shaking up the democratic party, 1968 style

My ex and I moved to IA from CA in the fall of 1968.

Most of our friends in IA were democrats who had been in IA for a while. In 72 and later when democrats got together, the stories of 68 were told and retold.

The best story. (We're talking before IA as 'first in the nation'.)

The party decided its candidates in caucuses in the individual precincts. The IA party (and the party in most states) was run by pols and wheelers and dealers. From what we were told, the place the precinct caucuses met were published (required) but in 68 (anti-war era, etc,) the 'bosses' tried to keep the lid on. In many precincts people had to work to find out where their caucus was held.

Many of the caucuses were in private homes, because historically very few people showed up. In 68, many showed up, and in some precincts there was an attempt to keep people out if the people already in the house thought that too many were trying to get in.

Many people told stories of climbing in the windows and essentially taking the precinct caucus over from the 'bosses'.

So in many precincts in IA, a new breed of democrats took over.

Then before 72 there was the McGovern Commission that rewrote many of the rules for how the national nominees were to be chosen. One of the most important in opening up the party to diversity of participation: the national delegates from each state were as a group to reflect the demographics of the party in the state---so many women, minorities, seniors, young people, etc. In a state like IA with a caucus, all those in attendance can watch how this plays out in the group that is sent on to the county convention (and then to the state and then to the national convention).

68 led to a major shakeup in the party. And 2004...???

/grammar edit

That's the thing, in these kinds of reformation deals: sometimes you have to kick in the doors.

and was active in the mcgovern campaign
those were exciting days
tho mcgovern incredibly got creamed by a crook
we elected a liberal democratic senator
and mezvinsky etc

but those were different times
we still lived in a representative democracy then
i fear that no amount of shaking up or redefining or hand wringing
will make any difference
filibuster-proof senate in 2006
republicans win 51%-48% in 2008
its a one party state with rigged elections
:(

so we still have some wakin up to do.

not that i would know, i was born in 68. :evilgrin:

interesting post, tho, thanx.

think, there are parallels certainly, with a president elected who is very certain and committed to his ideology, during a time of war which has taken the character of a guerrilla campaign and who is likely to push a lot of conservative legislation. In the 36 years from 1933 to 1969 there were 8 years of Republicans controlling the White House and 28 of Democrats, it has often been theorised that the combination of the Great Society and Vietnam both fostered the environment in which conservatism could grow and turned people off liberalism to an extent. I was hoping 2004 would mark the switch in the other direction again, but assuming Bush does get inaugurated I suppose there is a half decent chance of it happening in 08 - that of course is assuming that elections will be fully trustworthy by then.

Republican dominance presidentially. Assuming Bush is inaugurated, the 40 years from 69-09 will have seen 28 years of Republican presidents and only 12 of Democrat, even including Watergate, Iran- contra etc.

Maybe a bit more like 66, I dunno. But when I went to Oregon and learned all the new ways people are living their lives, it gave me hope. There is an underground economy some of you might know about. Look for barter fairs, barn-raising, sweat lodges, and bio-diesel fill-up stations at your local commune.

Somebody started an interesting thread on non-political things people are doing to change the way they live their lives-

http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44895

I think a big part of the movement is in keeping and maintaining a good vibe that will attract more to the fold.

:)

double post done a day later...how does that happen?

its logical conclusion then Al Gore should be elected president in four years time.

Wake me when that happens. One of the few things that keep me going is that extremely culturally interesting times happened under republican administrations. If we're all going to sit on our hands like it's 64 I'll be cryogenic-ally frozen until it is the equivalent of 68. :)