Democratic Establishment to Delegate Wannabes: Wait Your Turn, Kids

[Kevin Spidel]

Original link here: http://rumromanismrebellion.blogspot.com/2007/01/democratic-establishment-to-delegate.html

A bit of a scuffle is brewing between the Young Democrats of America and the Democratic National Committee. The YDA is asking the DNC to, gasp, follow their own charter when it comes to having a delegation that looks like the Democrats from the state that selected it.

A bit of background here: back in 1974, when the whole delegate selection process was revamped, the DNC adopted new language in their charter that set goals, but not quotas, for minorities and women. This language was later amended in 1976 to include youth. Chris Gallaway, YDA President, found this language in the charter when he was developing a plan to get more young people to the next convention. He also found out that unlike the other affirmitave action goals, the one regarding youth was never enforced and state parties were not directed to follow it.

So, Gallaway contacted the Democratic National Committee (his letter here) and made his case. The DNC responded that sure, we have that language in the charter (letter here), but it doesn't count because in 1980, we passed a reolution on delegate selection that doesn't include youth. Of course, a resolution doesn't override the charter (and would in few organizations), especially just because of something that wasn't included.

Gallaway rightly points out that the youth vote is critical to the Democratic party (John Kerry would have won overwelmingly if only people under 35 voted). Unsaid is that many Democratic campaigns would be unimaginable without younger activists (especially the 2004 campaign of current DNC Chairman Howard Dean). But, some states continue to elect delegations that don't reflect this reality.

Gallaway and the YDA are calling for a e-mail campaign. You can visit a special web page they have set up with plenty of information on the dispute, contact details for the relevant DNC members, and an online petition.

...

[Divernan]

1. Too many Dem committee men and women here in the Pittsburgh area

are no longer physically competent to hold these positions. Their idea of supporting candidates/the Dem ticket is to allow you to put one sign in their yards. They are in their 60's or often older, and are aghast at the thought anyone would expect them to go door-to-door to canvas or campaign. And of course, with all the steep hills and streets here, they can't physically handle that. But I mean they won't even help out by PHONING people to canvas, or line up spots for signs. And they make a 10 minute appearance at their local polling place when they come to vote. Even with their bad backs and knees, etc., they could be sitting there as poll watchers or greeting their neighbors. The last couple of elections, I was really disgusted with their attitudes. They are even hostile to young Dem activists in their districts because they are afraid these "youngsters" will try to take away their Committee seats. These people have literally blocked two generations of younger Dems from getting involved in the state party structure. Shame on them!

So it's not a question of only 20 something "kids" waiting their turns. The 30, 40 and 50 somethings are also underrepresented.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Committeemen in PA are elected every four years

If the older committeeman are incompetent, it should not be very hard for young go-getters to defeat them when they run for reelection.

[Divernan]

3. Put it this way: the incumbents seriously discourage newbies

When they should be out recruiting new blood. I think the state committees put together the delegate slates for the convention. And getting to go to the conventions with all the parties is a main reason many of these incumbents wanted to be committee people to begin with.