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Meet Charlotte Bergmann (R CAND, TN-09).

By: Moe Lane (Diary)  |  April 6th, 2010 at 03:05 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

She’s running in Steve Cohen’s district, and for some reason* she’s very, very annoyed that Rep. Cohen is going around accusing Tea Partiers of being racist, would-be Klansmen.

Charlotte’s site is here: please check it out.

Moe Lane

*Actually, strike that ‘for some reason.’ I’m very, very annoyed that Rep. Cohen is going around accusing Tea Partiers of being racist would-be Klansmen, and I know perfectly well why: because it’s a contemptible lie designed to inflame racial hatred. And it’s made all the more contemptible because Rep. Cohen has been the victim of such things himself in past elections… by his own side, not ours.

Crossposted to Moe Lane.

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COMMENTS

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  • http://www.sheetanchor.org Sheet Anchor

    candidate, and all others like her. Thanks Moe for focusing attention on Ms. Bergmann.

    I hope you will peruse the common sense conservative candidate for Governor of New Mexico I have written about in my diary, and consider highlighting his candidacy. Link below.

    http://www.redstate.com/anchor/2010/04/06/a-marine-worthy-of-our-support-for-governor-of-new-mexico/

  • Adjoran

    This is nonsense. TN-09 is a 60% black district in and round Memphis. Not only will a Republican have ZERO chance of winning there, they would be lucky to get out of town without being mugged.

    Campaign funds are finite resources. Money doesn’t grow on trees! Any money sent to places like TN-09 and GA-04 is being flushed down the toilet, no matter how great and conservative the Republican candidates might be.

    This is just what the Democrats must be HOPING conservatives will do: instead of concentrating on flipping the winnable Democratic seats, throw our money away on safe seats and in circular-firing-squad primaries.

    Un-freaking-believable!

  • pilgrim

    If you don’t, and you do not have any friends living in these districts then you are wasting the limited resources of RedState with your broadbrush dismissal of about 1.4 million people because a majority of them aren’t white folks.

  • ksting

    and adjoran is not far off. While the small amount of suburbs are conservative that TN-09 are conservative, the fact of the matter is that most suburbs are not part of TN-09, and that the vast majority of TN-09 is central Memphis and North Memphis – both very predominantly black areas.

    I would kill to have Harold Ford back representing TN-09 right now instead of Cohen. Having a centrist-Democrat is the best Republicans can wish for right now in that area, because for the foreseeable future there is 0 chance of a Republican winning that district. Don’t waste your money on supporting her campaign, she has as much chance of being the TN-09 Representative as I do.

  • Bill

    Thanks Moe for spotlighting this candidate in TN-09. She sounds like a real common sense person who would make a great representative of her district. As for giving, each of us will have to make our decisions about to whom we give and how much can be given. As Rush says, we must be optimistic. There are miracles to be had this November. I would suggest that Ms Bergmann run as an Independent and not tout herself as a GOP. Being a GOP in a DEM district like Memphis with all the government handouts there would be a kiss of death. They vote party not the person. Same as in GA-04 where Mr. Johnson could be a yellow dog and he would get his votes because he is a DEM and will keep the government money flowing.

  • ksting

    That first sentence was supposed to say “While the small amount of suburbs that TN-09 encompasses are conservative, the fact of the matter…….etc”

    Point stands – TN-09 is the same as any inner city district. Don’t waste your money.

  • FJG

    Look I get it. I grew up in the Memphis area and I know how ugly the political machines are in Memphis.

    As it currently stands, Willie Harrington (the corrupt former mayor of Memphis) will be duking it out with Steve Cohen (who is backed by the corrupt Ford Family machine). Make no mistake, those 2 political machines HATE each other. And you can bet your bottom dollar that these very racial accusations that Cohen is throwing at the Teapartiers will be thrown back at him by Harrington in the very near, and prolonged, future. And Harrington is a far nastier, more experienced and much slicker politican than Cohen’s last opponent.

