Caucus Thoughts

I attended the DFL caucus last night as a caucus convener who became the precinct chair. There were considerably fewer folks this time than two years ago, but more than in previous off-election years. Caucuses are a unique political event. Delegates to the state Senate District convention are elected, and these delegates are important for hopeful candidates. But the most unique aspect of the DFL caucuses (I can't speak to what happens at other party caucuses) is the resolution process where resolutions are proposed, debated, and voted on, to be passed on in their journey towards the state platform. It is in the resolution process that you get a sense of who is in the room and what people are angry or engaged about. My precinct group was surprisingly liberal and united around resolutions to have single-payer healthcare, higher taxes for transportation, getting out of Iraq, and more. It was an enjoyable evening.

There were some shenanigans in my Senate District by the old guard to give CD2 congressional candidate Sharon Marko an opportunity to speak to the whole body. It is highly unusual to gather everyone together for a pep rally, and it was planned for Marko's benefit. She must have been twice surprised to see so many Coleen Rowley supporters and then Coleen herself there to speak. There are a couple of people in the SD that have to go.