Also, if people participated in greater numbers (i.e. going to caucuses) then it would be more republican (small 'r').
A lot of people iI know are intimidated by the process or don't know how to be involved. I think it's good that if you just go you can learn and quickly.
Besides... We're THE PEOPLE's party right? Or that's how we bill ourselves.
I thought the Convention worked as it should. I went to it undecided. I ended up supporting RT. I think he's getting blamed for actions coming from the Legislature and Governor's office. I don't agree with everything he does, but overall he's done his best. I think... There is no mandate that we have to endorse and there is no reason that it should become simply a endurance contest. Peter wasn't gaining support; people were just leaving.
Just a few thoughts.
Matthew Philip 10-1, The Wedge
Steve Cross wrote:
What I have been talking about really doesn't deal with just the matter of the total number of delegates. (Although, I admit to contributing to that impression by saying that smaller conventions have merit.) My real point is changing the fundamental nature of conventions from exercises in self-selecting democracy to be republican (again, note the small "r.") What I'm ultimately saying is that the precincts should elect a few representatives to attend conventions rather than having the conventions being composed of virtually anyone who wants to come. The current procedure is not just a democracy (in the worst sense of that word) by one composed of self-selected members as well.�
�
The effect of the self-selecting is seen from the well-known fact that the delegates at conventions for the DFL are substantially more liberal than the rank-and-file DFL member. And for the Republicans, those who go are substantially more conservative (perhaps "reactionary") than Republicans as a whole. The advantage of republicanism (as advocated by James Madison) is that representatives have a responsibility of exercising judgment and not just being a pass-through for the collective will of the electors.�
�
All this is admittedly blue-sky stuff, but it might be something that the DFL, at least, might want to consider by way of reform for its own constitution.�
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