Indianapolis - Marion County democratic party slating convention

[salin]

for the Dem party. I have never lived anywhere else where there is a process to endorse candidates before the primary - and qualify my comments by acknowledging that I am a bit uncomfortable by the process; but there I was. The big activity was around candidates in contested local and state offices (but not gov or congres). In the main meeting hall (where speeches and voting occured - but which was not active for the first couple of hours where the activity was around the candidate areas), was a long table (a couple of tables put together) which had an area for Clinton and an area of Obama - there was no infomormation at the tables (but stickers and buttons), but had clipboards and papers asking for folks who would be interested in volunteering for each campaign.

Here in centrist Marion county - the area for Obama was much more active in terms of people coming up and signing on - I would guess at about a 5:1 ratio per Obama to Clinton.

Most folks I know are uncommitted (as am I, though beginning to lean Obama) in great part to how late our primary is - and not wanting to get in the fray (as in not so pulled toward one candidate) - so I found watching these tables pretty interesting. I have to wonder what it suggests about how Ohio might go (at least urban areas) - given that Ohio - even in its last red decades (it was reliably blue in the eighties and early nineties) compared to us - if the real interest - among folks involved enough to be precinct people voting on the party slate - was towards Obama. It makes me think that the "tipping point" has been reached.

[LiberalFighter]

1. Republicans here in Allen County use to have slatings.

They probably wish they had used it for the Ft Wayne mayor's race. Then they would had possibly been able to slate Peters instead of the felony charged Kelty.

[Voltaire]

2. I'm glad you made it

I had a raging migraine and skipped it, I didn't think dealing with pols was going to help my headache.

[salin]

3. indeed I predict it would have exacerbated any headache.

However, there were some suprises in outcomes - but I have to say that it is a little disturbing how few votes it takes to change an outcome. No wonder I got so many calls once my name was put in and got on to the list per voting delegates.

[Voltaire]

4. Oh I know

The calls and the mails and I even had people knocking on my door. Glad its over. Not sure we have come close to picking the best candidate for congress, but what do I know, I'm just a lowly committeeperson.

[salin]

5. an akward moment - when Auditor Billie Breaux said in a speech,

that she wanted Andre to win with a big enough margin in march to preclude any primary challenge in May. There was some cheering - but a lot of silence as well. I don't know that it will be the coronation that some expect. There is more than a little discontent with the 'inevitability' that Andre has walked first onto the City-County council and now (less than a year later) to the congressional nomination.

[Voltaire]

6. I picked up on that at Shortridge

A lot of folks where I was sitting were a little peturbed that Andre was being forced down their throats and backed by the suits. I voted for Dr. O myself, I think he would make a good representative for the district because he is in touch with all the elements of the district. So we'll see what happens. I suppose I should get myself ready for the State Convention, probably my last, we shall see on that too.

[salin]

7. I like Dr. O as well.

Here is how little I know about being a precinct selectment (?) - does that mean I go to the state convention? If so, we will have to meet up there - and know that we are in like-minded company.

[Voltaire]

8. Let me do some checking

I think that what may need to happen is that you run for delegate status. I've been doing both for so long, you'd think I would remember by now. I'll look on the website, I believe you have to go down to the City County building and file papers. No cost. More likely than not if you apply, you win. Nothing much happens there, since the candidates are already slated. So there is a night of drinking, a day of voice voting and its over. Lots of cool buttons and bumperstickers to buy. Oh, and at the State Convention they vote on who the national delegates will be. Anyone can run for that as well. I will get the details for you.

[salin]

9. Thanks, Voltaire...

all info is good. I have no idea how to run for delegate status. I only was pulled into the county convention because a friend is running for the state house and was looking for folks in different precincts who might be supportive who would be willing to put their names into the mix. Its all new to me. I am a complete "newbie" at this. Thanks again.