Tamir:
Then why were so many local DFLers who supported presidential candidates other than Kerry, especially Kucinich supporters kept from being delagates? Why are there so many progressives, or people who want change within the DFL, unable to get their concerns addressed?
Tamir,
I am depply involved in the local DFL and can sincerely state that this statement is not true. Kucinich delegates had a huge turnout at our district convention and went on to be elected delegates to the state and Congressional District conventions in numbers that far surpassed their percentage of supporters in the electorate. In the 5th CD, Kucinich delegates dominated the Nominations committee, and promoted many from within their ranks to party leadership. I, myself, was a Dean supporter and delegate and had no trouble with that. Kerry was not the obvious choice, even as late as March when our precinct caucuses were held.
More to your original post about the DFL endorsement - that endorsement can only be won with 60% of the votes from the delegates. Unfortunatley or not, delegate slots are rarely competitive and anyone who wants to be among those voters usually has no problem becoming one. It is an open process. And I say that as someone who lat year sought the DFL endorsement and lost. Because I believed the process was fair and open, I chose not to run against the endorsed candidate. Nobody forced me to make that decision.
I share some of your concerns about PR. Especially as a resident of Northeast, which is already seriously under-represented in local government at-large bodies, I fear the Southwest would simply dominate the council because they have higher turnout. The areas of our city with the lowest voter turnout (Near North, Dinkytown), could become the next 'flyover country'. Those seeking election wouldn't have to spend their time or resources trying to gain their (relatively) small number of votes. Ask anyone who's run for an at-large office lately where they put their time and money.
As for independents and thrid partiers having a fair shot, I think there are some ways to level the playing field. First, Primaries are the best way to do this. You don't need party endorsement to run in a primary (Ask RT, Don Samuels or Arne Carlson). If you can make your case to the voters, you can advance to the general election. This is especially true of our 'nonpartisan' city offices because the entire field runs in the primary regardless of party affiliation or endorsement. I'd also be intersted in exploring ways of using party fusion, or dual-endorsement. It seems that if you can convince 60% of the delegates in any party to support you, you should win their endorsement (s).
-Dorian Eder Windom Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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