Thu
Dec 17 2009
02:54 pm
The party politics system is broken, Exhibit B
By: R. Neal

Rikki Hall:

Cammack did not survive the challenge of raising funds as a Democrat. In the announcement of his withdrawal, he said “long-standing political alliances proved impenetrable and fund raising ground to a halt.” His Democratic opponents already had ties to the party’s big donors. The parties act as gatekeepers to power, and the main qualification for advancement is a person’s willingness to scratch backs and affirm beliefs. An outsider like Cammack is doomed.
LeftWingCracker's picture

OK, I read this, but...

Submitted by LeftWingCracker on Thu, 2009/12/17 - 5:11pm.

Should it be easier for third parties?  Yes, no question about that.

I like Ward, seemed like a wonky sort, would have made a good governor, but the problem is that Democratic activists get nervous around recent converts.  We make them "pay their dues", because we want to make sure they are closer to true believers than mere opportunists.  He left the GOP in, what, 2008?  That's not enough time if you're going to run for Governor in 2010.

Plus, once Mark Brown was no longer there to take him around and get him acquainted with the people he needed to know in order to build a statewide organization, he was doomed.

If he's serious, he needs to stay active and get his name known.

 

 

Andy Axel's picture

Democratic activists get

Submitted by Andy Axel on Thu, 2009/12/17 - 5:52pm.
Democratic activists get nervous around recent converts. 

...because any demonstration of Independent thought makes them shit their pants.

We make them "pay their dues", because we want to make sure they are closer to true believers than mere opportunists. 

"True believer" in this case meaning "party-approved loyalist."  See also: the continued sturm und drang over having Chip Forrester at the chairmanship of the state party.  Some people will never be allowed to stop paying their dues.

And just what is the substantive difference between an opportunist and a mere opportunist?  I've seen far too many career opportunists in the TNDP to believe that opportunism is actually a disqualifier.

____________________________

Calling to the underworld. Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls.

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