Is this really accurate -- only 18 votes needed for endorsement, only 29 delegates total?
Yes, Tim it is accurate.
How can an endorsement from such a small group be meaningful?
It is meaningful to the small group that does it.
At the Minneapolis DFL Convention, most candidates had more people than that standing up on stage to visibly support them. Even the candidate with the lowest vote count (dropped on the first ballot) had 33% more votes than the total needed for endorsement here. There were 880+ DFL'ers in attendance at that Convention, and it took over 500 votes to get an endorsement. An endorsement like that shows definite support from a sizable group of active citizens. Since when is size of a convention the only thing that counts for garnering thousand of votes when it is election time?
What has happened to the Green Party that so few people participate in their endorsing convention?
Nothing has happened to the Green Party. The Green Party is 10 Years old here in Minnesota and is growing (not shrinking). However, many of its members are in other groups, activities, etc. and for various reasons the GP has had problems with holding its meetings. However, the base is bigger that the meeting attendance numbers show. Our monthly meeting notice goes out to almost 300 members so 10% isn't the worst turnout I've ever seen. Also currently the Party is divided down in different ways than the DFL. We just aren't big enough yet. This was a 5th District Endorsing meeting but so far we do not have a separate Minneapolis Chapter although that is being proposed for next year.
Some additional facts:
1 - Ralph Nader was an anomaly which increased the numbers for one cycle - much too early in The Green Party's life.
2- As a National Party we are growing with California and Wisconsin leading the pack with number of elected officeholders, members and thus delegates to the National Convention. Almost got a Green Party Mayor in San Francisco last year.
3 - Minnesota will have 26 delegates to the National Convention in Milwaukee this year. They will be chosen at the upcoming State Convention being held in Bemidji.
4- The Green Party is not just a local but National and International Party in over 80 countries. Its Four Pillars and 10 Key Values resonate around the world.
3- Many of the Naderites in 2000 were "lost, frustrated, spaced out, want things different" Democrats who really believed in the anti-war message, Kucinich or Dean and went to those caucuses in order to get that message back into the Democratic party.
6- The one thing we really have in common is the growth of both of our parties by young people. The under 30's are grappling with what to do about the future and are crying out for change.
Thank you for asking Tim.
Annie Young Fifth District Steering Committee member, Green Party
Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson
The 5th District Green Party endorsing convention did not endorse a school
board candidate.
. . .
18 votes were needed to get the endorsement. Kari Tauring received 17, Doug Mann 4,
None-Of-The-Above 8.
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
To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. --Donald A. Adams
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
