Tiny Fenton Dem Club Getting Noticed (GAG ALERT!)

Fenton - Six people sit around a table and the meeting of the Fenton Democratic Club is called to order.

Here in the far southern end of Genesee County, Democrats' rallying cries echo no louder than a whisper. In ideology and geography, Fenton is closer to Republican-dominated Oakland County.

The Democratic Club here is in its infancy, just 6 months old. The largest turnout at one of its meetings was 28 people.

It's a start, said Ray Lord, former UAW Local 659 official and co-chairman of the Fenton club.

"This is truly a grassroots organization. A lot of people claim to be grassroots, but this really is," said Lord, a Fenton Township resident.

Every attendee had a say before the group voted to endorse a Democratic candidate for governor.

Their comments jumped from disgust over President George W. Bush's "stolen" election to drilling for oil under the Great Lakes to a lack of food safety inspectors.

The vote eventually was unanimous to back U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Mount Clemens for governor. The group also plans to back candidates for Fenton City Council.

"This is the community I live in and I want to have a say," said Kelly Thompson, co-chairwoman.

Thompson believes the area is home to more Democrats than it is given credit for.

Residents in the area favored Bush with 52 percent of the vote last year. Genesee County as a whole backed Vice President Al Gore with 63 percent.

Lord carries with him a faded yellow bumper sticker. It is a leftover from state Sen. Dianne Byrum's unsuccessful bid in the 8th Congressional District, which includes southern Genesee County. After a recount, she lost to now-U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers by 111 votes.

"If we would have had a Democratic Club in our area, Dianne Byrum would have been elected," Lord said. "You can change things if you are active."

Genesee County Commissioner David B. Robertson, the lone Republican on the county board, agreed that local party groups can energize voters.

The small margin of victory for Rogers could well have come from Republicans in Flint Township who came to the polls to boost a slate of township candidates, said Robertson of Grand Blanc Township.

Lord has a long history of Democratic efforts in the Fenton area, Robertson said.

"He's a member of the loyal opposition," said Robertson, who has announced his candidacy in 2002 against state Rep. Patricia A. Lockwood, D-Fenton.

Grassroots activity in areas where Democrats are in the minority can have a dramatic effect, said Daniel T. Kildee, Genesee County treasurer and vice president of the county Democratic party.

"A lot of times the success of a party and our ticket has as much to do with how you do in the areas you lose as it does with the areas you win," Kildee said.

Genesee County particularly has a long history of local political clubs. The Third District Democratic Club in the Burton area is considered one of the oldest in the state.

There are other Democratic groups too, including an informal one in Clio and another newcomer, the Burton Democratic Club. Begun in June, the Burton group is part of a more influential league of clubs that also are political action committees. This gives it the power to back its verbal endorsement with financial fortitude.

In three months, the group has enrolled 80 members and banked more than $4,000, which it plans to dole out to candidates it endorses.

"It was the right time and the right place. We've grown almost overnight," said Genesee County Commissioner Ted Hammon, D-Burton, who helped form the group and whose wife, Linda, serves as its chairwoman. "If you have a real seated belief, you just naturally want to perpetuate it."

Dennis Denno, spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party, said local clubs also help the statewide party identify important issues.

"Nobody knows local issues better than local people," Denno said. "They have no qualms about telling us what works and what doesn't and that's helpful."

These local clubs will prove valuable next year during the gubernatorial race, when Democrats hope to take over the state's highest office after 12 years under Gov. John M. Engler, Kildee said.

"It is very difficult to build an organization between a primary and a general election. Existing organizations have the ability to reach out to voters and talk to their neighbors," Kildee said.

Their comments jumped from disgust over President George W. Bush's "stolen" election

Lord If I have to hear that one more time I am going to BARF!

You can tell a rabid, idiot Democrat by two phrases:

"I blame Bush for the bad economy" (nevermind the NASDAQ was down 70% when GWB took the oath of office)
and "Bush stole the election".

Their next little meeting just cries out for a burning effigy of Clinton (either or both) on the front lawn of their meeting place.

I was born and raised in Flint (Genesee County). After 21 years, I managed to escape. The ingorance espoused in the Flint Urinal piece and the fact that 63% of those in Genesee County supported Gore is not surprising. I am sure it is the same 63% that voted for Mayor Stanley, who has single-handedly caused a $12 million debt for the City of Flint, causing the city to cancel many police, fire and educational services. He is facing a recall, but he will survive due to the lack of brain cells in the county.

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