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Our Party BlogHave your say about all things democraticMarch 18, 2008SHERIFF NOMINATING PROCESS & CAUCUS WERE FAIR AND FRIENDLY--BY RITA FEHRING
I must protest Mr. Jim Winters' remarks on the news website www.Chattanoogan.com, specifically about his reception at the recent Democratic Party Caucus. The slam that he was treated in an unfriendly manner is untrue. He was welcomed that morning and at the conclusion of the caucus he received a standing ovation for being an honorable competitor in the political arena. A caucus is a political meeting which operates much like a focus group; you must succeed in presenting a compelling reason to be supported by that small group to win their votes. He unfortunately failed in his first effort to win votes. To win votes you must give people more than a great paper resume of your past. You must be able to respond to basic questions about how the sheriff's department operates to get votes from the members of the public who care enough about local politics to become precinct officers of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. This is the real reason that Mr. Winters did not receive the nomination of the Democratic Party. I was a part of the Nomination Committee for the Hamilton County Democratic Party along with Rodney Strong, Pam Ladd, Margaret Franklin, Bill Lusk, Russell Gilbert and Terry Lee. I am a former Chair of the local Democratic Party. Everything that our committee could do to insure a quality nominee was selected was done openly. Mr. Winters and Mr. Beck met for the first time at our Democratic Headquarters when they were asked to come in early one morning and sign off on the criminal background checks that our party required its candidates to provide for us. No secret dealings were taking place. Each man received from me, a copy of the full Executive Committee list of precinct officers to call and campaign for that individual's vote before the Caucus day. At the Caucus each man was allotted five minutes to make their "stump speech" before the body. Each man was asked questions and given two minutes to respond in open forum before the Democratic Party members and the press that lasted some 45 minutes. Mr. Winters had a fine resume on paper but like many first time candidates for office was lacking in public speaking skills. He did very badly when the question and answer period was in full swing and could not respond to several key matters that a sheriff needs to have knowledge of and recent experience with. Preparation is key in running a business or running for office. If you don't understand how something works the logical step is to educate yourself. Interpretations of election law, done in Nashville, allow Mr. Winters another chance to develop as a candidate and possibly win election to office. Members of the local Democratic Party were acting with honor, care and concern for the fairness of the competition when the law, which is strangely written, was pointed out to him. No effort was made to deceive, only to inform. Rita Lee Fehring ritazilla@gmail.com Chattanooga, TN Post a Reply... Most Recent Posts: 07/04: Fourth of July & Patriotic Picnic 07/01: Greg Beck demostrated he is most realistic choice at SETPAC last night 06/27: Beck will join other sheriff candidates at SETPAC Forum Monday Night 06/24: C-SPAN's Campaign 2008 Bus in Chattanooga Today 06/21: The Big Bounce: Obama increases his lead over McCain 06/21: Gov. Bredesen, Sen. Berke, Rep. Favors, and TN-ALFA Chair Bailes Promote Long-Term Care Community Choices Act 06/19: UNITE FOR CHANGE EVENTS 06/19: UPCOMING DEMOCRATIC EVENTS: JUNE 19-28 06/17: Democrats Celebrate at First Annual Marilyn Lloyd Dinner 06/16: Tonight: The First Annual Marilyn Lloyd Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at the Choo Choo 06/13: Congresswoman Marilyn Lloyd: Leader in Energy, Health, and Aging in America 06/11: FIVE DAYS LEFT! SEATING STILL AVAILABLE FOR MARILYN LLOYD DINNER! 06/10: "Unity Proclamation" at 11 a.m. Today at Party Headquarters 06/08: "Unremarkable" by Stuart James 06/04: HCDP to establish "Marilyn Lloyd Scholarship" for public service 06/04: Obama Claims Democratic Nomination for President 06/03: "ROCK THE VOTE" VOTER REGISTRATION: CHATTANOOGA RIVERBEND FESTIVAL 06/03: Obama Supporters Will Celebrate End of Primary Season at Pisa Pizza Tonight 06/01: DNC "Rules and Bylaws Committee" Reaches Agreement on Florida and Michigan 05/30: HONORING MARILYN: Collecting Photographs |
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