DNC helps jumpstart faith initiative
JACKSON (Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006) – The chief of staff of the Democratic National Committee believes working with faith groups in Mississippi will help educate voters this year’s elections, next year’s state races and the 2008 presidential contest.
Leah D. Daughtry said the Republican Party has framed the value-issue debate around one or two divisive issues. But, she said, the country is facing several, more important, high-profile moral issues.
“What about children having enough to eat?” Daughtry said today. “What about affordable housing? What about decent health care? What about elders being able to care for themselves? Those are moral issues. Those are values issues, too.”
Daughtry spoke at the Mississippi Democratic Party Finance Council luncheon and, later in the day, at a meeting with representatives from different faith groups in the metropolitan Jackson area.
At lunch, Daughtry spoke about the DNC’s commitment to helping all states – including Mississippi – strengthen their Democratic Party organization by helping provide enough staff to do an effective job spreading the word.
Current and past elected officials who attended the event, including former Gov. William Winter, agreed and thanked the DNC for its support. Others attending the meeting included House Speaker Billy McCoy and former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.
The goal of Daughtry’s second meeting: Establish a dialogue with religious groups, hear their concerns about issues and begin creating a foundation for the Mississippi Democratic Party to better communicate party stands with religious leaders.
Elected officials and representatives from churches around metropolitan Jackson attended the meeting. They said they welcomed the chance to talk to party leaders about specific issues of importance to the people.
“This is a good start,” said the Rev. Paul Luckett, pastor of Blessed Trinity United Methodist Church in Jackson. “We came together on one accord – to work on a message not only for the Democratic Party but for the entire state.”
Keelan Sanders, executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party, said the effort will help the party develop a clear message – which is important for the Nov. 7 general election and next year’s state and county elections.
“For far too long the Republican Party has defined or claimed itself the party of moral issues,” Sanders said. “But it’s clear we are the party of the people. This meeting today will help influence the message for this election and lay groundwork for next year.”
Daughtry said similar faith initiatives have been successful in other states across the country. She said it makes sense to talk to religious leaders about what issues are on the minds of the members of their churches.
“Leaders in the faith community represent voters – folks who have cares and concerns about a variety of issues from child care to elder care to the price of gas,” she said. “What we want to do is hear from them.”
