Eve Young wrote: >The party belongs to those who show up.< This is so true. I've been to pretty much every precinct caucus since I moved to Moorhead, and now Minneapolis. The number of attendees varies with the interest in the presidential race. But I've chaired enough of them to know that those who show up make the difference. Even my last one, which was me and another couple.
Eve again: >I have gotten email from time to time (in my position with Log Cabin Republicans) from gay people who have gone to Republican caucuses - and leave feeling utterly devastated because of the anti-gay vitriol they hear from fellow caucus attendees.< I believe this. It doesn't happen at my caucus, because I won't tolerate it. But then again, folks may watch their mouths more closely around me--with a well-grown ponytail I don't look very conservative. Plus, I tend to speak up about some of the more silly resolutions (I just asked *which* ten commandments they intended to post). But again and again, I have attended party events and been pleasantly surprised by the serious interest in recruiting new members, gay and straight, black, brown yellow and white, from state and city party officials. They're interested in new blood and new ideas. Eva again: >Also - moderates often don't feel welcome at Democratic caucuses either. I've heard similar criticism of the DFL.< Oh boy are you right about this. My ex-wife was a DFL activist, and I attended a lot of DFL functions, and man, the hate was visceral. If you're not solidly in the pro-labor, pro-choice crowd, it's not a happy place to be. Ask Colin Peterson, who is a very centrist US house member from the 7th district. Every time he has to struggle to get through the district convention and suffer attacks because he's a pro-life, NRA member Democrat. M. G. Stinnett Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
