Reply #44: Sure we do, and our influence depends on our participation

[MADem]

You listen to the arguments, you size up the candidates, you pick your favorite, and then you go to work. And by go to work, I mean all the unglamorous crap--the precinct walking, the envelope stuffing, the cold calling, the poster distribution...all of that boring, tiresome stuff that supporters of a candidate do to help their choice make it to the finish line. Sure, money is a major factor. But all the cash in the world can't make up for a lousy candidate, unless the choice of candidates is restricted by the party. I do NOT want to see that happen. I want to see a vigorous primary, with many candidates and a host of ideas.

Individually, we do not have much influence. En masse, we have considerable influence. It's up to us to make it happen. Politics is a contact sport.