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9th Dist. Democrats stand united
"Our party is not the party of privilege and elitism. It is not the party of Enron and Halliburton. And it is certainly not the party of George W. Bush," keynote speaker Jane Kidd said. She went on the say that the Democratic Party supports economics that work, providing sufficient funds for education and health care and is the party that stands up for working families. "Our values unite us and make us strong," she said. "When we get back to our core values, we win." Kidd, who is the new Georgia Democrat Chairperson, said it's good to see so many Democrats passionate about Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. "At the end of the day, we can only have one," she said. "When it's all over, we alone have the power to win. We need to avoid bitterness, angst and stand shoulder to shoulder and remember, we're all Democrats."
"We're going to return to a future of progressive ideas and democratic leadership," she said. Senator Carol Jackson recognized state committee members and told when she first met Bob Barton, the Chair of the Ninth Congressional District. "He called me up four years ago and said 'You know I've never paid that much attention to politics, but I'm sick of what's going on." Jackson said he said he wanted to get some people together and do something about it. 'We had a meeting with him and his wife, Beth,that night in my living room," she said. "Look what a difference he's made in getting Democrats to stand up and be counted." Barton recognized the 9th District county chairs, and Commissioner of Agriculture, Tommy Irvin recognized candidates for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Dale Cardwell and Rand Knight, both announced Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Republican Saxby Chambliss, spoke briefly to the gathering. Bobby Saxon, who is running for the 10th Congressional seat was also recognized. Bob E. Thomas, a Gilmer County businessman and lifelong Democrat was presented with a special award honoring him as a "true Democrat." Bob, one of 12 children, was born at the height of the depression and raised on a farm where there was no running water, no electricity and heat only from a fireplace. His parents taught him to work hard and honestly and to give back to his community. It is said that Bob has always stood strong for democratic principles. That he has been teased about being rich enough to be a Republican, but he has stood true to the principles of the Democratic Party for more than 40 years, supporting it in various ways by his physical and financial contributions both on the local, state and national level. Hoyt Robinson of Dawson County was also recognized and presented the Tom Murphy 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. Commenting on the strength of Democrats in Georgia in his early years, Hoyt said, "I had heard of Republicans, but I had never met one until I went to college. If we had a fight, it was all among Democrats," he said. "That's the kind of politics we used to have." The Reverend Jim Nelson served as master of ceremonies and entertained everyone with "A Salute to President Truman" in a "Give 'em Hell, Harry" speech. The event started with an invocation and a Pledge of Allegiance led by Lt. Col. Frank Gardin, USAF, Retired. Union County's Democratic Chairman Nelson Thomas led folks in singing "God Bless America." Pete Thomas, Chairman of the Democratic Party in Fannin County announced that the next event would take place at his pavilion in Blue Ridge on Saturday April 26 with a Country Hoe Down. The banquet ended with a loud rendition of "Happy Days Are Here Again." |
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