"Democrats have a 'large amount of money spent on infrastructure, and that's where I think Republicans are really losing,' (Buck) said."
Seems to me this is the most telling sentence in the Denver Post article. Yes, Colorado Democrats have put more energy into the grassroots, the neighborhood caucus-assembly system.
What happens in 2012 largely depends on what all the newly active do to stay active. The political party that does the best job of reaching out and involving them in precienct, district, and county leadership positions will have a tremendous advantage.
If you are new to Colorado or just new to Colorado politics, for more about how our Colorado system works, see http://www.COCaucus.org.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
President Dwight Eisenhower told us that in our system of government, politics needs to be the part time occupation of every citizen.
Now is the time to get involved, if you are not already, or to channel your involvement in a more meaningful direction that will make a real difference in 2012.
With that in mind, I just sent out this letter to the editor to local Colorado newspapers:
Congratulations to the winning candidates and their supporters.
If you are unhappy with the results of the election, the time to
bring about real change starts now in anticipation of our
2012 Colorado Caucuses in neighborhoods across the state,
the best chance for the common person to make their voice heard.
To get involved in a meaningful way, Google Republicans or
Democrats and your ZIP code, then make a telephone call
and volunteer to help in your neighborhood.
If you are new to Colorado or just new to Colorado politics, and you
want to know how our powerful Colorado caucus-assembly system
for nominating to the primary ballot works, and to keep up with news
about possible changes to the system, go to http://www.COCaucus.org.
John Wren
960 Grant St. #727
Denver, CO 80203
(303)861-1447
Now is the time to get involved, if you are not already, or to channel your involvement in a more meaningful direction that will make a real difference in 2012.
With that in mind, I just sent out this letter to the editor to local Colorado newspapers:
Congratulations to the winning candidates and their supporters.
If you are unhappy with the results of the election, the time to
bring about real change starts now in anticipation of our
2012 Colorado Caucuses in neighborhoods across the state,
the best chance for the common person to make their voice heard.
To get involved in a meaningful way, Google Republicans or
Democrats and your ZIP code, then make a telephone call
and volunteer to help in your neighborhood.
If you are new to Colorado or just new to Colorado politics, and you
want to know how our powerful Colorado caucus-assembly system
for nominating to the primary ballot works, and to keep up with news
about possible changes to the system, go to http://www.COCaucus.org.
John Wren
960 Grant St. #727
Denver, CO 80203
(303)861-1447
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Last night I drove by the Denver county headquarters for the Dems and the GOP and also the state headquarters for the Dems. Nothing going on at any of them. Check the state and Denver county websites for both parties, as far as I can see there were no party-wide activities.
It's becoming all candidates, no political party.
This is good for the rich and powerful, but not good for the common person who would like to serve in elected public office, in my opinion.
There is an opportunity for good party leadership at the state and county level to correct this problem for the 2012 election cycle. My prediction is that the party that does will dominate. What do you think?
It's becoming all candidates, no political party.
This is good for the rich and powerful, but not good for the common person who would like to serve in elected public office, in my opinion.
There is an opportunity for good party leadership at the state and county level to correct this problem for the 2012 election cycle. My prediction is that the party that does will dominate. What do you think?
Monday, May 24, 2010
How do you like it so far?
If you went to your neighborhood caucus last March 16, especially if you went for the first time, I'd like to know what you've thought about the Colorado Caucuses 2010 so far, especially the county and then the state conventions that happened Saturday if you went.
What suggests do you have for improving the process? What tips would you give newcomers to the 2012 caucuses? Post you comment here, on Colorado Caucuses News Facebook page (click here) or email them to me at John@JohnWren.com. If you have questions about any of this feel free to call me at (303)861-1447.
I'll keep what you say private and confidential if you send me an email, I won't say "Nancy sent me this" or "Julie said that." But I'll incorporate every idea in what I'm preparing to boost attendance next time.
Together we can improve informed participation in the 2012 Colorado Caucuses!
What suggests do you have for improving the process? What tips would you give newcomers to the 2012 caucuses? Post you comment here, on Colorado Caucuses News Facebook page (click here) or email them to me at John@JohnWren.com. If you have questions about any of this feel free to call me at (303)861-1447.
I'll keep what you say private and confidential if you send me an email, I won't say "Nancy sent me this" or "Julie said that." But I'll incorporate every idea in what I'm preparing to boost attendance next time.
Together we can improve informed participation in the 2012 Colorado Caucuses!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Week #4-- From John Wren. (Please post your thoughts as a comment below.)
This is the 4th "week" (start any time, read straight through them if you want) of this series of online readings and discussion about how our political system works.
The most imporant thing to do is just show up. Find out where your neighborhood precinct caucus will be held March 16 and be there at 7 p.m. when it starts.
Don't let these 4 "weeks" be a barrier to your participation. There are no tests! Learn what you want, and then just show up!
For this "week"
Read Action Course in Practical Politics Booklet #7 Political Meetings and #8 Businessmen in Politics. (click here)
If you just read 1 of the 8 booklets, #7 is the one to read. It talks about what makes a good political meeting, and why it's important each group, from precinct to state party, follow rules of order that give each person participating a voice.
Read what my friend Sue O'Brien wrote in this editorial in 2002 when our wonderful Colorado Caucus, our neighborhood system for nominating candidates to the primary ballot was in danger of being eliminated by Amendment 29. Partly because of Sue's and The Denver Post's strong support of the Colorado Caucus, the misguided Amendment 29 was defeated.
Sue's wonderful column is still very much worth reading as a reminder of why the caucus-assembly system is worth preserving, and why you should participate March 16. Here's what Sue wrote in the Denver Post:
Caucuses aren't for ciphers
October 6, 2002
by Sue O'Brien
cipher - a person or thing of no importance or value; nonentity
- New World College Dictionary
So, what will we choose to be: ciphers or individuals?
Ciphers are faceless. They have value only as something to count - a signature on a petition or a vote to tally by machine. It's easy for ciphers to hide out. Hey, they're just part of the mob.
Individuals, by contrast, stand out. They take responsibility. And they rarely hide.
We have a sovereign opportunity to become ciphers this November. One of the few mechanisms left in modern politics that rewards individual initiative - the precinct caucus - is on the brink of being eliminated in favor of a political nominating system that would let wannabe candidates get on the ballot only by collecting - and counting - petition signatures.
It's a lousy proposal put forth by an otherwise admirable organization: the Bighorn Center for Public Policy.
Now, I have nothing against getting on the ballot by petition. But why eliminate the choice - caucus or petition - that our present system provides?
It's not as though there's something inherently wrong with the caucus. And, even though these grassroots conclaves have seen declining attendance in recent years, there's a lot inherently good about them.
Look around modern society. We have a woeful lack of what Harvard scholar Robert Putnam calls "social capital" - the dynamism that comes from doing things together and making community decisions together. Yet the spate of election "reforms" we're seeing these days almost seems designed to stomp out the last vestiges of community collaboration.
"Voting and following politics are relatively undemanding forms of participation," writes Putnam in his influential "Bowling Alone." "In fact, they are not, strictly speaking, forms of social capital at all, because they can be done utterly alone."
We can be utterly alone, too, when we perform the two other actions modern politics seems to want to limit us to: writing checks and watching attack ads on TV. We're systematically replacing "social capital" with plain old monetary capital.
Colorado's traditional caucus-convention system, in contrast, rewards the shoe-leather and diligence. It provides a low-cost way for aspirants to work the neighborhoods, investing energy instead of dollars. Recent proof of this pudding came in the race for the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District, where Rick O'Donnell captured first line on the primary ballot with a low-budget campaign that focused on traditional caucus and door-to-door campaigning. O'Donnell eventually lost the primary to the better-funded Bob Beauprez, but his achievement in getting on the ballot was impressive.
