And let's talk about lists. One way that our leaders deprive those they are supposed to serve in this party is the hoarding of lists. How stupid is it that we do not let the members of the State Central Committee know who else is on the State Central Committee? This was brought up at the last Executive Committee meeting and promptly tabled. Tabling such an issue is profoundly cowardly when you consider what is at stake. If this business of being on the State Central Committee is so doggone top secret should we not consider equipping everyone with a mask to wear at the meeting?
Well, yes, that's the bad old GOP, I understand. The DFL has its lists, that's a big part of what the leadership does there at caucus, getting lists. And, well, Elwin Tinklenberg and Maureen Reed are, so far, the only two declared hopefuls for a shot at the Bachmann position in Congress. The hope and expectation is that DFL leadership would be fair in making all its lists available to each, for donor solicitation since in politics money talks. Reed especially is vulnerable that way, since Tinklenberg as last cycle's hopeful has lists from that - the emailings and those who sent checks or used PayPal. Reed, without that headstart should expect at least a recognition of an unlevel playing field from her DFL leadership, and consequent list availability.
Or am I wrong?
Would Maureen Reed be a "security risk" with such a thing because of her past Indepence Party ties? Well, the fact is, Elwyn's got that crony-tie problem at an even greater level, given how Bob Anderson's candidacy was treated by IP insiders wanting chum Tinklenberg favored.
So, does each candidate get such party help at this early stage, or does the party sit back and say, "We wait, we see"?
Any reader with either opinion, or better, with DFL inside thinking to share should leave a comment.
Isn't all that secrecy stuff what is practiced by exclusionary groups such as the Masons, or Skull and Bones? But supposedly not by "big open tent" political parties wanting to tell each of us we should be allies and belong.
Is exclusionary list-keeping appropritely "Minnesota nice" -- for either of the two parties in our unfortunate two-party dilemma to sit on secret lists?
At least there are FEC reports that someone like Maureen Reed can consult to get donor information. It is nice that besides the disclosure function, the "challenger" status is less prejudiced by having those rays of FEC sunshine. The king-makers cannot exclude folks from those online info sources.