Want the Democratic Party to Change?

[MineralMan]

29. I don't know. It depends what you think a "leadership position" is.

I'm a precinct chair and a delegate to the conventions in Minnesota. That's about all I want to be. I could be on some of the committees, if I wanted to, just by saying I'd be glad to do that. I could probably get elected to the state Senate district board of directors, if I wanted to. I've been asked to put my name forward by a couple of current directors.

How did that happen? Well, being a precinct chair is a matter of being willing to do it. Lots of local precincts don't even have one. Being a delegate to the conventions here in Minnesota is simply a matter of showing up at the precinct-level caucus. Our precinct can send 16 delegates to the district convention, but not that many people bother to show up at the caucus, so everyone who does can be a delegate. From there, you have to be elected to be a delegate to the Congressional District convention and the state convention. That's pretty easy, too, if you want to do that. I've been to both conventions.

As for pulling the party to the left, well, we got rid of our state Senator after one term because he voted one time with Republicans on a labor issue. At the 2012 Senate District convention, we caucused for other candidates and refused to endorse him for another term. That cause him to withdraw from the race. Instead, a very progressive Hmong immigrant is now our state Senator. He's a very strong labor supporter and supports progressive causes in every area. I caucused for him at our district convention and helped oust the sitting state Senator.

Do I have anything to do with who is President? Nope. I'm happy to be part of the process for a big range of other candidates, though. They're the ones who actually affect my life and the lives of my neighbors. Not enough to suit you? Well, then I'm not talking to you.