Democratic State Convention 2012

[LiberalFighter]

A referendum was passed on June 26th at the 2010 convention to consider having the State Convention hosted in another location for 2012.

There is an online petition to support having it in Fort Wayne and we need as many supporters as possible. Please go to Convention 2012 and add your support for this event.

It would be in the best interest of the Party if the event were rotated geographically or by congressional districts. My research found one state that uses a bid process, one apparently rotates by congressional district and another state I could not determine the process they used that involved different locations.

By providing the convention in different areas of the state it will encourage more participation from those that may not have done in the past. It will encourage new blood to fill the pools for volunteers, donors, candidates, precinct officers, etc. that we desperately need. It will allow delegates to experience the attractions available in the area and what they have done to make the community more enjoyable and livable.

By rotating it will allow delegates to keep their expenses down when it is held in their neck of the woods and make it more equitable for everyone else. If it were decided to use a geographic method to determine location; north, central, south. Someone from the south could attend a convention in their area which would result in less travel, less or no hotel expense, less time away from home every 6 years. The northern part of the state would also have the same benefit.

If it were rotated based on congressional districts it is very possible that certain areas like Indy would hold the convention 3 or more years out of 9 because of the way the congressional districts are mapped out. Indianapolis is split between the 4th, 5th, and 7th districts.

The State Convention should not be held in one location every time. Other parts of the state should benefit with the revenue that it brings to a community.

FORT WAYNE IS READY, ABLE, AND WILLING TO HOST THE STATE CONVENTION IN 2012. PLEASE SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION AND LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW.

Thank You.

[IndianaGreen]

1. Why not Kokomo?

It has been savaged by globalization, while Fort Wayne is rather conservative.

[LiberalFighter]

2. We are trying to start the process to rotate the convention.

The Third District has already begun the process and made their presentation to make it happen.

As for Fort Wayne being rather conservative. Yes it is in some ways but it has had a Democratic Mayor for 3 terms, the same Democratic City Clerk since 1983, 4 out of 9 Democratic city council members. One of which was elected at-large. Fort Wayne has had 5 Democratic mayors and 5 Republican mayors since 1947. 2 State Representatives and we are expecting to increase that number this year. We are also expecting Tom Hayhurst to win the election for Congress considering the events that have happened in the last few months.

In addition, the Third District has high prospects of helping to increase the State House advantage in the northern part of the district.

What this can do for Fort Wayne is give the area residents a closer look at the Democratic Party and increase their interest to be involved. Which could reduce the impact of the Republican Party in area politics.

As for Kokomo, they need to make a bid and presentation to the state committee. We should all support rotating the convention so that each area of the state can hold it and benefit. The State Party needs to put in place a process to be used that provides the rotation and whether it is by geographic region, congressional districts, or other.

And as for Kokomo being savaged by globalization. All the more reason that Indy should not always hold the convention. Just because Indianapolis has Indiana in its name shouldn't mean that it should be the only one to benefit.

If the congressional district method was used it looks like it could compete in both the 2nd, 4th, and 5th. If north, central, and south was used it appears it could compete in both the north and central for a bid.