Great post by Jay.
Growing up in Chicago in the 70's and 80's, my mother was our precinct captian. From one Daley through the next, she was there. Back then there were few women and I believe she was the youngest. I grew up watching 'the machine' at work. It worked well too, mostly because it delivered. People got their sidewalks fixed, garbage cleaned up, good police response and access to people who could 'massage' the process for them. Machine politics works because it delivers to its constituents exactly what they ask for. Of course it goes directly against good governing principles and government reform, meaning that corruption and willy-nilly spending may run a little wild.
Working in politics here in Minnesota and observing the Minneapolis election, I can honestly say that the things I picked up on growing up simply does not apply here. Good government and reform people dominate the scene and its been the history of Minneapolis and Minnesota to lean in that direction. We have led the nation on that note. Outsiders that come here to work, during the election season, from the East Coast and Chicago cannot believe how open and clean our electoral process is.
If there was truely a DFL machine in place, the sitting Mayor would have got the endorsement easily because anyone from the same party would have known their career would be over the minute they announce their candidacy or there would have been a nice appointment ready for them after bowing out. Turnout in 'unfriendly' wards would have been suspiciously low and door to door rides and reminders in the 'friendly' wards.
Of course in that same machine I doubt very much that Minneapolis would be one of the best big cities (the best IMHO) to live in in the free world, our bond rating would not pull in some of the highest numbers (yes it does) and you wouldn't be able to pick up the phone and call your council member - at home. That's what your precinct captain would be for.
Minneapolis has a very clean and open process and it seems to be on a continuing move to thwart any efforts to change for the worst.
Eric Mitchell
Former-Mill District Ward 5
BTW - My parents did not directly get employent through Mother's political work. Late in the 70's my father did join the Chicago Fire Department. My mother was a stay at home mom, later she taught school - private school.
Jay Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Matthea Smith and Dennis Schapiro raised the question of whether
Minneapolis has a DFL machine, with Dennis citing its ability to
distribute a quarter million sample ballots.
The ability to pass out hundreds of thousands of sample ballots is
almost inconsequential for political machines.
The core of machine politics is the ability to control blocs of votes by
providing personal help and favors, and personally knowing each and
every voter.
The road warrior of the political machine is the precinct captain.
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