But even more important than the caucus' benefits for candidates is its benefit for ordinary citizens. It's a vibrant neighborhood forum for hashing out ideas - the last remaining arena in which you can get on the first rung of the ladder toward political effectiveness by just showing up.
I've covered precinct or town caucuses in Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and Mississippi as well as Colorado. My favorite memory is of escorting a big-deal network analyst to his very first caucus in an American Legion hall in Iowa. This was a political expert well into his 50s, yet he'd never seen a caucus; primaries had always been his beat. He was blown away. For the first time in years of covering politics, he told me, he'd seen the true face of America.
He was right. Caucuses offer a peculiarly intimate view of a community and its people. They'll amaze you with the quality of caring and thought participants bring to the discussion. And sometimes, if you're very lucky, you'll see new, young leaders find their first toehold in the process.
Why is the Colorado caucus withering? First, because the legislature, in an ineffectual grab for national headlines, created a meaningless presidential primary that eliminated the headline race that once inspired much caucus activism.
Second, because we're all getting good at sitting on the sidelines. The Kettering Foundation's David Mathews once reminded readers that the word idiot comes from the Greeks. Privacy, they thought, was akin to stupidity. "Idiots" were incapable of finding their place in the social order.
Why bow to the trend of letting the next guy do it? Why sell out to letting money replace shoe-leather at every level of American politics?
Why not keep the caucus as an open door to involvement, while continuing to provide the petition alternative? Bighorn's goal may be to increase the number of people peripherally involved in the process - but the initiative will never replace the quality of participation the caucus can provide.
Good political talk … is where we recognize the connectedness of things - and our own connectedness. … Good political talk is also where we discover what is common amidst our differences. -David Mathews, "Civic Intelligence"
Sue O'Brien was editor of the Denver Post editorial page.
Now ask any question you might have about any of what you've read here. Or make comments about what you've learned. Circle your calendar for March 16 for your neighborhood caucus!
The most imporant thing to do is just show up. Find out where your neighborhood precinct caucus will be held March 16 and be there at 7 p.m. when it starts.
Don't let these 4 "weeks" be a barrier to your participation. There are no tests! Learn what you want, and then just show up!
For this "week"
Read Action Course in Practical Politics Booklet #7 Political Meetings and #8 Businessmen in Politics. (click here)
If you just read 1 of the 8 booklets, #7 is the one to read. It talks about what makes a good political meeting, and why it's important each group, from precinct to state party, follow rules of order that give each person participating a voice.
Read what my friend Sue O'Brien wrote in this editorial in 2002 when our wonderful Colorado Caucus, our neighborhood system for nominating candidates to the primary ballot was in danger of being eliminated by Amendment 29. Partly because of Sue's and The Denver Post's strong support of the Colorado Caucus, the misguided Amendment 29 was defeated.
Sue's wonderful column is still very much worth reading as a reminder of why the caucus-assembly system is worth preserving, and why you should participate March 16. Here's what Sue wrote in the Denver Post:
Caucuses aren't for ciphers
October 6, 2002
by Sue O'Brien
cipher - a person or thing of no importance or value; nonentity
- New World College Dictionary
So, what will we choose to be: ciphers or individuals?
Ciphers are faceless. They have value only as something to count - a signature on a petition or a vote to tally by machine. It's easy for ciphers to hide out. Hey, they're just part of the mob.
Individuals, by contrast, stand out. They take responsibility. And they rarely hide.
We have a sovereign opportunity to become ciphers this November. One of the few mechanisms left in modern politics that rewards individual initiative - the precinct caucus - is on the brink of being eliminated in favor of a political nominating system that would let wannabe candidates get on the ballot only by collecting - and counting - petition signatures.
It's a lousy proposal put forth by an otherwise admirable organization: the Bighorn Center for Public Policy.
Now, I have nothing against getting on the ballot by petition. But why eliminate the choice - caucus or petition - that our present system provides?
It's not as though there's something inherently wrong with the caucus. And, even though these grassroots conclaves have seen declining attendance in recent years, there's a lot inherently good about them.
Look around modern society. We have a woeful lack of what Harvard scholar Robert Putnam calls "social capital" - the dynamism that comes from doing things together and making community decisions together. Yet the spate of election "reforms" we're seeing these days almost seems designed to stomp out the last vestiges of community collaboration.
"Voting and following politics are relatively undemanding forms of participation," writes Putnam in his influential "Bowling Alone." "In fact, they are not, strictly speaking, forms of social capital at all, because they can be done utterly alone."
We can be utterly alone, too, when we perform the two other actions modern politics seems to want to limit us to: writing checks and watching attack ads on TV. We're systematically replacing "social capital" with plain old monetary capital.
Colorado's traditional caucus-convention system, in contrast, rewards the shoe-leather and diligence. It provides a low-cost way for aspirants to work the neighborhoods, investing energy instead of dollars. Recent proof of this pudding came in the race for the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District, where Rick O'Donnell captured first line on the primary ballot with a low-budget campaign that focused on traditional caucus and door-to-door campaigning. O'Donnell eventually lost the primary to the better-funded Bob Beauprez, but his achievement in getting on the ballot was impressive.
But even more important than the caucus' benefits for candidates is its benefit for ordinary citizens. It's a vibrant neighborhood forum for hashing out ideas - the last remaining arena in which you can get on the first rung of the ladder toward political effectiveness by just showing up.
I've covered precinct or town caucuses in Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and Mississippi as well as Colorado. My favorite memory is of escorting a big-deal network analyst to his very first caucus in an American Legion hall in Iowa. This was a political expert well into his 50s, yet he'd never seen a caucus; primaries had always been his beat. He was blown away. For the first time in years of covering politics, he told me, he'd seen the true face of America.
He was right. Caucuses offer a peculiarly intimate view of a community and its people. They'll amaze you with the quality of caring and thought participants bring to the discussion. And sometimes, if you're very lucky, you'll see new, young leaders find their first toehold in the process.
Why is the Colorado caucus withering? First, because the legislature, in an ineffectual grab for national headlines, created a meaningless presidential primary that eliminated the headline race that once inspired much caucus activism.
Second, because we're all getting good at sitting on the sidelines. The Kettering Foundation's David Mathews once reminded readers that the word idiot comes from the Greeks. Privacy, they thought, was akin to stupidity. "Idiots" were incapable of finding their place in the social order.
Why bow to the trend of letting the next guy do it? Why sell out to letting money replace shoe-leather at every level of American politics?
Why not keep the caucus as an open door to involvement, while continuing to provide the petition alternative? Bighorn's goal may be to increase the number of people peripherally involved in the process - but the initiative will never replace the quality of participation the caucus can provide.
Good political talk … is where we recognize the connectedness of things - and our own connectedness. … Good political talk is also where we discover what is common amidst our differences. -David Mathews, "Civic Intelligence"
Sue O'Brien was editor of the Denver Post editorial page.
Now ask any question you might have about any of what you've read here. Or make comments about what you've learned. Circle your calendar for March 16 for your neighborhood caucus!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Week #3-- From John Wren. (Please post your thoughts as a comment below.)
This week:
Catch up by reading Week 1 and 2 before going on with these new readings.
Read Week 3 reading Political Clubs and The Political Leaders Problems. (click here, print)
Read Precinct caucus tips, below.
Then please post a comment here, either a question on what you've read, information about a political club you know about now or find out about through your research as part of participating in this class. I'll post something about a political club or two, will ask others to do the same, so check back tomorrow.
