Here are my honest thoughts from the forum that I would like to be discussed. I worked on a campaign as staff in this past election cycle and was at the forum on Saturday.

Many things about Mike Berlon and his candidacy bother me. First, his statement about putting $100,000 into the DPG right after he's elected. That is a BRIBE. I think if Berlon wanted to show his support of this party and his dedication to putting our party on the right track, he shouldn't hang that donation over our heads for our votes. Why doesn't he write the check now? Will he promise to write that check regardless of who wins in order to help our party? Our votes shouldn't be bought off and someone running for Chair should never even say that, regardless of whether or not they will or will not donate that kind of money.

Second, his "promise" that he already has people who are willing to donate office space to the DPG at NO COST for offices around the state. Who are these people? Why will they only donate the space for Berlon? Again, is this an idle threat/bribe: vote for me and get office space, don't and your loss on the offices?

Third, many candidates thought websites should be made and supported for all county chairs, and by the time Berlon spoke he said: "I can have 159 websites up in a week" for all the local counties. His promises never cease, what else do we as Democrats wanna hear promised to us by Berlon? He apparantly has a promise for everything.

He simply promises he can and will deliver everything, much faster than any other candidate running, and much better. Berlon hasn't been holding his own local meetings or elections. Berlon didn't raise money on either of his two unsuccessful campaigns as he personally admitted today, rather he claims he personally financed them. I'd be curious about looking into that. Regardless, his promises have been exposed for what they are: empty and dangerous for Georgia Democrats. The evidence is in his own actions.

And who are Berlon's "friends" and what are their motivations? Who's getting a "payoff" if he wins...not financially, but in regards to promised staff positions, etc? We deserve better, and there is something about Berlon that makes me worry the same way I've been worrying for the past two years.

He also said that he wants the Party managed as a 'business.' I've heard those words before from Republicans about public education, and we all know what that would lead to.

Mike Berlon has had his eye on this post for longer than most (especially his opponents because they were running for public office) but that doesn't make him the best choice, or the right choice. Hold him accountable and question him hard on these and many other parts of his run.

I know I am biased, but I am a professional in the field of politics with experience on campaigns with candidates and most importantly, Democratic volunteers, supporters and voters. We all need to make the right choice for Party Chair and urge our friends on the State Committee to vote in our interests as a Party.

TurnGeorgiaBlue, I'm resisting an extremely strong urge to raise this to a top-level post. I don't think you're right at all about Mike Berlon and his candidacy.

First of all, the $100,000 donation offer is absolutely not a bribe. This is the same as Mike funding his own previous campaigns - it's him adding his own money because frankly it's sorely needed and it just isn't there right now. It's about getting his strategic initiatives off the ground, not buying anyone off. As for whether he'd make it no matter who wins, it'd be very magnaminous, but who would want to use that kind of money to fund a strategy one disagrees with?

Secondly, Mike absolutely never claimed any of those potential office space donors would only donate to him. It might be true anyway - after all, Mike's the only candidate they have any knowledge of, and the other three candidates may or may not even be willing to use those offices - but I think you're putting words in Mike's mouth. Mike's message was not "Vote for me or don't get this free office space" but "Vote for me and get satellite offices across the state, which I've incidentally arranged to have donated". Why are you faulting Mike for planning ahead, something the other three candidates showed very little evidence of?

Third, Mike's claim of 159 web sites up in a week is quite reasonable. Ever heard of CampaignWindow? That's what he was talking about. I could have those sites set up in a week if I so chose, and so could any of the other candidates, if they were aware of the opportunity - which they seemed not to be.

I'm disappointed by the way you've singled out Mike's promises as "empty" - they are promises he has full ability to keep, and they are specific enough so that anyone can tell whether he's kept them. I didn't hear much of anything in the way of specifics from the other three candidates. And how can you claim a county party chair hasn't been holding local meetings? What are you talking about?

My suggestion to you is that if you're going to pick apart Mike Berlon like this, do yourself a favor and do it to the other candidates as well, if you're prepared to face the results.

First let me say I am an unabashed supporter of Mike Berlon. Most of you already know that. And I don't hide behind an alias. I also have no interest in a paid position with the DPG. However, I will volunteer to help rebuild this party, just like hundreds or thousands around this state are ready to do.

I am truly disgusted by the whisper campaign and innuendo surrounding Mike's campaign for Chair.

Yes, he does have someone ready to put up the websites. Yes, he has talked to people about regional offices. If other candidates would have THOUGHT about this before running, you probably wouldn't have an issue with it at all.

I just can't figure out if you are the source of the false allegations or a pawn concerning the Gwinnett county meetings of which there were 11 meetings held last year or the elections which the county exec cmte VOTED to hold off until Feb with Berlon abstaining from the vote. Why don't you ask the current leadership how many counties haven't held their elections yet...Oops I guess that was supposed to be a secret.

There is no bribing going on. God forbid the notion that he wants to be successful as the DPG Chair. If he wants to put his own money in, so be it. You know, we ooh and ahh when a candidate says they is willing to put his own money.

