Bernhard...only been a Dem for about a year?

[AnnInLa]

this was sent to me by email, I'll see if I can find a link

By ADAM NOSSITER
The Associated Press
1/24/2005, 3:46 p.m. CT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Without offering specifics, the new chairman of
Louisiana's Democrats promised a "Louisiana agenda" Monday for a party
bruised by the loss of a Senate seat in last fall's elections.

Jim Bernhard, a successful businessman close to Gov. Kathleen Blanco,
spoke in the broadest terms to the Baton Rouge Press Club about his
plans to renew a party still smarting from internal divisions and its
recent electoral losses. He was chosen unanimously by the Democratic
State Central Committee Jan. 8 with support from the governor.

Like Blanco's message on the campaign trail in 2003, Bernhard's speech
Monday was neutral, free of ideology, and deliberately distanced from
the national Democrats. He didn't say what the "Louisiana agenda" is,
promising only to make it appeal to the broadest possible section of the
electorate.

"Why do we need to look for our agenda from the national party?" he
responded to a questioner. Bernhard, head of the Shaw Group, a Fortune
500 company, noted that he has only been a registered Democrat for about
a year.

[StClone]

1. Tim Roemer wing of Democratic Party?

Maybe he is legit, but how important are your convictions when it dawns on you only months ago?

Was he "convinced" by the CONS as another way to destroy us Dems. DINO?

[finecraft]

2. So lets recap... the Shaw Group gave $100,000 for the idiot's inauguration

Over 60% of their PAC contributions went to Republicans, Bernhard states the day after he is elected as state party chairman that his company will continue to contribute heavily to the party (Republican) that benefits his company the most, and now he says he's only been a registered Democrat for about a year. Perfect....just freaking perfect. What a GREAT choice as the person to lead the state Democratic party. Huey Long must be rolling over in his grave. (But I'm sure he does that quite regularly). I sincerely hope that Howard Dean gets the DNC job, so he can come down here and explain to Mr. Bernhard why Louisiana democrats "need to look for our agenda from the national party"....and kick some serious butt while he is at it. This whole Bernhard as chairperson crap is getting sick.

[AnnInLa]

5. Agree, Finecraft...I think that will be the test for him...(for me)

whether he looks to the national party progressives for his lead, or becomes repuke-lite for the state conservatives. I have strong reservations about this guy, and am hesitant to commit my time and dollars until he proves himself. Am not in any frame of mind to give him the benefit of the doubt first. If he's one of those who want to sacrifice traditional Dem values for the sake of "winning" elections here, I will devote my resources to national issues, not state ones.

[funkybutt]

3. I read that this morning and was intending to post on it

I found that to be quite shocking.

But first let me say this: For a long time there has been growing distaste for the two parties. Unfortunately the Democrats in power have not adequately represented the people of Louisiana. I personally registered about 150 new voters before the November election. The VAST majority of those chose to select "none" as their party affiliation. I believe that this is by no cooincidence. The Democrats have let the people of this state down.

I have spoken to democrats in other parts of the state that are in economic decline that were very excited about the prospect of having such an accomplished businessman lead our state party. Of course, I expressed my concerns about what I perceived to be his conflicts of interest. Despite my concerns, the fact is Bernhard is our Democratic Leader in Louisiana. He's just gotten started and although we have concerns, I'd like to see what he can do. I figure, we're kinda stuck with him at this point, so we can either work against him, in turn by doing nothing. Or hear him out and support his mission by getting organized and active. I choose the latter.

And down the road, if we feel he's done the state party an injustice, as the previous leaders did, let's let our outrage be heard and call for his resignation. But UNTIL then, I feel an urgency to try to move this party forward in any way I can. At this time, that way is to get organized and active.

http://www.createforum.com/phpbb/index.php?mforum=laprogressives

[funkybutt]

4. Great Gambit Article about Bernhard!

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/current/politics.html

After the pounding it took in the last round of elections, the Louisiana Democratic Party needed to search for new leadership. That's not a shot at former party chair Mike Skinner, a Lafayette attorney. Rather, it's a reflection of one of the fundamental rules of politics: winning matters.

When the party chose Shaw Group CEO Jim Bernhard as its new chair several weeks ago, it signaled that it was ready for the kind of sea change that many believe the Democratic infrastructure needs at all levels, from the national headquarters down to the parish committees.
...

These days, Bernhard is criss-crossing the state to meet with newspaper editors and local party leaders, mostly introducing himself and his vision. As part of his effort to build a party of ideas, he wants to conduct thorough research into major issues, propose realistic solutions, and then present them for public debate. He says he will ask all 3,500 Democratic elected officials in the state to donate at least $100 each to help bankroll the party's rebuilding effort. "If you can't give $100 as an elected official, you can't really call yourself a Democrat," Bernhard says.

Look for Bernhard to write a substantial check himself, which no doubt is a big reason he was given the job.