Finally, in your comment please give me your opinion: Why aren't we getting more comments posted here? Real experts are standing by to give good answers to questions. What could be changed to improve the quality of the online conversation.
This week Phil Perington has agreed to be our "speaker." Phil has been very active in politics for years and has lots of expertise. I met him when a few of us formed "Save the Caucus" in 2002 to fight the misguided Amendment 29. I've asked Phil to give you a few tips about how to be effective as a newcomer in your precinct caucus, and then he'll answer any question you post here as a comment. Here's Phil:
FUN TIPS FOR 1st TIME CAUCUS ATTENDEES...
#1 Each individual caucus makes their own rules. As a bonus, if an issue comes up that has either agreement or disagreement you all vote on it.
#2 Even if you are not registered as a member of the party conducting the caucus you are allowed to attend and be involved in the meeting, except for voting on candidates.
#3. You can submit a proposal for an issue near and dear to you for consideration of the Resolutions/Platform of the County Party. You are allowed to speak to the Caucus attendees on any matter being discussed, at any time.
#4. You can be elected as a Precinct Chair, Delegate to the County Assembly or volunteer for vacant positions within the Party. An excellent way to become more actively involved in Grassroots politics. In many cases first time attendees become an important volunteer or participant in a Candidates campaign or the Party structure. By attending your caucus you will hear and receive valuable information from the County, State and National Parties.
So have some fun and get involved in the Political system on a whole new level. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?
Catch up by reading Week 1 and 2 before going on with these new readings.
Read Week 3 reading Political Clubs and The Political Leaders Problems. (click here, print)
Read Precinct caucus tips, below.
Then please post a comment here, either a question on what you've read, information about a political club you know about now or find out about through your research as part of participating in this class. I'll post something about a political club or two, will ask others to do the same, so check back tomorrow.
Finally, in your comment please give me your opinion: Why aren't we getting more comments posted here? Real experts are standing by to give good answers to questions. What could be changed to improve the quality of the online conversation.
This week Phil Perington has agreed to be our "speaker." Phil has been very active in politics for years and has lots of expertise. I met him when a few of us formed "Save the Caucus" in 2002 to fight the misguided Amendment 29. I've asked Phil to give you a few tips about how to be effective as a newcomer in your precinct caucus, and then he'll answer any question you post here as a comment. Here's Phil:
FUN TIPS FOR 1st TIME CAUCUS ATTENDEES...
#1 Each individual caucus makes their own rules. As a bonus, if an issue comes up that has either agreement or disagreement you all vote on it.
#2 Even if you are not registered as a member of the party conducting the caucus you are allowed to attend and be involved in the meeting, except for voting on candidates.
#3. You can submit a proposal for an issue near and dear to you for consideration of the Resolutions/Platform of the County Party. You are allowed to speak to the Caucus attendees on any matter being discussed, at any time.
#4. You can be elected as a Precinct Chair, Delegate to the County Assembly or volunteer for vacant positions within the Party. An excellent way to become more actively involved in Grassroots politics. In many cases first time attendees become an important volunteer or participant in a Candidates campaign or the Party structure. By attending your caucus you will hear and receive valuable information from the County, State and National Parties.
So have some fun and get involved in the Political system on a whole new level. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Week #2-- From John Wren. (Please post your thoughts as a comment below.)
This week:
*Read the Week #2 readings: The Political Precinct and The Political Campaign (click here, print)
*If you haven't already join the "I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses" Facebook group. (click here)
*Read the John Skipper "talk" about the Iowa Caucus, the post your comments and questions.
*MOST IMPORTANT: See "What have you learned? Who are your leaders? What's going on?" below. Ask the suggested questions of your party leaders , then share what you find out as a comment by next Monday.
John Skipper is a career newspaperman who has covered presidential politics in Iowa for 25 years. His book Iowa Caucuses: First Test of Presidential Aspirations, 1972-2008 is not only fun to read it provides lots of insights into the process. In my opinion it should be on the bookshelf of every American who is concerned about the effects of big money and big power in politics and strengthen the best tool for fighting power and money, the grassroots neighborhood caucus-assembly system. It's my pleasure to introduce my friend John Skipper. Please hold your applause. :)
Good morning from Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation test for potential presidents of the United States, the Iowa caucuses. My purpose here today is not to pressure, persuade or exert some self-imposed sense of influence on you. Rather, I hope to share a few thoughts with you that will inspire a few thoughts of your own that you will be willing to share with others. And before you know it, you'll reach some conclusions that just might have lasting impact.
That, by the way, is a good description of the Iowa caucuses - a forum where well-meaning people gather, share some thoughts, listen to the thoughts of others and reach conclusions with lasting impact. If you don't think that works in Iowa, ask Jimmy Carter about 1976; ask George W. Bush about 2000; ask Barack Obama about 2008.
The national media often questions whether Iowa, a small, agricultural state that is 94 percent Caucasian, is really representative of the rest of the country - and should it be first in the presidential preference primaries and caucuses. My answer to that is that any state that is first would face the same kind of scrutiny. People would ask if Ohio or Michigan were too industrial or if New York or California or Texas were too big or if Colorado was too this or too that - I'll let you fill in that blank.
But here is what caucuses offer, regardless of pecking order. They are the last bastion of grassroots politicking in this country. During the campaigns prior to the caucus, candidates come to woo you. They meet you at your kitchen table or in your school gymnasium or at the fairgrounds. You get to see them, hear them, chat with them, ask them questions and get a feel for how they interact with people and how sincere or phony they are. Sometimes people challenge me on whether this is democracy in action or a republic and my answer to that is, let's not quibble over semantics. Instead, ask yourself how many countries in the world have a system as open as this is.
On caucus night, any eligible voter who wants to participate can come and offer their views about the candidate of their choice. The doctor, the lawyer, the rancher, the housewife, the sewer worker are all on the same playing field and, in this forum, it is a level playing field. Everybody gets their say. And then there's a vote. The presidential races get all the publicity but caucuses serve a lot of other functions. You get to choose who you want representing you at district caucuses, if you have them, and at the state convention. You also have a say on what you think should be in the party platform.
I'll conclude today by telling you a little story about the Iowa caucuses. In 1984, Senator John Glenn, the former astronaut, sought the Democratic presidential nomination. So in 1983, he campaigned in Iowa. He had an out-of-state pollster making phone calls in Iowa to try to find out how much support he had. The pollster, making random phone calls, contacted Mary Grandon, a housewife in Clear Lake, Iowa, a town of about 8,000 people. The pollster asked, "Will you be supporting Senator Glenn?" Mrs. Grandon replied, "I don't know -- I haven't met him yet!"
That's the power of the caucuses; that's the power of the people. I end where I began. Ask Jimmy Carter. Ask George W. Bush. Ask Barack Obama.
Thank you very much.
--------------------------------------------------
John C. Skipper has written a book detailing the history of the Iowa Caucuses. It is called "The Iowa Caucuses: First Tests of Presidential Aspirations: 1972-2008." It is available from McFarland publishers, www.mcfarlandpub.com or you can contact John directly at skipper707@mchsi.com
John also has developed a Facebook page called "Iowa Caucus News" that keeps viewers up to date on events leading up to the 2012 caucuses and has a web page, www.iowacaucusbook,com
Do you have any questions for John about the caucus process? This is a great opportunity to get them answered by someone with years and years of caucus experience in Iowa. Post them here now.
*Read the Week #2 readings: The Political Precinct and The Political Campaign (click here, print)
*If you haven't already join the "I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses" Facebook group. (click here)
*Read the John Skipper "talk" about the Iowa Caucus, the post your comments and questions.
