Last night we attended our county BBQ fundraiser in Middle Tennessee. Williamson County is south of Nashville and part of the suburban collar around Davidson County, therefore, it is very Republican. The county Democratic organization has been very creative and energetic, though, and is gaining momentum. The featured speakers at last night's event were Governor Phil Bredesen, State Party Chairperson Bob Tuke, U. S. Senate Candidate Rosalind Kurita, and Harold Ford Jr.'s Senate campaign manager.
A couple of things stood out at the meeting. Kurita is gaining strength as a candidate. She is developing a strong stump speech and is getting better at delivering it. She is much improved over appearances last summer, and she received multiple standing ovations last night. Of course, the reception for Ford's campaign manager was more subdued, since the candidate himself was unable to attend. Nevertheless, I think it is telling that his only real selling points were that they have raised a lot of money and that they have polling numbers that show him ahead of all Republican candidates. I think the Ford campaign knows that they can't attract core Democrats on the issues. He has mioved to the center early, expecting an easy coronation in the Democratic primary. They are hoping Kurita drops out because of her lack of money. Her fundraising has not been terrific, but it did improve in Q3. It will be very interesting to see her Q4 fund-raising numbers.
Even more interesting was the presentation of Bob Tuke's "creed" for Tennessee Democrats. He is targeting Bush's "ownership" society, which should be a heretical notion to all of his religious supporters. In response, Tuke is developing the idea of a "stewardship" society. Here is the link to the creed he has developed.
Stewardship Society
I am wondering if this is becoming a national emphasis for Democrats. Has anybody seen these ideas showing up in other places?
