4/10/08

Frustrated with the process? Volunteer your time

by Beckye Randall  

The quality of this year’s presidential candidates and the country’s desperate hopes for change have inspired many Americans to become more involved in the political process. In record numbers, Democrats and Republicans across the nation, and in Snohomish County, have opted to participate in primaries and caucuses that were formerly the dominions of only the hard-core party faithful.

Maybe that’s why the process is so unwieldy. Some might even say it’s broken. I heard many folks who attended the 38th Legislative District Democratic Caucus on April 5 use even harsher language.

The purpose of the LD caucus was to select party delegates, pledged to one of the two candidates, to go on to the next tier: the Congressional District caucus on May 17 and the state convention in June. Of the delegates serving in that capacity, a few lucky ones will be selected to attend the national convention in Denver.

Because we didn’t want our candidate to lose any delegates, my son and I both attended the LD caucus. He was an elected delegate, I was an alternate. Neither of us intended to go any further in the process but we wanted to help ensure that the percentage of delegates allotted to each candidate in the original caucus didn’t change. Attendance of qualified delegates at each level calls for a recalculation of those percentages, which could change the outcome of the February caucus.

We were fully prepared to give up our day for the chance to participate in the democratic process, as were the 500-plus others in attendance. But the business of “credentialing” the delegates and seating alternates, which should have taken maybe an hour, dragged on for more than four hours as the crowd grew increasingly restless, agitated and downright angry.

The problem seemed to be that many of us were not asked to sign in when we arrived. Instead of asking for a signature, the volunteers manning the registration tables put a checkmark beside a name, or highlighted it. Instead of simply asking those who hadn’t provided a signature to do so, there was a process of challenges that had to be followed.

At least that’s what I’m guessing. There was no official account of what was going on or why.

The auditorium was buzzing with speculation and gossip, some of it accusing the “other side” of trying to sabotage and discredit delegates but, with the notable exceptions of Reps. Mike Sells and John McCoy, no one took the stage to provide answers or explanations.

Maybe the leaders could have scheduled some entertainment or speakers to fill at least a few minutes of those five hours. With a competent moderator, it would have been a great opportunity to talk about the local, regional and national issues facing us. With a captive audience of potential volunteers, the party could have used that time to recruit, fundraise and form a coalition of inclusion. Instead, many left the auditorium feeling disenchanted and discouraged.

After fuming for awhile, I finally came to the conclusion that it’s easy to complain, but finger-pointing never solved anything. So instead of being bitter about the disorganization of a volunteer-operated event, I’m going to volunteer for the next one. Maybe I can make a difference, maybe not. At least I’ll be doing something constructive.

The Snohomish County Democratic Party convention, April 13 at Everett’s Comcast Arena, is expected to draw record attendance once again. I have a feeling that many of those who attended the two previous caucus events will not show up, but perhaps others will take their place. Governor Chris Gregoire will speak, which may be a draw.

I hope the 6,000 seats in the arena are filled with energetic folks who are inspired to do more for their candidate and their country. I also hope they don’t leave there dispirited and frustrated.