[Mpls] Caucus

[Chris Johnson]

>> 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