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Shyam Reddy in Northwest Georgia - Northwest Georgia Democrats rally
Jan. 21, 2006 -
Chattanooga Times Free Press - In a GOP-dominated corner of a Republican-run state, Northwest Georgia Democrats promised themselves at a Thursday night rally they will resurrect the once-powerful political party here and across the state.
"We’re here. We’re alive. And you’re about to hear a lot more from us," said Greg Bentley, Catoosa County Democratic chairman.
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Stuart James and Shyam Reddy, a candidate for Georgia secretary of state, spoke at the event at the Rossville Civic Center. About 60 people from Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Whitfield counties attended the party meeting.
While conceding that perhaps they’re late in the electionyear game, party leaders said the meeting will be the first of many to organize a stronger party presence. "This is a great start tonight," Mr. Bentley said.
In a speech where he also blasted the Iraq war "for oil" and tactics U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., used to unseat Democratic then-Sen. Max Cleland, Mr. James said local Democrats can decide their own fate.
"It does not start in Washington, D.C., or Atlanta," he said. "You, as North Georgia Democrats, must define yourselves."
The Rev. Myron Banther, Walker County GOP chairman, said Friday that his party dominates because it better reflects the conservative values of the region.
"We feel like we have the message that the residents of Northwest Georgia are looking for," he said. "The Democrats have been out in left field for a long time."
He said the influence of typically more liberal national Democratic leaders is inescapable, and that keeps voters here aligned with the GOP.
Mr. James said in his speech, however, that for too long Democrats have allowed Republicans to misrepresent Democrats’ values, which he said are those of regular Americans: faith, family and hope.
"We decided we’re not going to take it anymore," he said.
Republicans dominate Georgia politics, but not long ago it wasn’t that way.
The first GOP-dominated Legislature since Reconstruction will wrap up its term this year, and the GOP holds both U.S. Senate seats, most of the state’s U.S. House seats and the governor’s mansion.
Gov. Sonny Perdue, who seeks re-election this year, was once the Democratic leader in the state Senate.
Meanwhile, Democrats are optimistic that either of two of the party’s heaviest hitters has a fair shot at beating him. Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and Secretary of State Cathy Cox are seeking the Democratic nomination. But, in the four counties represented Thursday night, Republicans rule. State legislators face no opposition. Mr. Reddy’s visit was a rarity for a statewide Democratic candidate.
Often, those candidates skip visits to a Northwest Georgia electorate that is for the most part politically hostile territory.
"People don’t think Democrats exist (outside of Atlanta)," said Mr. Reddy, an Atlanta corporate lawyer seeking his first elective office. "But they’re there. You’ve proven it."
With more campaign cash than any of his opponents, he faces fellow Democrats Angela Moore and Scott Holcomb in the July 18 primary.
Mr. Bentley said Ms. Cox is scheduled to visit Jan. 28 at a 2 p.m. event also to be held at the civic center.
By Matthew
S.L.
Cate
Staff Writer
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