I agree with David B. and Loki. Under the old system the lag between the caucus just concluded and next year's municipal round seems like an eternity. There were enormous turnouts this year for reasons far more elevated than our local situation would likely engender. There are many new faces exercised for reasons beyond the purview of this local discussion list with no guarantee that this novel interest will continue into the municipal election cycle.
New caucuses next year will draw yet more new faces that would not find a home were there no contemporary precinct caucus to welcome them. There may well be a lively contest around the mayor's reelection campaign and I know there will be a hot time in the ward races in my part of south Minneapolis - for reasons very familiar AND germane to the readers of this list. "All politics is local" goes the saying, and the municipal races are the absolute ground on which all political superstructures must rest. Another reason for fresh assemblies derives from the ever-changing mix of issues. We don't know now what will be the hottest topics next February and thereafter. With a new constellation of keenly interested caucus participants, candidates will have to craft messages attuned to the times. They won't be able to avoid the critical attention given voice at these municipal gatherings. They won't be able to depend on the lowered attention span and diminished participation of the even-year enthusiasts. They won't have the benefit of the elevated influence of the "old hands" that would otherwise dominate the endorsement process. Then too, the Park Board and School Board elections next year will also be quite the circus. There's no realistic way to focus on these decisions in the heat of a presidential campaign season. Fred Markus, West Phillips 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
