David Bruaer writes: "My proposal is to hold the precinct caucuses and ward conventions the same day, in the same place. Let the candidates address precinct delegates en mass like they have done at ward conventions"
David this is where we most distinctly disagree. Having a caucus and an endorsement the same day is tantamount to having a primary in which voters instead of having the ability to go to the polls to cast a vote are required to participate in a meeting and then if they really want their vote to count, sit around for the mechanism of a convention. Anyone can show up and vote, regardless of past party activity or lack thereof, there is no party, no platform except that which might be cobbled together on the day, no continuity or connection with other party apparatus or philosophy required. The purpose of the entire event becomes a one day exercise with no commitment required to democratic party principles. A one day campaign by candidates for office is not my idea of a thoughtful democratic process. The endorsement is determined by ability to turn out bodies, not by engaging in debate or the discussion of issues. I am a democrat and believe in the DFL party's endorsement process, because it enabled me to become a credible candidate when I was a 24 year nobody. I ran against two other contenders and needed to visit with the delegates in my ward on a one on one basis during my campaign for the endorsement. Your proposed process does away with that. I think the net result is a serious loss of rigor in the endorsement process. It treats the party and the endorsement process as a tool, the mere plumbing for the elections process and not as a deliberative process. If this is what our endorsement is to devolve to, I may need to re-examine my support for caucuses. They are no longer a party function, but merely a way to get ones name on the ballot via a process that is less open than a standard primary in which people can choose the time to vote based on when the polls are open, and cast their vote in minutes rather than hours. The party is a party first. Our caucuses are a procedure we use to make decisions. Our endorsements are one aspect of our party, not the be-all and end-all. Earl Netwal 12-9 NENA 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
