HOME Media Kit Advertising Contact Us About Us

 

Web The Truth


Community Calendar

Dear Ryan

Classifieds

Online Issues

Send a Letter to the Editor


 

 
 

Game Plan

By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, Ph.D.

The Truth Contributor

 

You win in the locker room first. Then you play the game.    -  Mike Smith

 

 

 

Rev. Donald L. Perryman, D.Min.

The next executive director of the Lucas County Democratic Party faces many challenges, the least of which, perhaps, are a resurgent local and an entrenched national Republican Party. The local Dems, seen by many as a Party that has lost its way, must first win the battle for its own soul.

 

Who Will Lead?

 

The Dems’ central committee will meet soon and is likely choose either former legislator Michael Ashford or attorney Keith Mitchell as their next leader. 

 

Ashford seems to have the early advantage, having solidified support in approximately 100 of 192 possible precincts. He has also assembled a powerful coalition of elected officials, private sector leaders, union officials and grass roots volunteers to secure control of another 30-40 precincts, enough to provide him with the margin of victory over Mitchell.

 

Ashford has also held several political offices, ran numerous campaigns and been a prolific fundraiser (for himself and others) both in Toledo and Columbus. Ashford’s ability to manage campaigns, identify other campaign leaders, recruit volunteers and engineer effective ground strategies gives him experiences that Mitchell doesn’t have.

 

Yet, success at the polls in November will require more than even these valuable experiences.

 

The Strategy:

 

Building a team that can win locally and contribute to the success of candidates on the state and national levels can only happen after something else, more fundamental, occurs.

“You win by [first] cultivating the right culture,” so the leadership experts allege. If true, then major internal changes will have to occur.

 

The local Democratic Party is wont to make endorsements and personnel decisions that emerge from petty feuds, jealousies and personal fealty rather than choices that are based on qualifications. Playing the political game in this manner has created a toxic atmosphere characterized by dysfunction and ineffectiveness. 

 

Several volunteers have disengaged and many elected Democrats merely use the Party only to obtain an endorsement, choosing to run campaigns on their own and not contribute to the aspirations of other candidates. “That’s how bad it is,” a longtime volunteer decried.  “I look around at fundraisers and no other Democratic candidates or other elected officials are there to support them.” Right now, it is every person for themselves with no common language or unified messaging.

 

While most of those I spoke with indicate that they can work with either Ashford or Mitchell, the challenge for the next leader is clear. Local issues such as economic development, jobs, safe neighborhoods, public education, taking care of first responders and support for the Affordable Care Act are all important.

 

Equally important are the critical activities of volunteer recruitment, bringing in young people, attracting talent, establishing new and more effective committees and fundraising.

 

However, one thing is vital. Prior to any of that, the Dems must first change the culture by creating a vision, “re-establishing our identity - what we stand for or are known for, so that people to start to believe again in the core values of the local Democratic Party and become engaged.”

 

And, finally, if the Party is to move forward effectively, decisions can no longer be made by a select few or top down, but outcomes, rather, should be made from the bottom up and ensure that all have input.

 

As former NFL coach Mike Smith once said, “Team beats talent when talent isn’t Team.

 

Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org

 

 
  

Copyright © 2019 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/14/20 11:24:11 -0400.

 

 


More Articles....

The Congressional Tri-Caucus Statement on the Lynching of Ahmaud Arbery

Letter to the Editor

City of Toledo Providing Help for Microbusinesses

 

COVID-19 Update: Reopening of Restaurants, Bars, and Personal Care Services

 

Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Wendell Minor

 

United Way Awards Nearly $230,000 in Grants to Fight Food-Insecurity


 


   

Back to Home Page