Joe Turnham: Republican party proven to be tenacious
Alabama Democratic Party Chairman
Published: October 5, 2009
Believe it; or not, I have looked forward to writing about today’s topic. My life as a volunteer leader of Alabama’s Democratic Party embroils me daily in partisan endeavors and conflict.
I am a proud Democrat and appreciate the history and principles of our party and work daily to further our good causes.
However, I fear for our state and country as I watch our nation become more divided than ever. Bipartisan cooperation seems nearly unattainable on many topics of debate. I firmly believe that for our community, state and nation to survive and prosper; bipartisan cooperation and mutual respect must be fostered by whatever means.
That is why I am proud to offer some kind words of admiration to the Republican Party, its officers and faithful as today’s assignment. My hope is that by “eating some crow” and bragging on my political opponents, perhaps I can foster some of that cooperative spirit we so desperately need as a people.
I do not arise early each day and spend many nights away from home and drive tens of thousands of miles as a Democratic Chairman to merely further the partisan cause. Chairing a political party, or being a member of one, should emanate from your heart’s burning desire to serve your community through the creation of constructive public policy and building a democratic process that fosters freedom and protects liberty.
First and foremost, the Republican Party is a tenacious competitor. At every level, Alabama Republicans work hard, fight tough and don’t walk away from tough competition. I know how hard my counterpart, Chairman Mike Hubbard, works. He makes me a better chairman because he pushes me through his own success in party building and with his energy.
There is a sort of kinship that develops among chairs, even of opposing parties, because this work is so tough, unappreciated and usually confrontational. Sometimes people within your own party are tougher on you than the partisan competition. I have enjoyed my discussions with Mike about the grueling nature of balancing career, family, finances, and party.
Republicans can often get on the same page and message more quickly than Democrats. This is something that I am a bit envious about, but I say that with compliments. “Singing off the same sheet of music” is vital to a political party. Democrats are a large, diverse group and it takes more effort and more time for us to reach consensus as a party on some issues.
Republicans can usually raise more money and raise it more quickly than Democrats based on the natural constituency of their party. Raising money as a political party or candidate is vital to success.
Mike is a great fundraiser and is doing a great job in that regard.
Party building starts with great candidate recruitment. Just like SEC football, you can’t win the conference championship without great players. Republicans are usually good candidate recruiters.
I am certainly proud of our own candidate recruiting success recently at the Alabama Democratic Party, but I give Alabama Republicans their due credit.
With all the problems in our world today, we as Americans must rise above the rancor of disrespect and shouting at each other in town hall meetings. One-upmanship needs to be replaced with statesmanship. Democrats and Republicans should replace petty partisanship with solid party leadership.
Republicans have had a lot of success in Alabama in the last 20 years, but their success has only made our party stronger and more determined than ever. Today in Alabama a vibrant, competitive two-party state exists. Both parties should be proud of and build on that success.
Joe Turnham is Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.
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Reader Reactions
When compared to Alabama GOP Chairman Mike Hubbard’s response to the same question, this submission is truly revealing. Joe Turnham’s response was all too gentle. To expect bipartisanship or even minimal courtesy from much of today’s GOP is a fool’s errand I fear.
Given the complexities of Alabama’s politics, where the Big Mules and our ancient, bloated, and power concentrating 1901 Constitution, plus race and religion, loom large, it is easier for me to focus on the national scene.
I’d have referenced the impressive message machine of the GOP. Mike Hubbard’s own WANI AM 1400 has a stable of right wing talkers spewing hate, lies, and distraction almost around the clock. These angry “talents” tap into nearly every nook of the heartland and unfortunately have few if any other voices situated to challenge their flawed fulminations.
The way certain groups were able to harness the understandable fears and frustrations of some teabagging citizens recently was an illustration of not only managing but also manufacturing the message. They knew what buttons to push but could also create some new buttons if need be.
The GOP’s networks of think tanks and advocacy/issue organizations, some even providing a handy tax deduction, funded by often the same families and firms is downright amazing. The way they’ve taken once radical ideas and brought them into the mainstream in these last four or so decades is impressive even while bringing us to near collective ruin.
The GOP routinely win elections when they hold positions that run contrary to what the majority of the people favor. They do a terrible job in governing, perhaps in that they don’t or hardly believe in government, and yet keep get elected to leadership positions.
The discipline, coordination, and long sightedness of movement conservatives is also something that routinely places me in awe. How they do this so effectively and avoid outright civil war between the religious right, corporate free marketeers, crony capitalists, neo-conservatives, reactionary isolationists, xenophobic nativists, libertarians, and the vestiges of the old East Coast establishment remains a mystery to me.
The way they work the media and have convinced much of the public that the for profit, consolidated media is biased toward a liberal, “elitist” view is stunning. They’ve nearly made it to where stenography of two positions passes for journalism as it is “balanced”. We now have politainment that passes for a vigorous press.
The ability of their consultants to craft simple narratives, often completely contrary to the facts, and get everyone from their politicians to the lowliest operative to repeat them with such single minded focus is impressive. The Democratic Party thinks their ten point plan will work and the right taps into primal networks that reliably deliver electoral successes.
The GOP keeps their party structure, and especially their base, tuned in and fired up. The other team struggles here again and again.
The right has organizations, fellowships, training, and jobs available for young folks to get started in their movement. Their grooming of activists and future leaders runs circles around the Democratic Party.
The GOP is always on offense. Indeed Joe Turnham could learn much from their politics in this area.
Finally, for the true believers, conservatism never fails but can only be failed.
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