*MOST IMPORTANT: See "What have you learned? Who are your leaders? What's going on?" below. Ask the suggested questions of your party leaders , then share what you find out as a comment by next Monday.
John Skipper is a career newspaperman who has covered presidential politics in Iowa for 25 years. His book Iowa Caucuses: First Test of Presidential Aspirations, 1972-2008 is not only fun to read it provides lots of insights into the process. In my opinion it should be on the bookshelf of every American who is concerned about the effects of big money and big power in politics and strengthen the best tool for fighting power and money, the grassroots neighborhood caucus-assembly system. It's my pleasure to introduce my friend John Skipper. Please hold your applause. :)
Good morning from Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation test for potential presidents of the United States, the Iowa caucuses. My purpose here today is not to pressure, persuade or exert some self-imposed sense of influence on you. Rather, I hope to share a few thoughts with you that will inspire a few thoughts of your own that you will be willing to share with others. And before you know it, you'll reach some conclusions that just might have lasting impact.
That, by the way, is a good description of the Iowa caucuses - a forum where well-meaning people gather, share some thoughts, listen to the thoughts of others and reach conclusions with lasting impact. If you don't think that works in Iowa, ask Jimmy Carter about 1976; ask George W. Bush about 2000; ask Barack Obama about 2008.
The national media often questions whether Iowa, a small, agricultural state that is 94 percent Caucasian, is really representative of the rest of the country - and should it be first in the presidential preference primaries and caucuses. My answer to that is that any state that is first would face the same kind of scrutiny. People would ask if Ohio or Michigan were too industrial or if New York or California or Texas were too big or if Colorado was too this or too that - I'll let you fill in that blank.
But here is what caucuses offer, regardless of pecking order. They are the last bastion of grassroots politicking in this country. During the campaigns prior to the caucus, candidates come to woo you. They meet you at your kitchen table or in your school gymnasium or at the fairgrounds. You get to see them, hear them, chat with them, ask them questions and get a feel for how they interact with people and how sincere or phony they are. Sometimes people challenge me on whether this is democracy in action or a republic and my answer to that is, let's not quibble over semantics. Instead, ask yourself how many countries in the world have a system as open as this is.
On caucus night, any eligible voter who wants to participate can come and offer their views about the candidate of their choice. The doctor, the lawyer, the rancher, the housewife, the sewer worker are all on the same playing field and, in this forum, it is a level playing field. Everybody gets their say. And then there's a vote. The presidential races get all the publicity but caucuses serve a lot of other functions. You get to choose who you want representing you at district caucuses, if you have them, and at the state convention. You also have a say on what you think should be in the party platform.
I'll conclude today by telling you a little story about the Iowa caucuses. In 1984, Senator John Glenn, the former astronaut, sought the Democratic presidential nomination. So in 1983, he campaigned in Iowa. He had an out-of-state pollster making phone calls in Iowa to try to find out how much support he had. The pollster, making random phone calls, contacted Mary Grandon, a housewife in Clear Lake, Iowa, a town of about 8,000 people. The pollster asked, "Will you be supporting Senator Glenn?" Mrs. Grandon replied, "I don't know -- I haven't met him yet!"
That's the power of the caucuses; that's the power of the people. I end where I began. Ask Jimmy Carter. Ask George W. Bush. Ask Barack Obama.
Thank you very much.
--------------------------------------------------
John C. Skipper has written a book detailing the history of the Iowa Caucuses. It is called "The Iowa Caucuses: First Tests of Presidential Aspirations: 1972-2008." It is available from McFarland publishers, www.mcfarlandpub.com or you can contact John directly at skipper707@mchsi.com
John also has developed a Facebook page called "Iowa Caucus News" that keeps viewers up to date on events leading up to the 2012 caucuses and has a web page, www.iowacaucusbook,com
Do you have any questions for John about the caucus process? This is a great opportunity to get them answered by someone with years and years of caucus experience in Iowa. Post them here now.
What have you learned?
Who are your leaders?
What's going on?
One of the most valuable learning experiences is to call at least one county party headquarters (listed in the phone book or call your state party), get the names and phone numbers of your precinct committee people, then call and talk with one or both of them. Explain you're participating in this online class to learn more about the caucus system, then find out what's going on between now and the March 16th caucus in your neighborhood, and volunteer to help.
Take notes, then share what you've found out here by next Monday (Feb 29). Sharing helps you learn more from the experience, and it greatly benefits us all as we find out what is going on around the state.
I'm going to do this Monday (Feb 22) for my precinct for both the Dems and GOP and then post what I learn here in the next day or so to help get us started. Hope you'll do the same with at least one party. This can be one of the most valuable experiences of the Action Class in Practical Politics, I hope you take full advantage of it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me by posting that question here, or contact me directly at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Who are your leaders?
What's going on?
One of the most valuable learning experiences is to call at least one county party headquarters (listed in the phone book or call your state party), get the names and phone numbers of your precinct committee people, then call and talk with one or both of them. Explain you're participating in this online class to learn more about the caucus system, then find out what's going on between now and the March 16th caucus in your neighborhood, and volunteer to help.
Take notes, then share what you've found out here by next Monday (Feb 29). Sharing helps you learn more from the experience, and it greatly benefits us all as we find out what is going on around the state.
I'm going to do this Monday (Feb 22) for my precinct for both the Dems and GOP and then post what I learn here in the next day or so to help get us started. Hope you'll do the same with at least one party. This can be one of the most valuable experiences of the Action Class in Practical Politics, I hope you take full advantage of it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me by posting that question here, or contact me directly at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week #1-- From John Wren. (Please post your thoughts as a comment below.)
First, take just a minute and introduce yourself to the "class" we'll be having here online each week. Please post an introduction of yourself below under "Introductions" (click here now, THEN GO TO TOP OF PAGE). This is optional, but I believe we'll all learn more if we know who is participating.
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off. My friend David Fogel says he is sure that today they would join the opposite party! Lincoln and his concerns would be more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be GOP, David thinks. (Do you agree? Why or why not? Post as a comment below if you have strong feelings about this or anything else that is posted here, especially if you disagree.)
Washington and Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but Jefferson finally saw that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
My neighbor Lyle Lindesmith taught me to love the Colorado Caucus.
In 1974, as a recently elected precinct committee person going door to door looking for a block captain on one of the few blocks in my precinct that didn't have one already, I met Lyle.
I was talking with everyone who was on my list of party members. I'd knock on the door, introduce myself, and ask for help. For years Lyle had led a 4-session class call "Action Class in Practical Politics." Each week he'd invite speakers from both major political parties, and students were give homework assignments of checking out their local neighborhood and county, reporting back to the class what had been discovered. Now I'm seeing if we can make it work for people here on line, thanks for being part of the test!
Lyle had been Executive Director of the Colorado Republican Pary, and with Jeane Toole they developed John Love from an obscure El Paso County Republican into Governor. Lyle went with Love to Washington when he was appointed Energy Czar.
Lyle asked me to help with what I think was the last session of the Action Class he ever led, it was at the old Petroleum Club and community activist Jeanne Faatz http://www.jeannefaatz.org/ was in the class, just starting to think about running for elective office. She was soon elected to the state legislature, and now serves on the Denver City Council.
From time to time I stopped by and visited with Lyle at his business, Englewood Press on South Broadway, and he steeped me in his long-time political wisdom, advice that would have served me well if I'd paid more attention to it. Here's what I remember now:
*Make a decision whether you want to be a candidate for elected office, or if you'd rather be of service through party work. Lyle had learned from personal experience the two don't mix, that's been my experience, too.
