The best club you're not in is one you're definitely invited to join.

[MineralMan]

The Democratic Party organization where you live would love to have you join them as a member. You have ideas that we need to consider. You have opinions we need to hear. So, why not Google "Democratic Party YourLocation" and see what shows up? Come on by at the next opportunity. There's an election next year that you may have heard of. There's lots and lots to do to help our local candidates and even the President get elected next November. Primaries are coming up and we need to work to get voters out to the polling places. Help your favorite presidential candidate muster the votes needed.

We also have several leadership positions that will need filling soon. A lot of our long-term leaders are hoping that they can retire from the hard work, but are waiting for new members who want to take on those responsibilities. Come to a meeting. We'll introduce you to people and help you find ways you can build your own leadership capabilities.

Give us a try, OK? You'll find a schedule of meetings and other events on our website, both nationally and locally. Help us and we'll help you, too. Join us and help us work for progress!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's looking more and more like the party doesn't want progressives.

The DNC, headed by Wasserman-Schultz, is evidently doing its best to freeze out O'Malley and Sanders. Local organizations may not be quite so completely controlled by the DNC establishment, but as far as I can tell the DFL is almost as bad. Losing Wellstone was the worst thing that ever happened to it; I just hope Keith Ellison sticks to his guns.

[MineralMan]

2. Everyone in a leadership position in the local organization

got there by being elected at one convention or another. All a person has to do to have a vote is show up at the precinct caucuses on March 1 and put your name on the delegate list. Then, you'll be able to vote for whoever you want as senate district leaders. YOu can even run yourself. Nominations are open for every office. Bring friends with you to the caucuses and all of you go to the next level.

It's not rocket science. It's low-level democracy at work. The Democratic Party is a ground-up process. All the way from precincts to the national party. If you want to be part of it, you can. If you really want to work, you can, at whatever level you're capable of handling.

If you don't participate, however, you can't do any of that. If you write it off, others will decide. Ask Keith Ellison next time you see him. See what he thinks about getting involved with the DFL at a the basic level. I think he'll be happy to explain the benefits.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I've been to many caucuses and I have also attended district conventions.

It was always my impression that the game was rigged before we even got there.

[MineralMan]

4. Hmm...not me. I've spoken up, made friends,

encouraged people to run for leadership positions and even led a successful campaign against endorsing a weak state senator. We got a progressive into that office.

The system is not rigged. It's there to be used as you see fit. That does not mean that every idea will be accepted, of course, but you do have a place to raise it. If you are there, you do. If you raise it, you do.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. Used to be in Mn 6.

Can relate to your comment,and look what happened,we lost it do to our members getting wrapped up in Party Seniority crap. The better Candidate lost out in the Balloting to a weak sister Central Committee hanger oner. And so it goes.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Yup. Pure democracy it is not.

The rules and procedures seem fair on their face, but the Central Committee people decide how to apply them.

[MineralMan]

7. Stuff happens, for sure. You certainly don't win every time.

Beats the alternative of not trying, though.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Hey,man.

I and our Oldest Son are very active in the Democratic Party. I in Nevada,oldest son is now stuck with dealing with Fed rules(Hatch Act)which prohibits him from running Campaigns which he used to do. Don't get me wrong,love the Party Caucus System and County and State Convention Systems,look forward to it every Election Cycle. Wished every neighborhood would organize no matter which side of the aisle one sits on. Once you lose that organization it is a bitch to get things rolling again. In Nevada our Party is so fractured and Mr. Reid and his Son did not do us a favor 2 years ago. Our Party is only going to make it self known through the Hispanic/SEIU/Union members. Pretty bad when calls for info at Party Headquarters never get returned.

[wyldwolf]

15. I'm a little more blunt than Mineralman

Every election cycle 'progressives' that have never been involved in 'real life' before show up at precinct and county meetings believing what they're read on the internet: It's going to be SOO easy to take over! Then they slam into a brick wall. It might help to lose the 'more progressive than thou' attitude.

(not directed at you personally)

[Gothmog]

9. I am very active with the county and state party

It is fun doing things in the real world. It takes hard work to turn out voters. If you want to get a feel for your community, try block walking for a candidate. It is a way to get a good feel for retail politics

[MineralMan]

10. Thanks for your hard work, Gothmog!

You get it!

[Gothmog]

11. It is better to do something in real life

I first got involved after 2000 when the GOP out lawyered and out played Gore in the recount. Since then, a ton of democratic lawyers have been trying to make sure that this never happens again.

[wyldwolf]

12. they're great at weeding out...

... the "FUCK HILLARY corporate whore #@^@%#! and no one is a real Democrat but ME" crowd. It's always interesting to watch the influx of people during election cycles, only to see them bolt when their candidate doesn't make the cut.

[MineralMan]

13. Well, a big chip on your shoulder makes an

attractive target. It's interesting to get to know the "old guard" who are mostly old 60s hippies now. They used to wear those chips, themselves. We've all had them knocked off. Some of us learned the ropes and how to participate effectively. I learned Robert's Rules of Order by heart. That was my point of entry.

[wyldwolf]

14. 2004 and 2008 were particularly interesting

Newcomers actually stood up and chastised people for supporter Clark and Kerry in 2004.

One liberal I knew in 2008 seemed totally flabbergasted there were actually many Hillary supporters at a county meeting. I think about that incident every time someone on DU states 'no one I know supports Hillary.'