--- Crossposted from http://bluegrassroots.org/ ---
This was my first time. I confess. Until today, I was a precinct convention virgin.
Today, in every precinct in the state of KY, Democrats had the opportunity to gather at their polling places and elect new precinct officers. Those officers then elect either LD chairs or county chairs next Saturday.
While I'm sure that not every precinct in KY had a hopping convention, mine was a good one - at least I think it was. As a first-timer I had no basis for comparison. But I met an "experienced older woman" who did...
I didn't do an official count, but it looked like nearly 18 Democrats (and a few kids - mine included) showed up for the event.
Jennifer Hicks - the "experienced woman" mentioned above - is an experienced politico and acquaintance of mine who lives in the same precinct. She admitted to being impressed with the turnout.
"At all of these I have been to there are usually just 2-3 people," she said, shaking her head. Jennifer is a cool customer, having helped run some local races, worked with unions, etc., so when she was impressed, I knew that I should be as well. So Jen says it was fairly earthshaking for a precinct convention. Usually it is 2 people in a car, nominating and electing people who aren't even present.
In this particular precinct, M142 in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville, KY, folks seem to be engaged. It didn't hurt that we had one of only two contested LD seats. A fight always draws a crowd. Challenger Reggie Meeks must have done a good job of organizing, because his supporters captured all three precinct officer spots. Next week they will go on to support Meeks at the LD convention.
I was aiming to get elected as precinct youth, perhaps a lofty goal for my first time out. I had been told that often only one or two people show up for these things and you can usually vote yourself in. Piece of cake. But, being a nervous first-timer, I brought my wife Kelly and my downstairs neighbors Bill and Sylvia for backup. Just in case I needed the votes.
I didn't bring enough backup! :-)
There was a sharp college-bound kid named Abby who wanted the spot, and she had a room full of allies ready to support her. I knew Abby from previous work with MoveOn.org and Andrew Horne's 2006 primary. We cut a deal. She takes the spot until August, when she goes away to college, then asks the county chair to appoint me in her place. In the meantime, we work as a team while she holds the title. Good enough. I backed out of the election and nominated Abby. The precinct man and woman were uncontested.
Besides "losing my innocence," I did serve one valuable purpose at the precinct convention. KDP had trained me on the process, and I brought pamphlets and gave a little speech to the assembled folks to bring them up to speed on the details moving forward. So I was a well-informed virgin. Here is a link to the pamphlet in case anyone is interested.
http://files.meetup.com/...
How was your convention?