*Party leaders, from precinct committee person to state chair do their job best when they stay neutral in candidate races. Let all the candidates bring new people into the party rather than compete for the party faithful.
*There are several ways to get involved: 1) Through the party structure; 2) Through auxiliary organizations; 3) Through candidate organizations. Lyle had Action Class members contact their local leaders in all three areas, look for opportunities to fill voids in their neighborhood.
You who are reading this now could become State Chair of one of the major political parties or Governor of Colorado if you'd take Lyle's sage advice to heart right now. What's the best next step for newcomers? I'll talk about that next week.
I didn't know Lyle very long, but he had a big effect on my thinking and he helped to launch many active citizens in both major parties. He passed away December 26, 1978 and I attended his funeral. There was never any recognition of his passing by the county or state party. Do you think it's too late now?
Assignment for between now and next Monday: 1) Read what is posted here; 2) Call county headquarters for the political party of your choice, get the names and phone numbers for your neighbors who are serving as precinct committee people, and ask them what is going on in your neighborhood. We'll ask everyone to share what they've learned here next week.
Suggested readings for this week:
For basic information about how the Colorado system works: Secretary of State website.
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/PoliticalPartyCaucusInfo.pdf
Week #1 Readings: "The Individual in Politics" and "The Political Party Organizaion." Download and print out for your own personal use. http://www.scribd.com/full/26851789?access_key=key-rm1w0del1m4jqtxnkuo
Next Week: John Skipper, Author of "The Iowa Caucuses," and also surprise guests will be with us. Next week you'll be asked to share what you've learned about your own party through your contact with your county and precinct.
Now it's your turn. Post your thoughts below and also an introduction of yourself if you haven't already. You can post anytime through out the next week. Note: Post comments about the caucus system at the bottom of this post. Below see "Introductions" and "Events" please post there with a short intro of yourself if you want and events that are coming up. Then I hope to see you back here next Monday, February 22 for our guest "speakers" and a continuation of this online discussion.
If you've found this helpful, please email a link to this website along to your friends who might like to become more active citizens. They will thank you, and so will I if you'll let me know what you've done. John Wren John@JohnWren.com (303)861-1447
I'll be inviting guest "speakers" to make the opening posts with me each Monday (next Monday, John Skipper, author of "Iowa Caucuses"), both Democrats and Republicans who are willing to share about their party, auxiliary organization, or campaign. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off. My friend David Fogel says he is sure that today they would join the opposite party! Lincoln and his concerns would be more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be GOP, David thinks. (Do you agree? Why or why not? Post as a comment below if you have strong feelings about this or anything else that is posted here, especially if you disagree.)
Washington and Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but Jefferson finally saw that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
My neighbor Lyle Lindesmith taught me to love the Colorado Caucus.
In 1974, as a recently elected precinct committee person going door to door looking for a block captain on one of the few blocks in my precinct that didn't have one already, I met Lyle.
I was talking with everyone who was on my list of party members. I'd knock on the door, introduce myself, and ask for help. For years Lyle had led a 4-session class call "Action Class in Practical Politics." Each week he'd invite speakers from both major political parties, and students were give homework assignments of checking out their local neighborhood and county, reporting back to the class what had been discovered. Now I'm seeing if we can make it work for people here on line, thanks for being part of the test!
Lyle had been Executive Director of the Colorado Republican Pary, and with Jeane Toole they developed John Love from an obscure El Paso County Republican into Governor. Lyle went with Love to Washington when he was appointed Energy Czar.
Lyle asked me to help with what I think was the last session of the Action Class he ever led, it was at the old Petroleum Club and community activist Jeanne Faatz http://www.jeannefaatz.org/ was in the class, just starting to think about running for elective office. She was soon elected to the state legislature, and now serves on the Denver City Council.
From time to time I stopped by and visited with Lyle at his business, Englewood Press on South Broadway, and he steeped me in his long-time political wisdom, advice that would have served me well if I'd paid more attention to it. Here's what I remember now:
*Make a decision whether you want to be a candidate for elected office, or if you'd rather be of service through party work. Lyle had learned from personal experience the two don't mix, that's been my experience, too.
*Party leaders, from precinct committee person to state chair do their job best when they stay neutral in candidate races. Let all the candidates bring new people into the party rather than compete for the party faithful.
*There are several ways to get involved: 1) Through the party structure; 2) Through auxiliary organizations; 3) Through candidate organizations. Lyle had Action Class members contact their local leaders in all three areas, look for opportunities to fill voids in their neighborhood.
You who are reading this now could become State Chair of one of the major political parties or Governor of Colorado if you'd take Lyle's sage advice to heart right now. What's the best next step for newcomers? I'll talk about that next week.
I didn't know Lyle very long, but he had a big effect on my thinking and he helped to launch many active citizens in both major parties. He passed away December 26, 1978 and I attended his funeral. There was never any recognition of his passing by the county or state party. Do you think it's too late now?
Assignment for between now and next Monday: 1) Read what is posted here; 2) Call county headquarters for the political party of your choice, get the names and phone numbers for your neighbors who are serving as precinct committee people, and ask them what is going on in your neighborhood. We'll ask everyone to share what they've learned here next week.
Suggested readings for this week:
For basic information about how the Colorado system works: Secretary of State website.
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/PoliticalPartyCaucusInfo.pdf
Week #1 Readings: "The Individual in Politics" and "The Political Party Organizaion." Download and print out for your own personal use. http://www.scribd.com/full/26851789?access_key=key-rm1w0del1m4jqtxnkuo
Next Week: John Skipper, Author of "The Iowa Caucuses," and also surprise guests will be with us. Next week you'll be asked to share what you've learned about your own party through your contact with your county and precinct.
Now it's your turn. Post your thoughts below and also an introduction of yourself if you haven't already. You can post anytime through out the next week. Note: Post comments about the caucus system at the bottom of this post. Below see "Introductions" and "Events" please post there with a short intro of yourself if you want and events that are coming up. Then I hope to see you back here next Monday, February 22 for our guest "speakers" and a continuation of this online discussion.
If you've found this helpful, please email a link to this website along to your friends who might like to become more active citizens. They will thank you, and so will I if you'll let me know what you've done. John Wren John@JohnWren.com (303)861-1447
Introductions
Please post a few words about yourself as a comment. Tell us who you are, what county you're in (state if you live outside of Colorado), what your political experience has been and your current affiliation. Finally tell us why you are participating, what you hope to learn and any other reason you're willing to be part of this. (This is optional, of course, you can be anonymous if you want. But it's been my experience that we'll all learn more from this if we get to know a little about each other.)
Events
What's going on that other people who want to be more politically active might like to know about? Please post each event as a SHORT comment to this post, include a link to a website where more information is available if possible.
Publish Post
Thursday, February 11, 2010
We are now #1 listing on Google
Thanks to your active interest in what we are doing here, a search now on Google for "Colorado Caucuses" results in this site #1, top listing.
Good response to new, free online caucus workshop.
Over 100 people have RSVPd yes or maybe for the online workshop Action Class in Practical Politics that starts Monday.
A starter post will be put up here on this site each Monday morning with a link on Twitter, and it will be reposted on the Facebook group "I'm a Fan of the Colorado Caucuses" and those participating will be asked to repost it on any Internet site who they think might be interested. Highlights will be collected into an article each week that will appear in a print publication which will be announced next week.
Favorable publicity is expected over the next few days, and I'm very hopeful that together we can have a dramatic increase in the informed participation in the March 16th caucuses across the state. Evidence that we've succeeded will a renewal of leadership with fresh faces at all levels, from block workers and precinct committee people to district and county chairpeople.