    But if Ms. Bergmann can solidify her base and chip away at the democrat base while Harrington and Cohen are duking it out she stands a chance of winning. Honestly her chances are better against Cohen. Especially if Harrington’s people/supporters sit out this election.

    Her campaign will require almost non-stop grassroot efforts on her part (visiting various churches, civic groups, community events, local businesses, etc.) Getting on the local talk radio and music radio stations is immperative. It will also require her aggressively marketing herself as the populist candidate fighting against corruption. Both of these men can be branded as incumbents. It can most definitely be argued that Memphis is worse off because of these men. Memphis has not been spared in this declining economy. So the high anti-incumbent mood sweeping the country could definitely work in her favor.

    And while we are addressing the race issue, running a conservative who happens to be an African-American woman in a district that is 60% African American may work. The African-American sub-culture tends to be more matriarchal and that may also work in her favor. But it will be her ideas that win over voters.

    So it isn’t impossible for her to be elected. Nor would it be a waste of money for her to try. She may not win but she could pave the way for the next conservative. We are in a war for our country. We will have both expected and unexpected wins and losses. But we will never win, if we never try.

  • earlgrey

    Great post. By the way it is Herenton, not Harrington.

  • FJG

    I left out the word *that* in the title. “With That Logic Scott Brown Never Would Have Won MA”

    Mr. Lane thanks for highlighting Ms. Bergmann. As a Memphian, I will be including her in the list of candidates I am supporting. It may not be a lot but every little bit counts.

    I don’t know whether or not to agree that Ms. Bergmann might do better as an independent. Avoiding the GOP label might help her “avoid the kiss of death” in a DEM district, but some of the individuals who run as independents in Memphis are… unique? eccentric? crazy? i.e. Prince Mongo. So I’m not sure if the Independent label in Memphis is that much better.

  • FJG

    Sorry for the misspelling. I know better but it has been a long day. I should have just refered to him as Slick Willy as so many in the Memphis area do.

  • penguin2

    One of the problems that has come to light, is how many races we have not contested, just sort of letting them go that we cannot “win.” Now maybe there are a few that might fall into the “hopeless” for us category, but consistently doing it is political suicide, as we have found to our regret. The upcoming November election is certainly one of the best opportunities for us to challenge these seats, as the winds are favorable to us.

    Something else that I read a while back is that even if a candidate loses in a particular race, it does help to get their name out there and there may be a future office that they run for and are successful in winning.

    BTW, I left you a reply in that VA-02 post, caught it on Friday. Thank you so much.

  • tngal

    Memphis is 60 percent black. Last I heard Willie Herenton was leading the pack. Lot of people still like this guy although he does have a bit of a questionable history. Herrenton ‘s the city’s longest running mayor and he’s black. He’ll tell you how important that is.

    “…it remains a fact that the 9th Congressional District provides the only real opportunity to elect a qualified African-American to the all-white 11-member delegation representing Tennessee in Washington.”

    Steve Cohen isn’t.
    ”
    “I think all along, Steve Cohen has known that’s his vulnerability,” said political scientist Marcus Pohlmann at Rhodes College of Memphis. “It’s not so much that he’s disliked because he’s white, but he’s running in a district that was created to elect an African-American.”

    Charlotte is the perfect candidate, not because she’s african american (of which herenton should approve) or because she’s female (which is why some women might vote for her) but because she deals with the issues the way we would.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31423738/ns/politics-more_politics

  • http://www.libertytreehugger.com reverelth

    You throw in with the rest who say the best they can do is to keep backing the party that is standing on their necks to keep them down?

    You could say the same thing about Scott Brown (or, God willing Snowe or Collins). You run some Liberal Lite because you have to concede huge chunks of their agend to be more like them and to be like them?

    A waste of time would be running a Republican candidate chasing their tails saying, “Me, too.”

  • earlgrey

    I think we need to have the debate in these tough districts and you don’t have them by walking away. That is retreat.

    I am not going to tell anyone where to put there contributions, but there are a number of ways to support various candidates.

    Finally, I applaud Charlotte’s courage in putting herself out there to offer a different perspective to TN-09. Things will be pretty interesting leading up to the dem primary.

