation to the second most hated black man in Alabama besides Joe Reed Reverend Jeremiah Wright to speak at the event. Remember?

I've tried to give Congressman Artur Davis the benefit of the doubt. Really I have. I let it go when he defended The Azalea Trail Maids being the only representative in Inaugural Parade. I let it go when he said he was resigning as a member of the House Judiciary Committee so he would have more time to run for Governor. But THIS time he has ripped his drawers and shown me his natural born ebony donkey.

Alabama Congressman Blast Wright Invite to Selma Memorial

WASHINGTON (AP) - Alabama Democratic Rep. Artur Davis today criticized organizers of a planned commemoration of the Selma civil rights march for inviting former Chicago pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Davis said in a letter to organizers that the pastor's divisive rhetoric is inconsistent with the theme of the event and President Obama's message of unity. Obama left Wright's Chicago church last year.

The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute hosts the memorial march each year.

Officials with the museum did not immediately return phone messages Friday afternoon.

Davis also argued that Wright's presence - particularly any speaking role - could drive away other prominent invitees.

What divisive rhetoric Artur? What prominent invitees will Wright drive away? Who are you to criticize the organizers of the event? Who are you speaking for?

Organizers, please tell Artur where to go and how to get there. Please.

So why am I not surprised the fix is in for Artur Davis to be the defacto leader of the Alabama Democratic Party?

Why, indeed, "is Artur Davis even involved in this" unless it is another "windsock" political issue he is using to get right wing, conservative votes in Alabama? I see nothing at all Progressive about that sort of thing and I deplore "Windsock Politicians." Davis, is now lining up with the kind of "swift boating" Republicans and faux "patriots", who raised such a hue and cry over their SELECTED comments by Wright (and not the full text of his sermon) during the Presidential campaign. That does NOT sit well with me. It is now my opinion that Davis used his position on the House Judiciary Committee, and his seeming defense of our former Governor, Don Siegelman, simply as a means of getting the attention of a large bloc of Alabama voters, a.k.a "Siegelman Supporters". He initially got my attention that way. Sorry, Davis Supporters, but I can't go along with you on this one.

Why am I not surprised the Alabama Democratic Party is interested in Kennedy who is adopting republican talking points and spin?

He said Wednesday the national Democratic Party did a poor job communicating with voters about what was happening in Washington, particularly with a health care plan that even Kennedy said he had trouble understanding. That made Alabama voters fearful and angry, and they took it out on Alabama Democrats, he said.

To rebuild, he said the Alabama Democratic Party must do a better job of communicating with voters, must connect more with young people by developing college Democratic clubs, and must embrace higher ethical standards in government.

“The most important thing is not where we are today. It’s where we are going tomorrow,” he said.

Uh, I didn't hear Mark Kennedy out there communicating to voters about what was happening in Washington regarding the health care plan, as a matter of fact, I've heard more about/from Mark Kennedy in the past few weeks than I have in years. Alabama voters let fear racist temptations control them, that's what they took out on Alabama Democrats. Rebuilding the party by developing college Democratic clubs and embracing higher ethical standards in government??? Oh, OK. Snark And it's kind of hard to communicate with voters when effective, liberal/ progressive voices are suppressed, minimized and marginalized in favor of republican lite voice out of fear of offending the white, I mean right wing.

Why am I not surprised the neo liberals are spewing republican talking points like this;

Alabama Democratic losses were among the worst in the nation. There was no coherent message other than the need to preserve their own power -- witness all the arguments we saw here about the need to hold the Legislature because (cue the scary music) "you don't want Republicans to control the reapportionment process." That may be a compelling argument to a political insider, but the average voter cares a lot more about what you're doing with your political power and the Democratic message there was essentially *crickets*. There was not even a token response to the Republicans "they've been in charge for 136 years and what have they done?" argument -- it seemed like the Dems in charge totally forgot that voters do care about what you're doing, especially after 8 years of gridlock in a Democratic controlled Legislature.

Uh, democrats did need to hold the Legislature because(cue the scary music) we don't want Republicans to control the reapportionment process! Strike that poor and black folks don't want republicans controlling the reapportionment process. Poor/black folks don't want the republicans controlling their destiny.

I had a tinfoil moment this morning, thinking about this
After the next Census in 2010, the Legislature will have to redraw Congressional districts to reflect changes in population.

I could see this being the early start of a long term effort to influence the makeup of Congress by controlling how the districts are drawn. The GOP did this in Texas but couldn't wait till the 2010 census.

Is this going on in other states - political prosecutions to systematically purge Democrats from statehouses, so that the district maps look very different in 2012?

Just sayin

I wonder what part of you don't bring Kumbya to a gunfight don't the Alabama Democratic Party elite understand?

Democrats must be unapologetic and, indeed, fiercely combative in their pursuit of what is right for the American people. Anything less, particularly in light of the undeniable history of scorn demonstrated by Republic officeholders toward the interests of individual Americans over the past seven years, is pathetic and inexcusable.

Sorry but I just don't hear this coming from Artur, I mean Mark Kennedy.