Hope you'll join us! No RSVP is required, just come back here Monday morning. If you want to RSVP and share the fact that you'll be with us with your Facebook friends to encourage them to become more involved citizens, click on the above headline.
I look forward to seeing you back here Monday morning at 7 a.m. or anytime during the week. Post your comments here on this site (to make sure it gets included in our weekly aggregate print column) any of the other numerous Internet sites that will be carrying our "starter" post each week. If you have any questions or suggestions you'd care to share now, post them here as a comment or contact me (John Wren) directly at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Together we can increase the informed participation in the March 16th Colorado Caucuses!
A starter post will be put up here on this site each Monday morning with a link on Twitter, and it will be reposted on the Facebook group "I'm a Fan of the Colorado Caucuses" and those participating will be asked to repost it on any Internet site who they think might be interested. Highlights will be collected into an article each week that will appear in a print publication which will be announced next week.
Favorable publicity is expected over the next few days, and I'm very hopeful that together we can have a dramatic increase in the informed participation in the March 16th caucuses across the state. Evidence that we've succeeded will a renewal of leadership with fresh faces at all levels, from block workers and precinct committee people to district and county chairpeople.
Hope you'll join us! No RSVP is required, just come back here Monday morning. If you want to RSVP and share the fact that you'll be with us with your Facebook friends to encourage them to become more involved citizens, click on the above headline.
I look forward to seeing you back here Monday morning at 7 a.m. or anytime during the week. Post your comments here on this site (to make sure it gets included in our weekly aggregate print column) any of the other numerous Internet sites that will be carrying our "starter" post each week. If you have any questions or suggestions you'd care to share now, post them here as a comment or contact me (John Wren) directly at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447.
Together we can increase the informed participation in the March 16th Colorado Caucuses!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The new online Action Class in Practical Politics has nearly 100 people in it already, it's part of the Facebook group I've started "I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses." The class will be very interactive and we'll get the benefit of the experience of lots of people. It should be good, but will be better if you are with us! Link to the upper left on this page. (Pleave me a comment here or email me at John@JohnWren.comif you think it's a mistake to offer this on Facebook only.)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I recently got an email from someone who shared why he doesn't share my enthusiasm for the Colorado Caucuses:
The Caucus process works for people who can attend at 7pm on March 16th. However, it excludes people: those who will be out of town for work; truck drivers who make up time at night; people who work the night shifts at: hospitals, police stations, fire departments, call centers, grocery stores, convenience stores, 24-hour businesses, 24-hour public services, janitorial services; parents with young children who need to get them ready for bed at 7pm; the elderly and disabled who have to rely on others to get to their caucus locations; etc. -- they are EXCLUDED from being able to participate in choosing their candidate. For the past few years, when I make calls to remind active voters about their precinct caucus, I've heard the reasons listed above at least once for why a voter cannot participate - and they are not flippant about it, but actually wish they could participate in some way.
As a political activist, I love the concept of getting together with my neighbors to discuss our candidates and platform. However, you have to admit that the caucuses, unfortunately, have become an exclusive gathering, so I can't really say I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses.
The fact that not everyone can attend is a shortcoming of the neighborhood caucus system for nominating to the primary ballot. So is this a sufficient reason to change they system or to not support it by helping to reach out to newcomers?
No, not in my opinion. To me it's like jury duty. It's a civic responsibility some of us need to take on some of the time. Those who can't attend the caucus can still participate in the primary election. And candidates who want can still skip the caucus and petition onto the ballot.
What do you think? Please take just a minute and post a comment here, OK?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Check out the Colorado Secretary of State website. They have finally put a link on the elections home page to the new Colorado caucuses page as we have been requesting that they do. http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/
It's the #1 Google listing for "Colorado Caucuses" search as it should be.
This site is #2. :)
It's the #1 Google listing for "Colorado Caucuses" search as it should be.
This site is #2. :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
In our system of government, politics must be the part-time occupation of every citizen.Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Want to practice for your March 16? Join us for Denver Speakers Corner, tomorrow (Jan 30) or any Sunday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 13th & Grant here in Denver. More info and optional RSVP to be part of the leadership group at http://meetup.com/Denver-Speakers-Corner.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Colorado Secretary of State Page: Colorado Caucuses
It's great that this page has been put up (finally) of the Secretary of State webpage. Some of us have been talking to the various holders of that office since 2002 about getting something like this.
But why is there no link on the front page of the elections page?
Would newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics be able to find the page without such a link?
What do you think?
But why is there no link on the front page of the elections page?
Would newcomers to Colorado or Colorado politics be able to find the page without such a link?
What do you think?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Did you watch the President's report to us on TV last night?
I didn't see it live, but I've watched in online and read through the transcript on the Denver Post.
Working with groups is frustrating, most of us have a difficult time getting even our own family to agree on simple things.
In our system of government the real power is vested with we the people, the common people, the grassroots.
What the President said last night, the formal Republican response, and then all of the discussion that follows consumes the attention of the country right now.
But a far more important event happens for us here in Colorado March 16 when there will be over 6,000 neighborhood gatherings where citizens will elect representatives and vote on resolutions.
It's a hard story for the media to cover, so it lacks the high profile of last night's talk.
We can't sit home and turn on the TV or computer and watch it live or recorded. It won't make the headlines the next morning. But it can be argued it will have far more of a lasting effect.
So thanks to the thousands of people in both major parties who are working hard right now to once more bring it about. If you want to help, call the local county office for your political party. And I hope you'll share what you experience with us here. If you create a blog or website for that purpose, I will link to it here.
I didn't see it live, but I've watched in online and read through the transcript on the Denver Post.
Working with groups is frustrating, most of us have a difficult time getting even our own family to agree on simple things.
In our system of government the real power is vested with we the people, the common people, the grassroots.
What the President said last night, the formal Republican response, and then all of the discussion that follows consumes the attention of the country right now.
But a far more important event happens for us here in Colorado March 16 when there will be over 6,000 neighborhood gatherings where citizens will elect representatives and vote on resolutions.
It's a hard story for the media to cover, so it lacks the high profile of last night's talk.
We can't sit home and turn on the TV or computer and watch it live or recorded. It won't make the headlines the next morning. But it can be argued it will have far more of a lasting effect.
So thanks to the thousands of people in both major parties who are working hard right now to once more bring it about. If you want to help, call the local county office for your political party. And I hope you'll share what you experience with us here. If you create a blog or website for that purpose, I will link to it here.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2010
For more contact: John Wren (303)861-1447
UNAFFILIATED JOHN WREN DECLARES HIMSELF CAUCUS LAUREATE.
Long-time community activist will use the Internet and public speaking to encourage others to get involved.
DENVER--John Wren announced today his intention to increase informed participation in the Colorado caucuses, which will next meet on March 16. Wren will be reporting about his efforts on Colorado Caucus 2010 http://www.COCaucus.org and he is available to talk with business, neighborhood and other groups. Contact him at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com
“I’ve decided to become an unaffiliated voter for the next couple of years. Instead of working to help a political party to form and advance an agenda or working for a particular candidate or issue, I’ll be working to help whoever would like to become a more active citizen to get involved with the party, issue, or candidate of their choice,” said Wren.
“It seems to me we need a Colorado Caucus Laureate to raise the consciousness and a greater appreciation of the biannual Colorado Caucuses, our state-wide civics lesson. This is something that has been done for poetry; it should be done for the art of Colorado citizenship.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Poet_Laureate
“If people are tired of politics as usually, people who are affiliated with one of the two major political parties should inform themselves about issues, potential candidates, and how the system works, and then go to their March 16 neighborhood caucus ready to go to work. People who are unaffiliated right now can’t vote in the caucus, but they can still participate and make a difference, something I’ll be talking about on Colorado Caucus 2010,” said Wren.
