Has anyone ever been a delegate to a state convention??

[huskerlaw]

I have the opportunity to be a proxy delegate to the CA Democratic Convention this weekend and I have no idea what to expect.

So have any of you been a delegate? What do you do? Any info greatly appreciated!

[skygazer]

1. Not me

But I just wanted to say cool! You should do it and don't forget to tell us all about it. :hi:

[huskerlaw]

2. Thanks!

I'm definitely doing it. Far too good an opportunity to pass up, even though I'm completely clueless!

I'll be sure to report back. It's going to be quite the learning experience!

:hi:

[huskerlaw]

3. Shameless kick

Anyone???

:kick:

[NoPasaran]

4. I've been a delegate to a couple of Texas state conventions

It's a lot like a state fair, but nobody gets a prize for growing a fifty-pound cantaloupe.

Go, you'll enjoy it!

[huskerlaw]

8. Hahaha

Damn, so I wasted time growing my cantaloupe? ;)

I was kinda imagining a state fair, but with a lot of liberals and more speechifying. And no tractor pulls. At least not in California.

[KitchenWitch]

5. Furthest I ever made it was the County convention

Hennepin County - Minnesota.

[huskerlaw]

9. Well, that's further than I've been so far!!

I'm seriously getting tossed into the deep end of the pool with no floaties. :scared:

[dembotoz]

6. in wisconsin, a number of times

i hope the experience transfers....
what you will see

lots of speeches from politicos of all shapes and sizes. Some famous,some not.
Lots of people dressed--well strangely.
lots of folks waving signs and cheering
lots of heated discussion about things you cannot imagine people caring about.
bathrooms too crowded and too far away, munchies too expensive and too far away.
booths and tables trying to sell you anything and everything. Some buttons will be clever.
If you watch closely, you will see some groups of dems being treated better than other dems.
The purpose is to be a pep rally

what you will not see.

anything of any real importance. Most decisions are made outside of the convention.

If I were you, would i go--probably yes. It IS an experience.

[huskerlaw]

10. Ok, so basically

a mini-version of the national convention? At least it sounds like it, based on what I've seen of the national convention on CSPAN...

[littlebit]

7. I was in NC back in 04

It was a lot of boring stuff followed by more boring stuff. I had a lot of fun though.

[huskerlaw]

11. Some of it does sound a bit boring

but I figure I'll spend most of my time figuring out what's going on, so I won't be tooooo bored!

[lost-in-nj]

12. Please don't hate me

my
MIL was a delegate
for

waiting

















waiting














for Pat Robertson




ugh



lost

[huskerlaw]

14. Oh my!!

I don't hate you though. My mom is *still* a Bushite. Though she's far less avid than she used to be.

What can ya do? Ya can't exactly pick your family!

;)

[NMDemDist2]

13. bring a book and a bottle

of water

I just got back from mine, lots of yada yada, speeches that have nothing to do with your district, votes and points of order and usually one or two asses that won't STFU so we could get on with it!!

:rofl:

[huskerlaw]

15. I've been warned about the asses!

Apparently last year, some asshat called a quorum about 10 minutes before they were supposed to end on the last day of the convention. Of course, so many people had left by then that they didn't have the required majority. But that didn't stop him from keeping people WAY late. Moran.

The difficult thing is that I really don't know anything about the politics in my district. I've only lived in CA for 2 years (in this district for 1) and my CA political experience is comprised only of campaigning for Edwards.

So I'm pretty well walking into this blind. Should be interesting at least!

[Kixel]

16. I was in MN last cycle

It was a very interesting process. Though some of it did get a bit dry, it really helped me understand how the process works. Of course, I was totally green-I had attended my first Caucus and made it all the way through to the state level. We had a lot more endorsements for our state last time. Apparently this time will focus mostly on electing delegates to the national level.

As a result of my initial involvement, I have become very active on the local level. The networking I did at the state convention has been very helpful. Also-its a lot of fun to have a few cocktails and dance with the old guard of the party (I was only 28 and my favorite partner was 75 if he was a day).

You'll learn something, probably make a few new friends, and you will be a part of something that you will never be able to explain to anyone who hasn't gone through it. Mostly because it doesn't make any sense unless you have gone through it-if all states are a like. I've tried. I'm considering charts or other visual aids for a friend who still doesn't get it...

[huskerlaw]

17. I'm also completely green

I've only lived in the state for 2 years and my only political experience here is working on the Edwards campaign, which really isn't that helpful, since I have no state-level experience.

I think I'm going to hit up the Young Dems caucus (I'm 29) so that I can at least meet some people my age. Though I am looking forward to meeting the old guard as well. They've got the better stories, after all! ;)

It will certainly be a learning experience. My goal is to sit back and learn, and basically to not make an ass of myself. :D

[Kixel]

18. You'll do fine!

It's hard to make an ass out of yourself in a roomful of Dems! Besides-they love newbies. It's funny, after two years, I have become an old timer...

The Young Dems are good-but I only ran into a few other people in my age group. Most of them are younger or older. Its a weird combo. Excited college kids and dedicated older people. Maybe its different in Cali?

I don't think political experience is really necessary at that level, unless you want to be a national delegate. That requires connections and political savvy. Be prepared to be wooed by those who want you to be on their team in voting. It's kind of funny.