Reply #38: Courts have ruled [View All]

[Zidane]

conventions are a PUBLIC affair that carry out the business of the state/country.

Before it was argued that conventions were private (as you argue now) to keep african americans out. The courts said nope - they carry out the business of the state and are as such a public matter under the laws of the united states.

Delegates are ELECTED by their senate district/state conventions to go to higher conventions. For delegates it is NOT "invite only". They are voted to go by citizens in their state. These delegates are EXPECTED to REPRESENT the candidate they are pledged to and the values of that candidate when they are elected to go. I don't know if this is a Kucinich/Dean delegate, but if so she was doing what she was supposed to do - representing the candidate she was pledged to and sent to the convention to represent.

"who was attempting to use that as a platform for her own personal views "

Congratulations - you've just figured out the point of a convention. Ever wonder why delegates submit resolutions and vote on the platform? Gee, you think that might be the POINT OF BEING A DELEGATE? Gosh, who would have thought that might entail a delegate using the convention to share personal views.

The idea is that ALL views will be heard, and a platform will be generated reflecting whatever the majority of delegates believe. No delegate is supposed to be silenced simply because they have a minority opinion. (and rather or not this is a minority opinion is questionable)