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Published: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 03:15 PM

Monthly Democratic forums kick off in Fort Mill

Hoping to capitalize on the substantial gains the national party made in November, the York County Democratic Party kicked off a new, monthly forum series officials said will be held in the township.

The first forum was held last Thursday night at the Fish Market restaurant in Baxter Village. About 50 people attended the forum, the first large-scale Democratic gathering in Fort Mill since the Nov. 4 elections that sent one of their own to the White House and expanded their control of Congress.

"It was a really good turnout," said Cherie Mabrey, the second vice chairman of the York County Democratic Party. "It's a social event. We're trying to get together and keep people involved [in the party]."

Another reason to begin the series, according to Chris Ogden, who helped organize the event, is, "We also want to support causes we can all get involved with in our community."

The highlight of the night was a speech given by Jay Parmley, the executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party. Parmley, an Oklahoma native, said he passed up an opportunity to travel to Miami and watch the University of Oklahoma Sooners play in the college football national championship game to speak at the event.

"That's how much this party means to me," he said in the lighthearted introduction of his speech.

Parmley talked to the audience about the groundbreaking success of the Obama campaign and the steps forward that the Democratic Party took in South Carolina.

"We're trying to reach out to Democrats all across the state," Parmley said. "The '08 election really inspired people - we had a record number of active voters."

"This is a great group," he said about the Fort Mill forum. "It's great anytime we can get Democrats together to support Obama and Biden."

Although Obama did not win South Carolina, Parmley said Democrats should be encouraged by the progress he made in a typically red state.

"People say certain parts of the state are Republican, but everyone counts the same," he said. "We want to spend time trying to get as many voters as we can for 2010. We want to keep the momentum going."

Many of the people who attended said that the forum was proof of the progress made by the Obama campaign during the last two years.

"Eight years ago this kind of gathering wouldn't have happened," said Tega Cay resident Roberta Whitaker. "We didn't have this kind of organization. For a long time I thought I was the only Democrat."

Fort Mill resident Carol-Mason McMeekin said she is a longtime Democrat, but became more active during the recent election.

"I've always been a supporter. I'm a long time supporter of John Spratt," McMeekin said. "The recent momentum did make me more involved. I hope the momentum comes through in these events."