I am stunned by this article. The President of a Democratic Party Organization has endorsed A Republican over an incumbent Democrat!http://www.news-daily.com/news/2013/oct/08/deraney-to-run-for-state-house-district-78-as-a/
The district includes southeast Clayton County and parts of Republican-leaning Henry County. Portions of Jonesboro and Stockbridge and all of Lovejoy are in the district.
#Parts of Deraney’s message aren’t typical for a Republican, and he acknowledges that fact. Some of the people he said should be reached out to are lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered individuals who are not usually embraced by the Republican party.#
But Deraney’s candidacy announcement wasn’t the typical political coming out party. From the beginning, it oozed a feeling of reaching out and inclusion when he was introduced by Young Democrats of Atlanta President T.J. Copeland, an old classmate and friend of Deraney.#
Copeland said voters shouldn’t confine themselves to one political party when trying to find a candidate to rally behind, and expressed his belief that Deraney would do a good job in the legislature.
#“The biggest thing is finding individuals that represent the state of Georgia and represent your ideology, and not just sticking to one particular person in a party, or one particular party,” said Copeland.#
“It’s about finding out who that person is and what they will represent when they go to represent you down at the Capital or in D.C., and I honestly cannot think of one individual in this district that will do a better job than Chris,” Copeland added
Copeland also implored attendees to give money to Deraney’s campaign, explaining it could cost the candidate as much as $40,000 to run what is expected to be a campaign against incumbent Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge).
There are certain things that require comment. So here is mine
An Officer of a Democratic organization endorsing a Republican for a statehouse seat when it is occupied by a Democrat, when we are on the cusp of a GOP super-majority is an unfathomable and unconscionable thing to do.
I get friendship....that's fine. You want to vote for him? That's your business. You want to write a check? OK. But you do not endorse ANY Republican while touting you bona fides as a YD Pres. It is completely irresponsible. Moreover in this political environment this is, in my view, a treasonous thing to do. Not simply because it's an endorsement but because it has the effect of giving the GOP the meme that Democratic leadership is abandoning ship. It damages the Democratic Brand and is a betrayal of the first order of those that elected you to lead Young Democrats.
To say nothing of the political reality that Kasim Reed went to High School with Demetrius Douglas. Which quite honestly is not a fight you want to need It hurts you and it Hurts the YDs.
I do not understand people who run for party office who think they have no responsibility for the success of the Party?
The Atlanta Young Democrats cannot ignore this because to let this stand is to de-legitimize its value as a party organization and its credibility with both elected leadership throughout the Metro Area. How does this organization raise money for Democratic candidates when their President says:
“The biggest thing is finding individuals that represent the state of Georgia and represent your ideology, and not just sticking to one particular person in a party, or one particular party,”
How will they know how that money is going to be spent? This is the equivalent of Chairman DuBose Porter endorsing Karen Handel of the Senate.
I have known TJ Copeland for a number of years. He is a member of the State Committee. He ran for State Rep last election. He is a likable and smart man. I do not understand this AT ALL.
TJ Copeland should either retract the endorsement or resign as YD Atlanta President and if he refuses, then they should show them the door. Any Democrat who defends his actions should be shown the door as well.
In the meantime I would encourage you to give to the Demetrius Douglas Campaign because he is almost certainly going to be targeted by the GOP for defeat.
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