Comments on: Letter From Brian Melendez to DFL District Chairs

By: Virtually Speakinig

Virtually Speakinig — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:19:53 +0000

Secretary of State Ritchie talked on MPR about the Precinct Caucus process.

Today, Senator Dan Larson was on MPR with Gary Eichten.

Both gave good interviews, but I was not comfortable with the way Senator Larson answered one question. It was from a listener that called in and asked about paying for the cost of the precinct caucuses.

I felt Larson’s answer implied the State pays for it, when in fact I believe that the Parties pay the costs associated with the Precinct Caucuses, as they print up the materials, and also rent the locations where the events are held.

Schools are expensive to rent because they operate on tight budgets and want additional revenue.

Churches may be cheaper to rent, particularly those that have a community service commitment. This is sort of amusing because of our separation of church and state style of government.

By: Cassie A

Cassie A — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:57:33 +0000

A few things…many of the conveners of caucus’ are volunteers that would rather be doing something else - so many people want to see ‘organization’ but they don’t show up to help. All the conveners I know, ended up being the only volunteer to show up and run these things on Tuesday night - many cases they couldn’t find someone in a precinct to volunteer, so they missed their own caucus to run one for where they couldn’t find a volunteer.

You and your neighbors could volunteer today to help run an ‘organized’ caucus next time around - good luck.

Secondly - they only reason it was this big this time around was because everything wasn’t already decided after Iowa and New Hampshire like every other year…most years caucus in Minnesota is irrelevant for the presidential….why change the process now for some anomoly that might not happen again for 40 or 50 years?

change it and next caucus I will be sitting there in a huge room with same old 9 neighbors who are always there no matter what…

By: Dexter

Dexter — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:55:13 +0000

I also spoke with a first-time caucus woman who was leaving the caucus within 30 minutes of being there. She told me that she came but did not cast her vote because when she FINALLY figured out her precinct, then FINALLY found the room, it was too crowded in the room and there was no where to stand or sit. She made the drive there with every intention to participate, but left flustered and aggravated.

This is a disaster. Again- I was thrilled at the turn out, but even caucus day in previous years was just as awfully disorganized. How can we expect new caucus-goers to EVER want to come back when seasoned caucus-goers also leave infuriated? I spoke to a man who had attended several caucuses in the past. He said that that after searching for his precinct room for several minutes through the “maze,” he honestly considered leaving.

Every year I attend the caucus, I can’t help but wonder if SOME of the “king makers” and party bosses want the caucus system to drive away newcomers so that it can continue to be an “insider’s game.”

By: Dexter

Dexter — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:41:39 +0000

I totally agree with this well-written letter. I was thrilled to see such a high turnout, but deeply disappointed (again) with the lack of any kind of organization. I spoke to several new caucus-goers who said it was extremely confusing when they were trying to find which precinct they were in, and it was just as confusing trying to find the room… Many said they would never do it again which made sad. We must do something to improve this chaotic, unorganized system.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:39:35 +0000

The DFL endorsement produced Wellstone, but it also produced Hatch and Moe, leaving better (and more electable) DFL candidates behind. In 2000, it gave us Jerry Janesich, which was just so stupid everyone just ignored the endorsement.

By: Lou

Lou — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:51:20 +0000

We registered people aofr our precinct 15 in Edina. the registration process took from 6:30 til 8:15 for two of us. I sure several people we registered belonged in a different precinct. The prior caucus list slowe the process because we had to look for their names and when it wasn’t there we had to explain it was not the voters registration list (which would have helped). We ran out registration forms and then reverted to yellow sheets of paper for registering. Because all Edina precincts caucused in the same location (middle school) the 62 crosstown was completely stalled, the parking was used up, so many parked seveal blocks away in Church lots or any where they could find. We normally would have about 60 -80 attendees and had over 250 in our pprecinct. I can’t help but wonder how mant never got there because of traffic and parking issues and how many ended up in the wrong precinct because the maps suppied didn’t have enough detail. And how many, because of the long wait in line or inability to get into the room which was overheated beacause of the number of folks in the room, will ever participate again. While it was exciting it was a mess!!!

By: Eric F.

Eric F. — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:09:37 +0000

Seems to me the best answer is a hybrid system (like I understand they have in Texas) — a primary for the Presidential race, and then a caucus that same evening, wherein those who can/wish to attend discuss platform, party governance, and delegate selections (with the Presidential delegates having been decided by the primary). Best of both worlds? I was very uncomfortable with something as important as the Presidential nomination being decided in a system which was far more chaotic than a typical high school student council election. In my precinct we never even mentioned the Senate race…

By: Kerosene Hat

Kerosene Hat — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:25:14 +0000

The fact that Franken, the money candidate, did well in the caucus shows that you are wrong TPT.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:22:00 +0000

The inability of the state party to raise money is the only reason to switch to primary system. Then its up the election arms of the counties and Secretary of State to make sure that everything is in order and working.

The caucus system endured and worked well, the party could prepare with more support (more materials and bigger venues). Each district had to come out of their own pocket and work it the best we could.

The voter file is great but, beyond that, maybe we should be discussing the role of the state party or the leadership. This was grassroots all the way from beginning to end.

By: TwoPuttTommy

TwoPuttTommy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:22:09 +0000

The ability to raise money is a limiting factor for entry into the electoral system.

Going from a caucus system to a primary makes that bad situation much, Much, MUCH worse.

Go to a primary, and you’ll never again see a Paul Wellstone emerge from the people.