[Mpls] re: Recent history of 2nd Ward DFL endorsements and a proposal

[Tim Bonham]

>        My first and last ward endorsing convention put me off a bit. I can't
>remember the number of ballots (few), but I do remember what happened between
>last two votes: An assistant to the incumbent CP handed her cell phone to the
>lowest vote getter, he listened to it, then proceeded to throw his support to
>the incumbent in the final vote.

         The actual votes of that convention are still online at the 
mpls.dfl.org website --
see here http://www.scc.net/~t-bonham/MPLSW02.HTM.

There were only 2 ballots; Joan Campbell had 55% on the first one, and was 
endorsed with 61% on the second ballot.
         Brian Hanninen had 16% on the first ballot; he encouraged his 
delegates to support Joan Campbell.  But only 6% actually moved to 
Campbell, 9% moved to Zerby and 1% moved to no endorsement.  (Candidates 
can try to "throw their support" however they want, but DFL delegates make 
up their own mind; they are a notoriously unregimented bunch.)

I don't recall anything about this cell phone incident; I don't even see 
how it would make sense.
         Joan Campbell and Brian Hanninen were standing next to each other 
in the hall outside the ballot counting room, talking.  Pal Zerby was 
further down that hall, speaking to delegates and waiting for his chance to 
talk to Brian Hanninen.  They weren't more than 50 feet apart; the Park 
building isn't all that big.  I don't see why a cell phone would be needed 
at all.

Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson.