I'm a long time St. Paul DFL'er and I've been following the reports about the Mpls Ward Conventions paying particular attention to the turnout for each ward. To be truthful I have to say I am concerned about the low number of participants reported at some of the conventions. St. Paul Ward conventions will be held April 17, 21, and 22. The precinct meetings are being held the same day as the conventions in an attempt to make the process more user friendly (one day committment). This is the first time the City of St. Paul DFL has used this setup during the city cycle endorsement process. The number of delegates that can be elected to each ward convention from the precicnt meetings are as follows: Ward 1 - 318 Ward 2 - 394 Ward 3 - 462 Ward 4 - 434 Ward 5 - 300 Ward 6 - 276 Ward 7 - 289 Total 2473 Now these numbers are potential delegates and whether or not we fill every delegate spot remans to be seen, but at least in St. Paul the opportunity exists for a candidate to bring new people in to fill each spot rather than having a lot vacant seats because of no-shows or people being shut out because they weren't elected delegates in 2000. I believe that any credible DFL city council incumbent should be able to get at least 100 supporters to a ward convention to ensure their endorsement. If they go into that convention with less than that they are setting themselves up for an upset. A challenger also should be trying to get as many folks to attend also if they are serious about taking on an incumbent for the endorsment. Now I know in Mpls the system is set up so that a challenger has a much more difficult time getting new people involved and that should be changed in my opinion. The supporters of constitutional amendment to elect delegates in the same year as the election should be making an issue of the low turnout this year as proof that the change is needed if the endorsement process is going to have validity. Dennis Hill St. Paul DFL'er Ward 2 - West 7th Street.
|
