Dems Strategize for 2012 Election

Over the last few months, newcomers have announced at the Cherokee Democratic meetings that they were unaware that a Democratic Party in Cherokee County even existed.

After several events, meetings, and prominent guest speakers, the word got out that the party is indeed present.  

Last Thursday’s meeting was a prime example of how fast word travels in Cherokee County. The room was filled wall to wall with new and original members to welcome two guest speakers.

Trevor Southerland, director for the Democratic Party of the Georgia Yellow Dog Annual Fund kicked off the night with stating three qualities that will play a vital role in the 2012 campaign: sacrifice, commitment and technology.

“What we’ve got to do as Democrats is to reach voters who don’t know when every election happens,” said Southerland. 

Southerland said that some individuals are very aware of what is going on in politics.  

“Some of us get up every morning and read every newspaper, every online publication, and we know exactly what’s happening”, said Southerland.

On the other hand, he said other people are just living their day-to-day lives.

“They are trying to pay their mortgage, pay rent, take their kids to school, they don’t have time know all of that,” he said.

Southerland states that utilizing technology is a way to reach out and find people. “The technology is being able to look at a district and say 48 percent of this district is Democrats,” said Southerland.

He stated the commitment and sacrifice comes in from the individuals who are working on the inside of the political party.

“We have to give our time, our financial support, everything we have so that we can reach those people on the outside, let them know what is going on, let them know what is happening in this state and get them involved,” said Southerland.

Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, Michael R. Berlon said he wants to take advantage of social media and deliver a message to voters.

“We want to encourage people to vote,” said Berlon.  

The social media message will focus on economic opportunity, educations opportunity, and shared responsibility.

“We will be fully prepared for 2012” said Berlon.

Southerland said he believes that the state of Georgia is not as much of a red state as many individuals think. He said in 2008, 47.5 percent of Georgians voted for President Obama.

“The Republicans, however, control enough of the state that they are going to be able to draw the districts to make us look much more red than 52.5 percent,” he said. 

As far as Southerland’s vision for Campaign 2012, he said he wants to reach out to the masses. 

“We have to get out into the communities everywhere across the state and let everybody know what is happening, let them know the truth of what is happening; not just what they hear on Fox News. That is how we are going to win in 2012.”