Why the Sanders wave of support is so Skeery, what it might mean and what more you can do
Many voters do not really understand how Party organizations work, so let me explain and I think you will get some insight into what is really at stake during Presidential year elections. (This is based on my experience and may differ slightly State to State)
Parties exist to get people elected. That is the mission. It's the same for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party and all other Parties. Understanding how the Democratic Party works in most places will help explain why you get Primary races.
So first, the organization. National>State>County>Local>Precinct Captains (Legislative Districts or LDs). At the National and State Levels it is about MONEY and getting people elected to National and State offices. Money plays a big role at the County level as well and to a much lesser extent at the LD level, with some LDs having a great deal of money and some virtually nothing.
This may vary by State, but as elections end, LDs get reorganized and depending upon how many elected precinct captains there are, that determines how many folks are sent to the State Committee meetings where policy can be determined. In AZ, unless requirements have changed to be elected a PC, you must be put on the ballot and receive only 10 votes to become elected. In the month following the election, Chairs, Vice Chairs, Treasurers and delegate members to the State Committee are elected. The larger the LD, the greater the influence. The more money and votes raised, the greater the influence.
State Party organizations leaders and party policies may be elected by delegate members to the State Committee. In 2003, the State Party here had official party policy meetings where delegates could influence and/or speak their minds on Democratic policy. Once these policies are adopted, the National Party may adopt a viewpoint/policy generated at the State level into the National Party platform which gets decided at the National Convention.
Party Platforms typically are generated from the ground up, although there is a great deal of control at the National level based upon the strength of leadership. This leads to broader goals and it also serves to explain why you might have large numbers of people running for a national office when going in, even when they may not be favored to win. It is really about policy influence.
Fast forward to national political candidates and groundswells of support based on a differing ideology from the norm. This is very threatening. It means that change is coming, changes in policy and perhaps even broad changes in leadership. And it all starts from the ACTIVE base.
So..as a Sanders supporter what should you do?
1) Obviously, all of the volunteer and contribution activites that you can on behalf of the campaign.
2) Be a voter advocate and persuade. It goes without saying that everybody here is an opinion leader just by sheer definition of being engaged so early in the process.
3) Find out where your Legislative District meets and go to a meeting. Ask what YOU need to do to get on the ballot as a PC. It isn't hard and its kinda cool to see your name on the ballot.
4) Get engaged at the meetings. Support each other as DEMOCRATS. (You can't act like many do on internet forums, its person to person and common goals and civility goes a long way!)
5) Contribute a little when the hat gets passed.
6) Understand what you need to do as a PC (That is about getting out the Democratic vote in your precinct in the general election)
7) Once the election ends, raise your hand to become Chair, Vice Chair or Treasurer (here those positions mean an automatic seat at the State Committee table)
8) Work to grow the LD, the more members the more go to the State Committee, and IF they are Sanders supporters the Sanders philosophy will be communicated at the State Party level too!
9) Once you are elected to the State Committee, make sure you GO! Stand up and be heard.
10) Find yourself being recruited to run for office in the next cycle because of your work, commitment and generous community nature. (You can always say no thank you)
= new reply since forum marked as read
and it was a surprisingly casual appointment ("do you have time to help me?" "uh, ok"
The main concern was the caucus - we were expecting to be overwhelmed with people who had never caucused before because Obama's campaign was getting the word out. I will say it is an amazing experience and I would encourage everyone to try it once if you can. The most touching part for me was a few of the very elderly African American voters who made it in via walkers etc. so proud to sign for Obama.
Good to be here 