Ohio Democratic Forum is being counter productive.

[liberalnurse]

I am a Democratic Activist for Ohio. I just need to share my deep disappointment in the freeper-like, anti-Democratic posting going on here in this unique Forum. It is shameful how the threads focus on demonetizing our Democratic Leaders, such as Democratic Chairman and Democratic House Leader, Chris Redfern. We won't go Blue in Ohio if such negativity is enabled here at this Board. The posters of such threads have a mission which does not appear to be in the interest of the Ohio Democratic Party. I do not perceive Democratic Underground as a Board that embraces such behavior. The goal is to work together in a progressive fashion which encourages Ohio activism for the greater good.

[cmd]

1. I agree, liberalnurse

I had another first choice for chairman, but will support Chris Redfern 100%. We must work together to win. Thanks for the post.

[liberalnurse]

2. Thank you for the feedback.

I was actually avoiding our Forum due to the tone. I hope others can overcome their bitterness and join the fight to turn Ohio Blue. One thing comes to mind is that a Party Leader needs to be able to negotiate with the opponent....that is a skill. Chris has such experience. I was in conflict regarding the Chairmanship as Dennis Lieberman is my neighbor. I have worked with Chris Redfern on health care issues at the Statehouse and have found him to be dynamic.

I just want to make Ohio a state of the people again. Such negativity interferes with effective grassroots communication. I am sooooo excited to get working on our 2006 campaigns.

:pals: :applause:

[Algorem]

3. who are these saboteurs?name names.

the cleansing must begin.

[cmd]

4. Sorry, no names

And they are not sabotours, just Democrats who are frustrated. Solidarity, brothers and sisters. Peace. cmd

[pro_blue_guy]

8. Well......

Well........it is obvious why they are frustrated! Ohio is a screwed-up state. It has been under Republican control since 1990. And since then, the Buckeye State has been spiraling down the drain! And our fellow idiot Buckeyes keep voting in Republican administration after Republican administration. It is kind of sickening how people don't see that this is a problem.


I vote Democratic 99% of the time!

[Kolesar]

5. It's only a message board

This is not a policy-setting forum or anything like that. Heretofore, about all I knew about the ODP was we had Denny White, about five staffers, and a lot of emails on Noe that I have been getting of late. I found the story of the vote to be quite interesting.

[OzarkDem]

6. No miracle has occurred

Our party hasn't been reborn overnight as a result of the recent election of Redfern as chair. As Democrats we face a long, hard trail back to winning in this state. As others have indicated, Ohio Dems didn't get this way by accident. They got this way as a result of years of benign neglect by active Dems who didn't bother to hold leaders accountable to high standards.

Things are different now, there's no margin for error. Until we see marked improvement, not just talk, its our duty to keep a very close watch on ODP leadership and be prepared to make the necessary changes to get the party back on track. Just as we haven't let up on Dems in DC, we have to hold them even more accountable here in Ohio.

It doesn't matter how much field work all of us do, how many phone calls we make or doors we knock on if our leaders don't perform in a skilled and exemplary manner.

The Democratic party belongs to all of us, not just a group of people in Columbus. As Dems its our responsibility and our duty to hold our leaders accountable, in addition to helping them.

If they're going to lead, do it.

[BillORightsMan]

7. Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism

imho,

The OPD didn't get to where it is now by accident. There are many DINOs within the party ranks now. The ODP leadership has for so long been a rudderless ship, that we now have a minority 39 - 59 in the Ohio House and an 11 - 22 minority in the Ohio Senate. There is this "go-along-to-get-along" attitude that must be addressed. It's truly amazing the Ohio GOP hasn't done more damage to our state with their huge voting block.

Are we to simply rubber-stamp the ODP just because they (you) say we should? Should we all mindlessly toe the line (like so much of the GOP faithful does)?

This board is here to debate, discuss and yes, dissent. We need to hold the ODP leaders to a higher standard. They work for US, not the other way around. Without open honest debate, we make things LESS transparent.

I don't know where you get the "freeper-like, Anti-Democratic postings" you mention. I thought it was Democratic to voice your opinion, you know, free speech?

I agree we should work together to promote Progressive ideas and push back the Regressives. But if I disagree with a Dem's position, I certainly will point it out.

"Debate, Dialogue, Discussion, Disagreement - that's not wrong -that's not unpatriotic, that's one of the highest forms of patriotism and love of country, and we need to say it!" - Gen. Wesley Clark (US Ret.)