Re: [Mpls] Wagenius vs. Skoglund contest ends before it begins?

[Michelle Mensing]

I agree Steve Marchese's points about the Skoglund/Wagenius contest in response to the issues raised in prior postings.  I will also add that the extent to which the DFL party controls politics in Minneapolis (ie-backroom politics controlled by political regulars) is strongly connected to the low level of involvement by ordinary citizens in local political activity.  The DFL party does have an open process for regular citizens to get involved, as Mr. Marchese points out, but I think it is an underutilized process.  I think there are many DFL voters out there who have never considered coming to a caucus and making their voice heard.  Maybe the assumption made by Melanie Gilbert in the initial post that the DFL is a back room political game is one of the reasons the average DFL voter doesn't get involved.  Perhaps the DFL should do a better job of promoting caucus and endorsing activities. It seems that there would be enough concerned citizens in a city like Minneapolis to fill all the delegate spots for endorsing conventions.  Does anybody know the average percentage of delegate spots not filled?  I don't know the stats, but I have the impression that there are regularly empty delegate positions, compared with the DFL historically when even alternate positions filled up.   I think voters who care what kinds of candidates emerge from endorsing conventions and end up in primaries should become more active at the party level.  The reality in Minneapolis is that the DFL party does dominate.  Political contests are often won at endorsing conventions rather than primary or even general elections. The only other comment I would add to the previous posting is in response to advocating Green Party activity in Minneapolis.  I agree with that, but I am also a strong supporter of independent (not to be confused with Independence Party) candidates running in local and state elections.    Michelle Mensing Armatage     --------------- I've posted on the Wagenius/Skoglund race before and was interested in both the original message and reply here.  I am one of the SD 62 delegates who will be at the convention on Saturday.  Now, I have to say, as one who grew up in New York City, I am familiar with backroom politicians as features of the political landscape.  What has been amazing to me in my less than one year living in Minnesota is that I could walk into an open DFL precinct caucus on a weekday evening in March and, if interested, volunteer to be a delegate and actually have a say in who will be a candidate to represent me.   No secret dealings.  No one checking my credentials (except perhaps my drivers license to prove I live in the precinct).  This is a process a quantum leap more open than I ever experienced back in my native Empire State. I for one am glad that Wes Skoglung decided to run for the Senate.  It means that those of us who live in 62B can actually get the benefit of two experienced legislators without having to choose between them.  I think it's a win-win situation.  Now, will they win?  I agree that history is on the side of the DFL candidate.  For better or worse (and I would argue better more often), the DFL is the dominant party in Minneapolis.  I am all for competition, however, and I truly believe that the Green Party (I just can't bring myself to add the Republican Party in there) provide some real alternatives and I think serve to keep everyone on their toes.  This is as it should be.  But, let the ideas, positions  and records of the candidates speak for themselves.  If, in the end, Holle Brian will have to convince a majority of folks that she would be a better representative for 62B.  And Jean Wagenius will have to respond with her record on behalf of the people she has represented and why she should be allowed to return. To my mind, much seems to have gone right under DFL leadership in Minneapolis.  And some things have gone wrong, hence the need for a strong progressive voice reminding elected officials who they serve.  That could be the Greens or through other progressive activities.  But I think it serves the process more to focus on what people say, have done and plan to do than to impugn them for having served in office and won re-election.  To me, that sounds like success in a democracy. Steve Marchese Hale House 62B