TENNESSEE 2009 SUMMIT: My Soul is on Fire and I am Ready to Fight and Win.
I have attended many political events in my life, but I have never attended an event to where my soul was on fire. This happened to me when I attended the TNDP 2009 Summit at Monteagle, TN. For me, this was a revival of faith, hope, motivation and a call to action to fight and win. I met many interesting and diverse people and was in liberal heaven sharing conversation with democrats and fellow liberals in the moutains of Tennessee. I even gained a new respect for those with more conservative viewpoints.
This event was a divine intervention for a call to action in what is probably one of the most important elections in Tennessee political history. The Summit was exactly what Tennessee Democrats needed. It was a perfect blend of fellowship, diverse viewpoints, speakers, motivation, celebration, training, and education for a political event.
TNDP Chair, Chip Forrester, the TNDP staff and volunteers, sponsors and everyone who made this event possible should be thanked for a great event. This event could not have happened at a more critical time as the pefect political storm approaches the great state of Tennessee. Those who attended this Summit have experienced the urgency of the upcoming election, through the briefing of the current legislative climate in Tennessee, and have been given the essential tools needed to mobilize and spread the message across the state.
The prayer breakfast was especially inspiring for me, bringing back memories of the good religious experiences I had in my childhood and youth, in a time, before southern religion was blinded and misguided by far right wing GOP hypocrisy. I am blown away, after reading Roy Herron’s book “God and Politics”. This is the best book I have read on Christianity and Politics, clearly explaining the duties of each of us; to give to those in need; truely democratic and liberal virtues, shared values and beliefs.
This Summit has inspired and motivated me, I am sure it has had the same effect on everyone who attended. The rains fell on us in Monteagle, and the political storm is approaching, but my soul is on fire and I am ready to fight and win!
Mike K. Hampton
News Feed
Mike I couldn’t agree more. I left Monteagle wanting to package the whole weekend and bring it to Northeast Tennessee. The Prayer Breakfast did hit home with me because I am so tired of the Republicans defining my religion. Congressman Lincoln Davis blew me away when he spoke on Saturday night. Chairman Forrester and the whole team of volunteers at the TNDP have proven that they know what we need to do to win in 2010 and now it is up to us to make sure we follow through.
Hi Mike! Great to meet you this weekend. I echo what Janet wrote – I couldn’t agree more! All the best as you fight the good fight.
Mike you are right. I left feeling the same way. Im so glad to see us so unifyed and ready to work. I hope the Republicans know what they are in for in 2010.
I can’t agree strongly enough with the unprecedented nature of this event. I wish I could have taken each of our volunteers by the scruff of the neck like a Mama cat & hauled them down to Monteagle. Now my job is to somehow bring back the spirit of unity and purpose to them, despite our hostile culture outside the party and weary worn skeptism of a “changed tndp” inside. It’s one thing to share the fine information and relay the stories, it’s another to recreate the excitement and the true spirit of hope that was created there in the unlikely crucible of Jim’s Smokehouse.
So, we are going to recreate it. Plans are under way for a District 6 Summit and I will dedicate whatever I can to the TNDP to help take a mini-version of this event on tour to every part of the state. Thanks for blogging about it.
Mike, your right. Now it”s time to roll up our sleeves and go to work. Tennessee Democrats need to keep that vision and unity we shared at Monteagle alive all across the state as we get ready to win in 2010.
I know I’m a little late to the party in posting on this….but I must echo the sentiment of all who have commented. That one particular weekend in Monteagle, TN was, indeed, a call to action.
I left with so many new and valuable ideas and a refreshed sense of urgency.
Hold on folks, cause this is gonna be one hell of an election cycle….and I can’t wait!