I am disappointed by your cynisism in this race. Without a plan, a plan which Mike has thought out very well, we will not be able to 'TurnGeorgiaBlue'. There was very little depth to the other candidates answers. They just kept repeating key words like grassroots and change.

Steve Deak
Gwinnett County

Wonderful job and a big Thank You to everyone who put the forum together today. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

I loved the venue for a lot of reasons. One of them very negative. I mean no offense but ... it matched the current state of democratic progress in Georgia.

Creaking. Tiptoeing. Rickety stairs. Poorly lit. More fun in the hall than in the auditorium.

I hope that is taken as it is meant. The people were center stage and not the lack of chrome and glass.

Before I join the beat on Berlon or praise Berlon comments. Good job to anyone who did anything to help today.

Now.

I made sure I shook Mike Berlon's hand and wished him well before his appearance with our version of the Fantastic Four.

He made some points. I hate to agree with some of what he said. But ... what good am I if all I do is find fault in everyone else?

(BTW, I'm good at that. Try me.)

I shook his hand afterwards at the little luncheon get together. Told him that people need to listen to some of his points. I hope I said it better than that.

I wish I had a dozen Jim Nelsons. Damn he has energy and a good handle on the reaching out to people thing. And, he makes sense.

I don't think the position is that of a strickly technocratic thinker. Staff has to have something to do. If only all we needed was someone to follow a set of step by step instructions ... if only ...

There are no magic beans, Shopping Channel pills, or a blueprint that will pump out success everytime in every situation.

We don't need a Karl Rove. We don't want a Karl Rove.

We need some sort of a learning organization that adapts and changes.

I really don't know much about such organizations. I'm not sure the term is even right.

We need a thousand and one things. But, ... I'll take the start that we have with the many forums, the many venues, and the many cadidates.

I can't know the future, but I am going to help create it.

My thanks to everyone at todays events for creating another step towards positive change.

(Thanks Mel for the hug)

First of all, I'd like to re-iterate that it is great that this discussion is possible out in the open. Where candidates are actually running for a position under the view and with some input from the group at large.

Based on the performance of today in isolation, I'd have to say that Berlon was the strongest of the potential chairs (unfortunately, this means co-endorsing a 1st vice that I have not yet heard from). I didn't hear many specifics from the two women, and frankly, Rev. Nelson scares me. But, I'm a metro Atlanta guy and an agnostic, so take that as you will.

There were a few positive bits that came out that I hope people write down and hold onto. For example, the remark from Rep. Dukes about the marriage amendment and relating it to the interracial laws of the civil-rights era.

I would also go for the idea that there is a deep core to Democratic principles - equality, opportunity and the promise of a good life for all under the "work hard and play by the rules" ideas of Clinton. But, these deep principles should be left open to interpretation and implementation at the local level, in the form that the locals need to hear.

The "business" language actually applies to the above. The organization at large tends to put out its large, fuzzy principles, and then the sub-units or projects must show how their aims tie in with the top-level vision.

100k a bribe? even if it is, that is nothing compared to what it actually costs to run the DPG.

And I don't think any of those offices are a bad thing.

Although, if we do get those satellite offices, how are we going to staff them?

those promises are a bad thing

Hummm, I think that the by-laws have something in them that says the constitional officers have an obligation to raise money. Maybe I'm wrong, but just about every board I sit on has the same requirement too. Thankfully it's not 25K, but being head of the DPG is playing in the the "bigs".

I'm not sure why some folks have such a hard on for Mike. Sheesh people, get over yourselves already.

As for offices around the state, these wouldn't be necessary if we had healthy county parties that had offices and volunteer staff a couple days a week. But hey, if the state wants to be the one to launch that, let them.

The pissing and moaning by some of you is getting really old. I heard your "what I don't like" but where's the..hey that's a good idea comments?

TurnGeorgiaBlue, by your logic, the candidate who has no money, no plan, no skills, no vision, no friends and no desire for the position is the one for you.

Good luck with that campaign.

third times the charm i dont think those promises are a bad thing is what i have been meaning to say.

"Wasn't it great to be in a roomful of Democrats?"

And one snarky independent. ;)

Seriously, it was a good event. I've been impressed with all the BfD events I have attended in the past year. Y'all deserve a pat on the back.

The purpose of this thread was to thank the organizers and helpers of the forum yesterday. If you can't keep it on topic, then keep it to yourself.

This is the last week leading into the DPG election, and trash talk will not be tolerated here.

Thanks grift. It was a great to see you there. We'll make a Democrat out of you yet.

When will the video be up from the forum?

I've been uploading all evening and am still in YouTube hell. Short story, probably tomorrow afternoon before everything is up. Sorry for the delay. I think the tubes are clogged.

What I've found is that you get much better results early in the morning. Not always convenient though...

Mel, I'm going to come after you with my Blip.TV stick.

That sounds painful Shelby.

That sounds painful Shelby.

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