  • JadedByPolitics

    Scott Brown is ABSOLUTE proof of that!

  • NoDoze

    to run that is willing. Winning this election is only part of the strategy. Draining off resources on the other side helps our side. A new conservative candidate gains knowledge and experience that may very well make the difference next election.

    The more good candidates we put in serious contention for seats in the House, the more good candidates will wind up getting elected. I would like to see 435 genuine Conservatives run for House seats.

  • ksting

    I’m not saying don’t run someone. But a Republican is not going to win there in the foreseeable future, and since 1875 there have only been three Republican Congressman – including the 16 or so years in the 70s and 80s that it was known as the 8th district. And each one of those Republicans lasted one term.

    So no, I don’t think she has a chance in hell if that district runs blue through the Carter years and then Reagan years.

    This district is 60% black, which is not going to go against Obama while he’s in power. The white population that is Republican isn’t going to be fired up to go lose by forty points, and the large white population that are gentrifiers are going to go for Cohen.

    Brown is a seperate issue, because the demographics work a bit better in Massachusetts, that’s a potential steal. They don’t work in a district comprised primarily of urban inner-city African Americans who aren’t going to vote against the policies of the first black President.

    I’m all for Conservatives, but I’m also a Pragmatist. A dollar spent here is a dollar that could be much better spent on electing someone in a winnable district, or saved for Corker in two years.

  • Blue_State_Refugee

    An informed electorate is a well-armed electorate, and that applies equally to urban Memphis and rural Kansas. Any conservative candidate who can successfully communicate to her constituents that damage that liberals government intrusion can win. We need more black conservatives, and I believe those that come from black majority districts stand to make a huge impact.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    This party is sort of built around at least a nod to the assumption that maybe that person over there determined to spend his or her dollar knows what the heck he or she is doing.

  • DavidS1787

    Joe Walsh (R) IL 8th Congressional District He is running against Rep.Melissa Bean (D)IL 8th Congressional District

  • Richard Mullins

    and while it might seem the impossible dream, winning as a Republican is can be done. Saying that that a District is majority Black or Latino and don’t run is stupid. Keep it up and you will win. Even 30% for us is better than 100% for them. No Eeyore’s allowed. So what if “Mayor for Life” Herenton has a good chance,no need to stop. Make the other guy work for his/her votes.

  • ksting

    See above.

  • FJG

    I grew up in Memphis and now live in the VA portion of the DC metro area. However, my family family and friends still live in the Memphis and West Tennessee area.

    It was my Uncle that taught me that even though it might seem impossible to win as a conservative in a corrupt Democrat city like Memphis, it can be done. My Uncle, a quiet white conservative Republican man ran against John Ford, the uncle of Harold Ford Jr., and one of the most corrupt politicans to come out of that family and the city of Memphis. (Ford is now a convicted felon in a LA Federal prison after being caught in the FBI Sting Operation TN Waltz.)Everyone thought at the time that a Ford was unbeatable in Memphis. Yet in 1996 it was MY Uncle, the Republican, who WON and held the position of Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk through 2008, not Harold Ford Jr.’s uncle.

    If a conservative white Republican man can win in Memphis, with it’s 60% black population, I believe that a conservative black Republican woman can win in Memphis as well. Will it be hard work and an up hill battle? Yes! But it can be done.

    Conservatives have a long and proud history of fighting the battles that others deemed impossible. We may not have won every battle but even the losses led to eventual gains and weaken the enemy in the short term. We have to play both the short term and the long term games. We can’t give up because everyone says it can’t be done.

    Besides it is Cohen (the Ford Machine) and Herenton battling it out. Only the Good Lord knows how much dirty laundry on both sides will be aired in this knock down drag out doom match. I’m looking forward to watching this play out.

    As for the VA-02 post, your welcome. Sorry for my delay in responding to you. I didn’t see your response until today because I had family visiting in town for the Easter holiday.

