Young Democrats receive guidance from host of speakers

Sunday, August 22, 2004

Win or lose, the important thing to remember about politics is to get involved and stay involved.

That was the message several young elected officials had for their audience at the Kentucky Young Democrats 2004 State Convention, held Saturday at Bowling Greens Carroll Knicely Conference Center. The day consisted of several panel discussions focusing on topics important to the partys younger members.

One early-afternoon panel discussion included two local faces Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken, and Chris Cohron, first assistant commonwealths attorney for Warren County as well as other Democratic officials from around the state. Panelists shared stories about their own political experiences and gave advice to the crowd of about 20, then fielded questions.

As Democrats, especially young Democrats, we have to get in there and unite our party, Milliken said. There are huge issues out there that affect people our age.

The panelists spent most of the informal 40-minute discussion talking about how important it is to become involved with the party, and to encourage others to do the same.

We wont win unless we deliver the goods to the voters, said David Kaplan, an attorney and former candidate for state senate. Thats what elects Democrats were the party that gets things done.

Some shared stories of how they continued to stay involved, even after waging unsuccessful campaigns. Dan Borsch, an attorney and former candidate for Louisville Metro Council, said he was running against a popular, well-known Republican and lost but he didnt let that get him down.

Its worth a shot, he said. Win or lose, you learn a whole lot about yourself and the community.

Other panelists included Rob Holtzmann, Kentucky Young Democrats executive director, assistant to the campaign manager of Mongiardo for U.S. Senate and commissioner for Parkway Village; Adam Smith, Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress from the 2nd District; and Chris Brady, Democratic nominee for Louisville Metro Council, District 20. The moderator was Perry Stokes, property valuation administrator for Todd County.

Cohron told a story about how he was once encouraged to run as a Republican because it would increase his chances of winning. He didnt.

My family members are lifelong Democrats, he said. I would rather be unemployed than not run as a Democrat.

An audience member asked the panelists how they handle personal attacks from citizens and opponents in the political world. Each panelist said that a person has to have thick skin to be in politics.

No matter what you do, people will come up to you and hate you, Borsch said. Theyll tell you that. But you have to move on.

Borsch and Kaplan agreed that when one candidate attacks another, the best thing to do is issue a swift response thats the way the modern game of politics is played.

Sometimes its below the belt, Kaplan said. I think we all want campaigns to be positive and about the issues, but sometimes youll be attacked. Thats part of the game.

Brady had a slightly different view personal attacks are unprofessional and should never be part of the race, he said.

You have to stay focused on the goals, he said. That lets you do two things one, you keep the electorate educated and set your agenda, and two, you stay on a professional level. … If an opponent has to go down to the personal level, Id respond that he must have no issues to talk about.

Saturdays convention started with speeches from prominent Democrats in the state, including Daniel Mongiardo, Kentucky state senator and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; Billy Ray Smith, former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture; Rob Wilkey, Kentucky state representative for District 22; and Steve Wilson, circuit court judge for Warren County.

Attendees had lunch with Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo before attending other panel discussions, where topics included working with the media, fund-raising and the Internet, and managing campaigns. It ended with a post-convention reception to raise money for the Kerry/Edwards presidential ticket.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700