Anyone heard about some of the campaigns having problems

[dflprincess]

getting caucus lists?

I'm going to be a little cryptic as I don't want to give away who I'm talking about. Suffice it to say that I heard from a reliable source that the Bell, Rowley and Kelley campaigns have met with some resistance when contacting Senate District chairs to get the delegate lists for the conventions. In the case I'm most familiar with, I know the the chair isn't supporting any of these candidates. And I heard about one chair who denied they are the district chair and referred the campaign to a person who was chair of the district two years ago.

I'm assuming these are isolated incidents, but I thought I'd check and see if anyone else has gotton wind of this sort of thing going on.

[katinmn]

1. Wow. If anyone working on these campaigns needs help getting

lists, let DUers know! I would be happy to call district chairs and ask WTF?

[MNGremlin]

2. I know Rowley's campaign has the SD 40 list

since they called me last night.

[dflprincess]

3. Are you in SD40?

Will I see you on Saturday? And, how will I know you?

I had a call from Klobuchar's campaign last night about the convention. Both the person I was speaking to and I were very polite to each other until she asked me if I was supporting Amy. I said no, Ford Bell (politely) and she hung up on me without another word.

[MNGremlin]

4. Yup. I'll be at SD 40 convention

I'll be the forty something guy with a graying goatee (although, judging by the precinct caucus, that won't narrow it down too much :)).

My first name is Jim. Do we get name tags?

[dflprincess]

5. We should get name tags

my first name is Nancy - I'm on the Bloomington side of the district.

Welcome to DU!

[MNGremlin]

10. I didn't get a chance to introduce myself

but I assume you were the Nancy that had a photo taken with Ford Bell, by Charlie, at the SD 40 convention.

Congrats on the Director and Central Committee assignments.

We aren't in the same CD, but I'll have another chance to introduce myself at the state convention.

[dflprincess]

11. That would be me

I'm not going to the State Convention, I have a conflict that weekend. I'm sure I'll see you at some other district or DU event.

[mnSky]

6. Lists and rumors

If a campaign is getting the run a round...or feels they are, I would encourage them to contact the acting DFL public affairs director Rick Stafford ([e-mail]) for assistance. All info should be shared with all campaigns. It's about a democratic value called fairness.

I also understand that there's some rumors going around about staff walking out on Rowley or Kelley or (fill in the campaign you want to smear) that also isn't true. These things get floated right before conventions to try and peal off supporters from one campaign to another. But it's not right. Here's the thing, we need to learn to elect our candidates without stepping on other democrats. Best way to do that is stick to the issues of your candidate. Why you support them. Stand up and tell the truth. In other words be Democratic. We owe respect to anyone who was willing to put their life on hold, use their time and resources to run for office as a democrat, and promote our values. If we don't support them...fine, but I'm tired of the hate and dirty tricks...leave it to the rethugs.

[dflprincess]

7. I have no doubt that what I heard is true

for two reasons. 1) I know the district chair that refused to give the Bell campaign the lists and I know this person has pulled similar, if not so blantant, stunts in the past when it comes to a candidate s/he does not support. 2) I called this person today to ask about this and s/he told me that, as s/he does not plan to run for chair of his/her district again, s/he felt s/he did not have to do anything to help a candidate s/he was not supporting.

[csorman]

8. That really bugs me

because this party has ALWAYS purported to be about fairness and equal support to all DFL candidates before an endorsement. When you have a CHAIR of a CU or SD they should give equal access of the lists to EVERYONE (if the rules allow), regardless of whether they are running for chair again or not. Even if I were chair of my SD and supported a specific candidate wholeheartedly, I would allow completely equal access of all records and information to all candidates for that seat because that would be my JOB as an elected DFL representative. It sickens me that some folks out there will completely cover up the fact that other candidates exist so as to promote their own preference - that is NOT why they were elected in the positions they represent (this is the case in my senate district, where our chair screamed in the face of a specific candidate that s/he was being "divisive" and should drop out of the race).

This only firms my resolve that we need to support candidates who have principle and backbone and the courage to stand by their convictions.

[dflprincess]

9. Until there is an endorsed candidate,

it is a rule that all candidates have equal access to the caucus lists. Only after there is an endorsement can candidates challenging the endorsed candidate in the primary be refused any help from the party.