The Stonewall DFL is established as an official caucus of the State DFL Party.
Having been granted "official caucus" status they are required to be in compliance
with the DFL Party State Constitution. The State Party Constitution requires
officiers of the DFL Party to refrain from supporting unendorsed candidates who are
running against endorsed candidates. If the Stonewall DFL Caucus began supporting
unendorsed candidates against the DFL Party's endorsed candidate they would have
their "official
caucus" status terminated faster than you could say, "GLBT".
The purpose of the endorsement is for the DFL Party to reach consensus regarding a
candidate and unite behind that candidate. The level of support with in the party
needed to deny an endorsement to an incumbent DFL officerholder is high and perhaps
rightfully so. A divisive primary battles drains the party's limited resources, and
can cause splits in the DFL base that cannot be healed by the general election. On
the other hand the endorsement process gives challengers, who may not have the
financial resources and name recognition of an incumbent, a fighting chance of
winning an election if they can make a good case to the party regulars that an
incumbent should be replaced.
I came across this piece of campaign literature recently and submit it for your
consideration ( guess the candidate before the end of the piece)
Dear DFL Friend,
In a few days we will have an opportunity to change the political landscape in St.
Paul forever we can begin by Putting St. Paul First!
My campaign -- like those of Bill Clinton and Ross Perot does not limit its appeal to
political insiders. We will coninue to carry our message of change economic growth
--increased public safety -- and governmment reform to the people of St. Paul.
I am challenging the status quo in St. Paul -- with your help, we will defeat it!
Support my candidacy. Let's change the system. Let's take back our party. S
upport my candidacy and you will see jobs created business revitialized --
safer streets stronger schools and government controlled by its citizens, not the
other way around.
Unlike others seeking the mayoral office, I have outlined my positions and beliefs
with specific, hard hitting plans.
I am a moderate, and my political views do not rest well with those not concerned
about the middle class. My message does represent the vast majority of the people of
St. Paul.
Whether the party insiders want to believe it or not, they must face the political
reality:
First, the people of St. Paul won't fall for a candidate willing to sell his or her
political soul to the political fringe simply to secure the coronation of the city DFL
leadership.
Second, the appeal of the "message of change" so clearly presented by Bill Clinton and
Ross Perot has not died out -- it has grown more powerful.
Third, and most important, the people of this city will not absolutely will not elect
a candidate who is too far to the left or too far to the right. The people of St. Paul
want a mayor who will represent St. Paul.
I am that candidate. I will be that mayor.
Support me and you will see this city come together instead of coming apart.
Support my message of jobs, public safety and government reform and this city will
rise from its slumber.
Support my campaign and we will not just challenge the status quo we will defeat it!
I am ready to be Mayor for all the people of St. Paul. I want everyone Perot voters,
independents, Democrats and Republicans all who are willing to put St. Paul first
to join hands and work together.
Together, we the people, will ensure that this city's best days are yet to come.
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
P.S. Hope to see you at my upcoming Ward Meetings!
April 5, 1993 letter to DFL supporters prior to the DFL Ward Conventions.
The rest is history, Norm Coleman lost the DFL endorsement to State Rep. Andy
Dawkins. Coleman went on to win the Primary election and defeated the DFL endorsed
Dawkins in the general election to become mayor of St. Paul. Many to this day believe
Coleman and his supporters intentionally manipulated the endorsement process to
get Rep. Dawkins endorsed at the convention because they believed he would be the
easiest candidate with the DFL endorsement to defeat in the general election. Mayor
Coleman switched to the Republican Party shortly after he won re-election to a 2nd
term as mayor and then went on to run as the Republican Party candidate for governor
in 1998.
Dennis Hill
St. Paul DFL'er
West 7th Street
1993 Andy Dawkins Supporter
2001 Bob Long Supporter
----- Original Message -----
From: List Manager
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 7:51 PM
To: Mpls list
Subject: [Mpls] Strib columnist blasts Stonewall DFL
Doug Grow rips Stonewallers for finding Lisa McDonald and R.T. Rybak not
"acceptable."
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