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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!!
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To: Dayuhan who wrote (56332)9/28/1999 11:59:00 AM
From: nihil  Read Replies (1) of 108807
 
I don't think you have the vaguest idea of how US political parties are run. Both of them are controlled by the grassroots. For example, here in Hawaii, we start with precinct meetings where any one who wishes can participate as long as he lives in the precinct. We discuss and select delegates to the state convention. In presidential years we choose delegates pledged to a candidate, and the state convention chooses its candidate. We don't have a primary here. Many other states have open primaries. I don't believe that party professionals have any special influence over these affairs, unless popular interest is so faint that noone bothers to participate.
The state conventions elect a party head and committee and also 2 members of the national committee. Some state parties are controlled by party pros, but hardly all. Nothing actually prevents party members from participating in controlling the party. There are numerous hardly mentioned examples of insurgents capturing the party mechanisms for a year or so. The fact is in most instances no one really cares who controls the state mechanisms accept leading candidates and party professionals. Few state parties have enough money to hire many professional staff, and most states have few jobs for which party hacks are eligible because of civil service regulations.
The national parties are controlled by the national committees who elect the heads of the party (often on the recommendation of president or failed candidate.
These national parties have virtually no influence on Congressional parties. They rarely can provide any funds. The Congressional parties are caucuses of each house. They help each other raise funds. The national and state parties have almost no influence on congressional party policies or candidates. Often a senator will have influence on his or her state party, but no power.
I disagree with you proposal altogether. The parties consist of elected people. If one wishes influence in parties he should get his friends and supporters together and take part in party governance. There is no one to invite. Grass roots activity -- exactly as much as people want, is taking place. Most party decisions are taken in public. Secrecy is not a problem.
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