John S. Wren www.JohnWren.com is a business consultant and adult educator. He was part of the group that formed Save the Caucus in 2002 to defeat Amendment 29 which would have ended the grassroots caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot in Colorado. He can be reached at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
January 27, 2010
For more contact: John Wren (303)861-1447
UNAFFILIATED JOHN WREN DECLARES HIMSELF CAUCUS LAUREATE.
Long-time community activist will use the Internet and public speaking to encourage others to get involved.
DENVER--John Wren announced today his intention to increase informed participation in the Colorado caucuses, which will next meet on March 16. Wren will be reporting about his efforts on Colorado Caucus 2010 http://www.COCaucus.org and he is available to talk with business, neighborhood and other groups. Contact him at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com
“I’ve decided to become an unaffiliated voter for the next couple of years. Instead of working to help a political party to form and advance an agenda or working for a particular candidate or issue, I’ll be working to help whoever would like to become a more active citizen to get involved with the party, issue, or candidate of their choice,” said Wren.
“It seems to me we need a Colorado Caucus Laureate to raise the consciousness and a greater appreciation of the biannual Colorado Caucuses, our state-wide civics lesson. This is something that has been done for poetry; it should be done for the art of Colorado citizenship.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Poet_Laureate
“If people are tired of politics as usually, people who are affiliated with one of the two major political parties should inform themselves about issues, potential candidates, and how the system works, and then go to their March 16 neighborhood caucus ready to go to work. People who are unaffiliated right now can’t vote in the caucus, but they can still participate and make a difference, something I’ll be talking about on Colorado Caucus 2010,” said Wren.
Since 1996 Wren has organized and facilitated adult learning groups, now through his new Community Room College. http://www.CommunityRoomCollege.org
###
John S. Wren www.JohnWren.com is a business consultant and adult educator. He was part of the group that formed Save the Caucus in 2002 to defeat Amendment 29 which would have ended the grassroots caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot in Colorado. He can be reached at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
New Facebook Group: I'm a fan of the Colorado Caucuses.
I've followed John Skipper's lead, he recently set up "I'm a fan of the Iowa Caucuses" Facebook group. Hope you'll join. (Click on the headline/link above)
Are you and I Facebook friends? If not, Friend me and I'll send you an invitation to the new group. http://www.facebook.com/John.S.Wren
Are you and I Facebook friends? If not, Friend me and I'll send you an invitation to the new group. http://www.facebook.com/John.S.Wren
Thursday, January 21, 2010
From my friend Steven Clift, Neighborhood e-mail list host for
http://e-democracy.org/se
Steven writes:
Do you host a ...
... neighborhood e-mail list?
... highly interactive placeblog?
... local social network on Ning?
... a private Facebook group for nearest neighbors?
... a local online community of any kind?
Then join your peers on this new peer-to-peer online group for local hosts:
One of the buried factoids from the Pew Internet and American Life Project last year is that 4% of American adults or 8 million people are members of good old neighborhood e-mail lists. If the average neighborhood e-mail list is 200 people (no idea what it is) that means 40,000 people have step up to successfully create an online public space for their neighbors. However whether it is on YahooGroups, Google Groups, Ning, or Facebook a quick hunt for local online groups brings up perhaps 10 empty shells with just a few members.
The technology made it easy for 360,000 people to fail at a low cost and 40,000 of us broke through and managed to convince our neighbors to join us online (very much a close to one person a time adventure from my experience) to the tune of 8 million overall. The neighbors movement online is completely below the radar and most succesful efforts barely know about the local online spaces beyond their immediate area. I want to change that by gathering a few hundred hosts of online neighborhood efforts in a space we can use to exchange stories, lessons, and advice.
Imagine if we simply captured our top ten lessons and the success rate for new neighborhood spaces went from 10% to 20% by spreading our collective advice. We'd serve another 8 million people (far more globally for that
matter) in no time. Wow!
That might be the easy part. The real challenge is finding the first few hundred online neighborhood hosts who don't yet know they are part of a movement. Can you help by sending the local revolutionaries you know to:
http://e-democracy.org/locals
http://e-democracy.org/se
Steven writes:
Do you host a ...
... neighborhood e-mail list?
... highly interactive placeblog?
... local social network on Ning?
... a private Facebook group for nearest neighbors?
... a local online community of any kind?
Then join your peers on this new peer-to-peer online group for local hosts:
One of the buried factoids from the Pew Internet and American Life Project last year is that 4% of American adults or 8 million people are members of good old neighborhood e-mail lists. If the average neighborhood e-mail list is 200 people (no idea what it is) that means 40,000 people have step up to successfully create an online public space for their neighbors. However whether it is on YahooGroups, Google Groups, Ning, or Facebook a quick hunt for local online groups brings up perhaps 10 empty shells with just a few members.
The technology made it easy for 360,000 people to fail at a low cost and 40,000 of us broke through and managed to convince our neighbors to join us online (very much a close to one person a time adventure from my experience) to the tune of 8 million overall. The neighbors movement online is completely below the radar and most succesful efforts barely know about the local online spaces beyond their immediate area. I want to change that by gathering a few hundred hosts of online neighborhood efforts in a space we can use to exchange stories, lessons, and advice.
Imagine if we simply captured our top ten lessons and the success rate for new neighborhood spaces went from 10% to 20% by spreading our collective advice. We'd serve another 8 million people (far more globally for that
matter) in no time. Wow!
That might be the easy part. The real challenge is finding the first few hundred online neighborhood hosts who don't yet know they are part of a movement. Can you help by sending the local revolutionaries you know to:
http://e-democracy.org/locals
Denver Post Political Site
The Denver Post political site just started following me on Twitter. You can follow them at http://twitter.com/DenverPolitics or me at http://twitter.com/JohnSWren. I'm going to list it as a link here.
Where do you get your political news? Do you think others here in Colorado would find it helpful, should I link to it here?
Where do you get your political news? Do you think others here in Colorado would find it helpful, should I link to it here?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Era Colorado holds voter registration drive at CU-Boulder
Posted: 01/19/2010 05:25:15 PM MST
Voters needed to be affiliated with a political party by the end of the Tuesday to be able to participate in the 2010 March caucus.
Carrie Jackson, New Era Colorados Program Director, helped register people on CU's Boulder campus Tuesday. About 30 people registered to vote, affiliated with political parties or updated their addresses, she said.
New Era-ites hula-hooped and roller-skated around outside the University Memorial Center with their clipboards as part of the event.
During the 2008 election cycle, New Era Colorado registered over 11,000 new voters. Of those new voters, more than 10,000 were under the age of 30.
Thanks to those who got information out about the deadline yesterday to affiliate with a party to be able to participate in the March 16 neighborhood caucuses across the state:
The Denver Post had a good article on Monday, I only wish they had a follow up story yesterday, the acutual deadline day. How about a link on DenverPost.com to the information on the Secretary of State website? I'd like to see this on the homepage, but if nothing else it should be in the political section.
Westword put up a good article online yesterday, it will be interesting to see if there is anything in their print edition that comes out today.
The Ft. Collins Coloradoan had a good article, and the Associated Press put out a release yesterday morning. I don't think there was anything on radio or TV here in Denver.
In years prior there has been nothing in the media about the affiliation deadline, so this was progress.
The Denver Post had a good article on Monday, I only wish they had a follow up story yesterday, the acutual deadline day. How about a link on DenverPost.com to the information on the Secretary of State website? I'd like to see this on the homepage, but if nothing else it should be in the political section.
