The other sad thing to note is that the GA GOP started their trainings in October, now two months ago with no response from the DPG. Before long, understandibly, the DPG will be focusing on this huge JJ they have planned and trying to get some of the candidates to be there, then they will have the primary, delegate selection trainings to do in Feb and March, candidate qualifying in April (let alone candidate recruitment before that), planning a state committee meeting, dealing with the session (still waiting to hear what our plan is), all this in addition to building our party infrastructure, training the state on the new VoteBuilder system, doing the daily tasks that require much time and attention across the state AND in addition to that bring answers to what the GA GOP is up to. (plus I know I'm forgetting lots of responsibilities they surely do every day).

Anyone else a little skeptical? I've told Jane Kidd this personally on *numerous* occassions over the course of several months as well as Matt Weyandt and others at the party with no response on "how" they are going to do any of this, or even what they intend to do. Anyone else having better luck getting some answers from the Democratic Party of Georgia?

I for one, my dear overly-critical and definitely non-constructive friend, am not the least bit skeptical at all. I would say that I am more of a die-hard realist, and let me tell you: it takes true experience to fully understand and sincerely appreciate that little nugget of a word. If it were not for the shrill sounds of the two-handed battle axe I hear you grinding evilly away at – and seeming to salivate at every jerky twist of the sharpened butcher knife at a chance to deliver a fatal death jab into the left flailing lung of the DPG - I would say that your size 28 Mickey Mouse panties may be in a large, bulging wad stuck way up there where even the brightest Wal-Mart-brand LED light quietly diminishes into total darkness.

We cannot always rely upon the Democratic Party of Georgia to do our progressive work for us. The state party is not expected to be "everywhere all the time" nor are they expected to be able to propel us into the upper-stratosphere of democratic freedom high above the orbiting Right-Wing Lunacy Diner just south of Marietta, Georgia. Like all normal state party organizations, the DPG has their profound strengths and their not-so-profound weaknesses – trust me, I have seen several in my day. But at the end of the day (oh how I so HATE that overused phrase), it is up to the usual activists and grassroots volunteers to steadfastly step up to the proverbial plate and humbly pick up the drooping slack where definitely applicable.

Now I am not saying that we have the most efficiently organized or most swimmingly managed state party infrastructure - especially in their sub-par use of current technology and ineffective use of volunteer’s ideas and suggestions. But where we see the state organization not being able to boldly go where no progressive has gone before, it may be up to us small peon’s out in the green waves of kudzu to lift up those saggy drawers and pick up that slack I mentioned above.

But wait – gladiator grassroots activists have been diligently hard at work delivering training sessions for much longer than a hair past a freckle. The Democracy for America (DFA) group held a most excellent training session back in September and both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama’s political campaigns recently have made an over-arching attempt to train the jovial masses on the enlightened ways of the democratic Jedi. Not to mention the camp and training sessions that the MOST EXCELLENT Young Democrats of Georgia have put together lately. Plus some counties have created candidate and grassroots training on their own, so at least some forward progress is being made on this front.

I, too, have talked to Jane Kidd and others personally about these types of endeavors. But I find it quite humorous that you spring up the JJ Dinner planning now, only since it is definitely the time of season for that large state party fundraiser - it should be an effective use of folk’s time now.

We have a state organization that at least is striving to work in a positive direction. For this they must be commended – for the DPG is not a detriment by a long shot to our democratic society. There turtle-like progress may not be as fast as some would like – but that is where we come in. It may be up to us in the field - normal, everyday activists - that have to get the ball rolling in some directions.

Volunteer – you might like it…

Will Fowlkes, Cobb County

Thanks Will, love it and hopefully the folks who need to hear this message will, it is frankly more than just one person.

I've said and will continue to preach 2 messages about being a volunteer

1. try to be a team member before you decide that all the ideas and suggestions that came before you were crap, ask questions, do the assignments and chores asked of you with a minimal amount of grumbling, or go away.
2. attempt to see the good in an organization and not just the "needs improvement" this is always helpful.

2008 Brings a world of potential possiblities for volunteering and steping up to the plate. For some it's also an opportunity to turn over a new leaf an show us you can use your power for good and not just evil.

Think Bottom - Up. Not Top - Down.

grassroots ultiately takes money.

if the dpg can barely afford rent, do you think they can do much grassroots?

DOn't forget candidate research and recruitment, press outreach and the other things they need to do which come before grassroots.

Honestly, Will, I said "understandibly" for a reason. But just to be clear, I think we can go back in history and know that December and January are not typical "JJ season" and that is one thing that makes this one special. It's usually held during the session and around March. The last JJ was only 6 months ago and the coffers are running dry, so in an election year, this JJ is supposed to sustain our party for 15 months and through an election cycle. I for one think it's gonna be a huge JJ and everyone should buy their tickets now to keep showing support, but it is something that is going to take up a lot of time, and rightfully. Jane's idea is a great one and hopefully will help put GA on the map, but this is going to be a long year for GA Democrats of any sort, and this post simply asked "what is our response to THIS POST about GA GOP. That's what I wrote about.

This has nothing to do with my support of the Democratic Party - I'm one of the biggest supporters, and to think, and even assume, that I or other Democrats simply only point out the "needs improvement" would be to do what you all so often said everyone only did about you. Of course I talk about the good, and Jane Kidd knows that as do Democrats across the state. I also happen to be one of the biggest volunteers in the state so I echo your call to others to get involved, because ultimately that's what it takes.

So here's one last challenge: let's put a front page post up asking what is the best thing about the DPG or your experiences with the DPG and let's see what we all post. That'd be a great way to end the year and go into the most important election year we will face, together, united and WORKING TOGETHER.