Mike Nelson wrote:
I just came home from my precinct caucus. I seriously doubt I will be returning. When we were in the process of filling our allotted number of delegates,we had more volunteers than open positions. Someone made a suggestion regarding how we might eliminate some people. The suggestion: " I think anyone who is a white male should step down..." I didn't even stay to hear the rest of her suggestion. I left.
Steve Nelson wrote:
I am sorry you experienced this at your caucus, Mike, but wouldn't that be the perfect time to remind people that the DFL is the party of INCLUSION not EXCLUSION. Walking out, while it may feel good at the moment, ends up being a disservice to the rest of the attendees who may well have agreed with you given half a chance.
Don't give up on the party over one incident. Get out their and bring your friends to next year's caucuses so you can form your own subcaucus!
I would tend to agree with Steve, here. It's not the DFL party that's the problem, it's just a few individuals in your precinct caucus, Mike. That's a pretty tiny fraction of the city's DFL party as a whole.
As for Dean Carlson's contention that precinct caucuses are lightly attended and used by old hacks to further their agenda, I also disagree. As was pointed out, under the previous system, there would be no inclusion of new people as there would not even be caucuses. I also just returned from my caucus -- the first I've ever attended. I did not feel excluded because I was a newcomer. I had no problem becoming a delegate. And the turn out seemed pretty good to me -- maybe 400 to 500 people.
Chris Johnson Fulton
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