by Brent Frazier
Hendersonville, TENN. - In a political world dominated by 'D's' and 'R's,' democrats and republicans, some American voters admit they are increasingly frustrated by an apparent lack of focus in Washington. This weekend, another grassroots political group launched its countrywide campaign, including right here in Music City.
"I worked on the Obama campaign," said Claudia Hanes of Bowling Green, KY, a former diehard democrat who admits she's fed up by her party, currently; even the Obama administration, currently. Hanes is one of the thousands of Americans branching out and finding political solace in an effort called the "Coffee Party."
"They (Democrats) speak an agenda, but as soon as it's challenged they back down. And I just can't respect that," Hanes, a retired school teacher, told NewsChannel 5 Saturday afternoon, following an informal meeting with local Coffee Party members. The group met at the Hendersonville Panera Bread restaurant.
The Coffee Party was started up only weeks ago by Washington DC area documentary filmmaker Annabel Park.
"Just like in the American Revolution, we are looking for real representation," Park told CNN this weekend. "We don't feel represented by a government right now." Park is drawing pot shots, and criticism, from detractors, some of whom are with the newly founded "Tea Party."
"(The effort) is driven from the top down," said one critic in Washington. "It's not a grassroots group movement, coming from the bottom up."
Annabel Park is accused of volunteering in years past for the Democratic party, and working especially hard on the Obama run for the White House in 2008.
Arguing without being rude, and respectful of everyone's viewpoints, is motivation for Heidi Kalakoc, of Hendersonville. Also a Democrat, Kalakoc attended Saturday's meeting in Hendersonville, in search of a healthier, political alternative.
"It's a reaction, perhaps, to the Tea Party, but it's not the opposite of the Tea Party," Kalakoc said. "We probably have many of the same things that we want to complain about. We also are not happy with the way the government is, but we are wanting to be the calmer version of how to address it."
Nationally, Coffee Party members and newcomers are vowing to reconvene on March 27, to discuss ways to engage members of Congress during the upcoming Easter recess.
