What can we do about a totally dysfunctional local party?

[eyeontheprize]

Absent takeover.

There is no hope to challenge the leadership before the General election, so everything needs to be done outside the Party.

Here is the situation. The Chair of the Party here in a small southern county, loves the attention he is getting from the state and the Presidential candidates. But he is just too "busy" to organize the drudgery of voter registration and GOTV. But he doesn't want anything to happen which he doesn't control, period. The consequence has been that he hordes information and data that would help those of us who are looking forward to November and making a change. He does nothing organizationally,nothing at all.So in reality he is causing harm.

He was an unknown when he took the Chairman's job last year, but seemed charismatic,energetic and competent plus he was the only one running, so he got the job.

There is a powerful undercurrent of people here who want to get to work, not just listen to his views of why Democrats are best at the monthly meetings.

The State loves him because he has taken credit for everything a core of activists has done (web page, organize lists, plan events etc.). The real actors locally are unknown to the State, and our leader certainly isn't going to give them credit. In fact, trying to get things done around the Chairman has truly backfired since it has given some regard.

I can't go through the next year with and not be active. My SO thinks we should go to the State Party, an act which I think could blow everything up, without a benefit. What should we do?

[HereSince1628]

1. Short rope, long drop

is one possibility, but my advice is to ask what's really important.

If within the core of activists someone is wanting recognition that is a different problem than getting things done.

[eyeontheprize]

3. It is hard to rise to what really matters, thanks for the reminder.nt

[PATRICK]

2. The good news

You are more typical than dysfunctional. You are always going to have to deal with getting a a variety of officials to cooperate and yet make them feel they are in charge. The bad news is that despite doing this, the guy on top is really a burden. Still you are stuck with the option of cooperation. Try not to seethe in his presence.

Make him look good. Bring something to the table that is not risky or threatening and make it look like his idea. Get his picture in the paper. Increase social contacts, get him an itch to be Even more a "rising star". Find the people who work with him best. Pushing people out of the way is usually not the best thing, especially if they are popular. No condescension, no rivalry, no push or shove. Get the good out of everyone. Get the job done. He has some pluses it seems. Enable them to the hilt and you do the rest.

If the upper crust thinks this guy is the cat's meow after all that, then they have the same problem, and you have the same job as before to forego fame and glory. My father did this and the guy got promoted up and outward to everyone's advantage. Sometimes truth will out and the real doers will get recognized and credited all the more for their smarts and dedication. But just get the job done. You want credit for defeat because you let it go? These guys are even good at avoiding responsibility for bad results.

[eyeontheprize]

4. All good advice, except the hording of information is a real issue.

You are right that there is also too much ego from our side, we'll work on it.

[pop goes the weasel]

5. Party chair as husband

Your description reminds me of the husbands of church ladies. Ask yourself, what would a church lady do to get around male control without trampling male egos? See, fundies are useful for something. We can learn to be conniving through observation.