    I happily admit that it is rare for me to do more than read RedState. My responses tend to be lengthy and more in depth than the majority of posts require. (As you can see. LOL) Since other members of this community tend to respond faster and more concisely than I can, I am content to sit back and use RedState as a tool to keep me informed. But there are occasions where I feel a detailed reply is called for. So when I read the reply by ?inDC? to your post, I could not remain silent. Her tone and attitude towards you infurated me. And while the gentlemen of Redstate quickly rose to your defense, I felt her swipe at you required a more detailed reply.

    As it has been explained to me, the primary responsibility of a precinct committeeman is to turn out the registered republicans in their precinct to vote. I don?t see how you can do that without educating yourself and the other registered republicans in your precinct.

    Most voters don?t have the time, or interest, in local races to do the research needed. Life tends to get in the way. This is sad but true. But if precinct committeemen 1) build the relationships with the republicans in their precinct, 2) do the research, 3) put the research into a format that is easily conveys and compares the platforms and voting records of the competing candidates (primary and general elections), and 4) distribute this in their precinct to registered republicans, I think we would see higher turn outs. I think passing out the info personally will have the most impact but a letter or an email should be almost as effective, especially if you have develop a relationship with the other Republican. And besides, when was the last time you received a political letter or email that didn?t ask for money?

    Penguin2, you pointed out that Mr. Lane is known for saying something to the effect of all politics is local. I agree but I think it goes a step further if we want to win in politics. All politics has to be personal to the voter! If it’s personal, they will turn out. Because they have something to win or lose. That is why I believe the Tea Party has been successful. They succeed in making people realize that they are personally being robbed by their own government.

    I’ll jump off my soap box now and retire back to the shadows. Thanks for your kind words Penguin2. They are sincerely appreciated.

  • http://www.redstate.com/tnjim TNJim
  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    If you make another comment to a candidate interview, which serves only to tell us that the candidate won’t win. I’m banning you.

  • penguin2

    excellent points you have made about local politics. It is important to have people understand that the politics are “personal” to them and their families, friends, and neighbors. So many times I have heard people say they “don’t vote” because their vote “doesn’t count.” It is up to us to show them how their vote does count.

    Local District House votes are extremely important; one could keep it simple….”unhappy with Congress? Don’t like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid? Well then vote out the local D Congress Critter.” It is also an opportunity to emphasize the importance of local and state elections. Obviously what is happening at the state level is going to impact what is coming out of Washington, or at least any protections we may have.

    Going along with your thoughts about educating those around us, was this idea I had recently. Everywhere we need to say and repeat, “high gas prices…Cap & Trade – The Dems want to take away your car. Long lines in the medical clinics (with pictures) or can’t get a doctor to take you, the Dems did it. Your kids are stuck in sick and failing schools – (show pictures of a decrepit school) – the Dems make your kids stay in these schools.” Everything can be simple slogans and pictures: THE DEMS DID IT.

    Now back to your diary. Between your excellent analysis in the VA -02 and your insights and ideas here, your diary is already “written.” Many more people would benefit from reading what you have shared. You cannot hide that light under a bushel. :-)

  • FJG

    Everything I learned about politics can be credited to 2 sources: my family and Morton Blackwell’s Leadership Institute. My family taught me conservative values/principles, the importance of keeping informed and fighting for what you believe in. Morton Blackwell and his Leadership Institute solidified what my family taught me and taught me how to fight and win effectively in politics/public policy.

    LI offers classes in almost every aspect of politics. Their youth training course is offered all over the country but their other courses are mostly in the DC area. Mostly because most of their instructors live in the DC area, if memory serves me correctly. I would love for local GOP/Tea Party groups to bring in LI instructors to teach them how to succeed as activists on a local level. I’ve seen the Democrats do something similar in West TN but the TN GOP didn’t offer anything compariable, at least during the time I was searching.

    My Mother and her best friend have recently gotten active in politics. They have recruited their friends to become active as well. I know they would soak up any activist training that the GOP or Tea Parties offered.

    l’ll take a stab at writing a diary based off of our “discussions.” If nothing else, it will make my Mother happy. She is always after me to write more.

    Thanks!