Westword put up a good article online yesterday, it will be interesting to see if there is anything in their print edition that comes out today.
The Ft. Collins Coloradoan had a good article, and the Associated Press put out a release yesterday morning. I don't think there was anything on radio or TV here in Denver.
In years prior there has been nothing in the media about the affiliation deadline, so this was progress.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Westword just put up a story about the Colorado Caucus, I put up link to it on Facebook.
Writer John Skipper just posted this there:
"The caucus system is the essence of democracy - grassroots, door-to-door, living room-to-living room campaigning followed by the actual caucus where anyone can stand up and tell their views on issues and candidates - followed by a public vote. You can't beat it. I ought to know. I'm from Iowa. In fact, I've just written a book about the Iowa caucuses and have a Web page that will tell you all about it.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; www.iowacaucusbook.com or go to the publisher's Web site at http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
I've read John Skipper's book The Iowa Caucus, and it is excellent. I encourage everyone who cares about the caucus-assembly system as a way to strengthen the grassroots to have it on their book shelf.
Writer John Skipper just posted this there:
"The caucus system is the essence of democracy - grassroots, door-to-door, living room-to-living room campaigning followed by the actual caucus where anyone can stand up and tell their views on issues and candidates - followed by a public vote. You can't beat it. I ought to know. I'm from Iowa. In fact, I've just written a book about the Iowa caucuses and have a Web page that will tell you all about it.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; www.iowacaucusbook.com or go to the publisher's Web site at http://www.facebook.com/l/0cbf3; http://www.mcfarlandpub.com
I've read John Skipper's book The Iowa Caucus, and it is excellent. I encourage everyone who cares about the caucus-assembly system as a way to strengthen the grassroots to have it on their book shelf.
I just got this response from the Denver Post Political Editor, Curtis Hubbard:
John,
Thanks for the note.
We published a story on the caucus deadline in Monday's paper and online at denverpost.com under the assumption that it would give people two day's notice to change their affiliations if they wanted to participate.
I haven't checked other media outlets, but I would venture to guess that we were alone among major news outlets in doing original reporting on the topic.
OK. That is true. The Post did more than the competition in the local Denver market. The AP is slow reporting the story (their brief item on the deadline was sent out at 3:45 a.m. this morning with no real details.)
But that doesn't mean the lack of coverage isn't a problem.
Looking at it from the media's side, what did the Democrats and Republicans and the Secretary of State do to try and get the story covered?
I just sent out this email:
To: Greg Moore, Curtis Hubbard, Jessica Fender, Lynn Bartels
From: John Wren
Who should I quote from the Post?
I’m going to write something for my blog Colorado Caucus 2010 about how today’s deadline for affiliating as an R or D to be able to vote March 16.was covered.
My Post print edition hasn’t arrived yet, but there is nothing about the caucus on the homepage of
It’s especially surprising the deadline is not featured on your new The Spot. Seems like the
There were almost no hits on the story that was done yesterday, but it’s clear that was because
People who go to their neighborhood caucus read the newspaper, I’m sure of that.
I’d like a statement from someone from the Denver Post about how decisions are madeColorado
You can reach me on my landline right now, or on my cell any time (720)495-4949.
John
John S. Wren, MBA+
Life is short, start now!
(303)861-1447
Monday, January 18, 2010
Deadline looms to affiliate for March political caucuses
From today's Ft. Collins Coloradoan:
BY ROBERT MOORE
RobertMoore@coloradoan.com
Tuesday is the deadline for voters to affiliate with a party if they want to participate in the first step in the nominating process, the March 16 party caucuses.
Voters who currently are registered as unaffiliated, or want to change affiliation from one party to another, must do so by today if they want to participate in the March neighborhood precinct caucuses.
"The League of Women Voters says that it's the place where the voice of just the common person has the most impact," said John Wren of Denver, who led efforts in 2002 to defeat a proposal that would have ended caucuses in Colorado. "It really neutralizes the effect of big money and big power. People that are tired of the politics of the usual should affiliate and vote in their caucus."
At the caucuses, participants will select delegates to participate in further assemblies that will help nominate candidate for state and county-level offices.
Northern Colorado Republicans, in particular, have a number of candidate selection decisions that will begin at the caucuses, including governor, senator and 4th Congressional District nominees.
Democrats in Northern Colorado currently have a contested Senate contest.
More details in Tuesday's Coloradoan.
Additional Facts
Declare affiliation
To participate in the March caucuses, voters must declare a party affiliation by Tuesday. If you want to change from unaffiliated to a particular party, or switch from one party to another, you can do so at these locations:
> Larimer County Elections; 200 W. Oak St., 5th floor, Fort Collins
> Citizens Information Center; 200 W. Oak St., 1st floor, Fort Collins
> Fort Collins Motor Vehicle, 1121 W. Prospect
> Loveland Motor Vehicle; 205 E. 6th St.
> Estes Park Motor Vehicle; 1601 Brodie Ave
Why is the Statesman online edition late?
I've enjoyed reading the Colorado Statesman since 1974. Recently they started an online edition. It hasn't been updated yet for their paper last Friday. Is this just an oversight?
Denver Post reports tomorrow's deadline.
As an adult educator, since 2002 I've encouraged government, media, and groups to make more information available about our wonderful neighborhood caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot. The system gives the common person the best chance for being elected to public office, in my opinion.
Jessica Fender called me yesterday and wrote this item for today's paper.
Jessica Fender called me yesterday and wrote this item for today's paper.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
We finally got the Secretary of State to post information about the Colorado Caucus on their website. http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/PoliticalPartyCaucusInfo.pdf
Thanks to Secretary of State Bernie Buescher for finally getting this done, something those of us from Save the Caucus have been suggesting since 2002.
But why isn't there a link on the front page to make it possible for people to find easily? And why has the link to the registration form that was on the early draft I saw taken off?
Also, in 2008 it was possible to change party affiliation online. Why has this onboard technology been disabled?
Thanks to Secretary of State Bernie Buescher for finally getting this done, something those of us from Save the Caucus have been suggesting since 2002.
But why isn't there a link on the front page to make it possible for people to find easily? And why has the link to the registration form that was on the early draft I saw taken off?
Also, in 2008 it was possible to change party affiliation online. Why has this onboard technology been disabled?
This afternoon I'll be sharing at the Denver Speakers Corner on the topic of How would Ben & Martin vote today? Would they affiliate with a political party? If so, R or D or something else?
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off.
Today, my friend David Fogel says he is sure, they would join the opposite party. Lincoln and his concerns would fit more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be giving talks at the Tea Party gatherings.
Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but he saw right away that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
So the question is, what would Ben and Martin do today?
Martin Luther King was a Republican, and I see no reason that would change today.
Ben Franklin? I think he'd see the good sense in changing affiliation from time to time. That way he'd get a chance to know all of his neighbors!
Thomas Jefferson is often given credit for being the founder of the Democrats and Abe Lincoln given credit for starting the Republicans off.
Today, my friend David Fogel says he is sure, they would join the opposite party. Lincoln and his concerns would fit more in line with the Dems, Jefferson would be giving talks at the Tea Party gatherings.
Jefferson would have preferred that there be no political parties, but he saw right away that if an opposition party was not organized Alexander Hamilton's party would win every election.
We are better off with just two parties, in my opinion, the European system of multiple parties and back room deals just makes it harder for the common person like me to participate and really make a difference.
So the question is, what would Ben and Martin do today?
Martin Luther King was a Republican, and I see no reason that would change today.
Ben Franklin? I think he'd see the good sense in changing affiliation from time to time. That way he'd get a chance to know all of his neighbors!
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