This ought to get VERY interesting
Are you grumpy with (or even angry at) the leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party? If so, there may be a chance to do something about it but you must be a registered member of the MDP no later than today to do so. You can do that HERE. This will allow you to vote at next month’s 2012 State Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit.
Current party Chair Mark Brewer no longer has the support of the UAW, the Teamsters, or of several major Democrats including Congressman Sander Levin. Gongwer and MIRS both report that Bob King of the UAW and James Hoffa of the Teamsters have told Brewer he no longer has their support. Brewer is determined to run anyway.
The battle has already gotten nasty with MIRS reporting that a party insider is calling King’s move “the temper-tantrum school of politics,” saying that he seems “more than happy being in a minority, a shrinking minority, than growing the Democratic Party.”
Yeeouch.
Brewer seems to be taking no chances and is appearing at County Party Conventions in-person like the one in Washtenaw County tomorrow. He’s also traveling to the Upper Peninsula next week.
One supporter of Brewer being replaced (who asked to remain anonymous), is hoping for a more robust organization that does a better job with fundraising, social media outreach, and diversifying the membership, and that has a better, statewide approach to field operations along with smarter use of data and technology, more along the lines of what President Obama’s presidential campaign looked like. This, they feel, will lead to a party that can win elections.
I myself have been critical of the MDP’s lack of activism on issues like the recall of Governor Rick Snyder and the repeal of Public Act 4 — Michigan’s odious and anti-democratic Emergency Manager Law. Whether more effective leadership of the party comes through new blood or an intentional and determined reorganization by the current group of leaders, it’s clear a more focused approach to field operations and capitalizing quickly and effectively on issues is needed.
In the time that I have been a member of the MDP and writing about politics, I have yet to see a credible effort arise to unseat Brewer who has led the State Party for 18 years. The last attempt resulted in a self-defeating effort that hurt the party. See my piece “Michigan Democrats manage to punch themselves in the face with BOTH hands” for my take on that. With two of the major labor unions pulling their support, however, Brewer seems more vulnerable now than he has been in a very long time.
So, if you’re interested in watching the MDP Battle Royale and participating (on either side) at the statewide 2013 State Convention next month, make sure you’re an MDP member by the end of today by signing up HERE. The 2013 State Convention is on February 23, 2013, at Cobo Center in Detroit. More information on the Convention can be found HERE.