  • penguin2

    I think the GOP has come late to the party (forgive the pun.) In my area, I see the Tea Party activists as being able to get things going, and I think one reason why their activism has been so successful, is because it is hands on. When people are feeling helpless or powerless, the way to get out of it, is to “do something.”

    I am going to look up Morton Blackwell and read more on his Institute.

    And yes, I think your writing a diary with the excellent points you have made in these comments, would be helpful to so many others who read here. And as a mom, I certainly believe in making mothers happy. :-)

  • nessa

    …they’re being dragged there by the people who own the party. Us and millions of Americans like us. The GOP never had any desire to educate anyone on politics and activism, they had the reins firmly in their grasp and weren’t/aren’t about to let go. Why would they want us involved? They still don’t, Cold Warrior and the Precinct Project are meeting resistance across the country, from the people holding the reins of power in the GOP.

    Now I’m sure you know I’m not advocating giving up in that somewhat depressing and anti-establishment GOP paragraph above. I’m just pointing out another obstacle we have to breach. The people who want to reassume control of our party, the GOP, need to do exactly what you and FJG are talking about. Get educated, get involved, take control. Get out there and do it.

  • nessa

    …they’re being dragged there by the people who own the party. Us and millions of Americans like us. The GOP never had any desire to educate anyone on politics and activism, they had the reins firmly in their grasp and weren’t/aren’t about to let go. Why would they want us involved? They still don’t, Cold Warrior and the Precinct Project are meeting resistance across the country, from the people holding the reins of power in the GOP.

    Now I’m sure you know I’m not advocating giving up in that somewhat depressing and anti-establishment GOP paragraph above. I’m just pointing out another obstacle we have to breach. The people who want to reassume control of our party, the GOP, need to do exactly what you and FJG are talking about. Get educated, get involved, take control. Get out there and do it.

  • FJG

    The Leadership Institute (http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/
    ) was created by Morton Blackwell to train conservatives, usually youth, how to be effective, winning activists using political tools. However, the classes have expanded and conservatives of all ages are welcome in their classes. These classes range from Youth Leadership, to media (TV, online, etc.), event planning, public speaking, campaign management, public relations, activists, online activists, voter mail, candidate training, civil service, and the list goes on and on. (http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/)

    Morton Blackell, and his organizations, are responsible for teaching me the difference between being Conservative and being Republican. He is an expert on Republican bylaws and a stickler for perfect grammer. Most of all he is passionate about training Conservatives how to win! He and his wife are amazing, humble people. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him, his staff and his organizations.

    Morton Blackwell has written diaries/letters that have been posted on the front page of RedState. And I strongly believe that most of the effective Conservative activists and politicans we have fighting today have been impacted by Morton Blackwell to some degree. Afterall, he started LI back in 1979.

    I love the description of the LI Difference:

    “The Leadership Institute does not analyze policy; it trains conservatives how to win.”
    “While many liberal organizations exist to increase the involvement of liberal activists, few similar organizations exist to serve conservatives. Because conservatism tends to focus on the power of ideas, most conservative organizations are think tanks that focus on policy or legislation.”

    “The left excels at organizing and mobilizing large numbers of people – activating them in the public policy process. While philosophy is very important, the lack of widespread, active conservative participation is one of America?s greatest practical weaknesses.”

    “The Leadership Institute stands alone as the only conservative organization with the mission to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists and leaders in the public policy process. The Institute doesn?t analyze policy; it teaches conservative Americans how to influence policy through direct participation – activism and leadership.”

    P.S. I’ll do my best to make at least 2 Mommas happy and proud.

  • FJG

    They want to take our money and ignore what we have to say. If they spent even a fraction of the money they spend to fundraise via USPS on actually effectively fighting the Democrats/Liberals, we wouldn’t be in the predictament we are in now.

    Well, I’m not the GOP’s ATM card. So we are just going to do to the GOP, what we have to do to Congress: Clean house. And step 1 for every last conservative is to get up off our tail ends and take action. I like your summary “Get educated, get involved, take control.” And Step 1 of taking control over the party is becoming PCs.