The pages of Minnesota newspapers are filled with reports from caucus goers who were disappointed by delays, confusion and alleged control of the events by "insiders," the party faithful. It is the party faithful, often county officers and directors, who plan and conduct, sometimes effectively and sometimes not, the caucuses and conventions which precede elections.
At a recent monthly meeting (always open to the public) of our party's county board, a visitor suggested that the officers and directors constituted a group of "insiders" who ran party affairs with little public input. I suggested to him that "worker" might be a better term than insider.
At the time there was a vacancy on our board, and I asked the visitor if he would be willing to serve. I did point out that during the election season when it came time to staff telephones, knock on doors with literature and lawn signs, and address direct mail, it was usually the insiders who led the efforts.
The visitor declined the offer to serve mentioning "other priorities." There are many who will come to a caucus and especially to conventions with their parties and excitement.
But elections aren't won there. They are won on the telephone and on the streets in all the months before the election. I was pleased to see our caucus turnout reach double the expected 500 to 600. I hope that many of the attendees will sustain their interest and become "insiders" in 2008. It's an easy club to join.
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Rolf Westgard
Associate Chairman
Crow Wing County DFL
Deerwood, Minn.
