Reply #16: seems the "smoke-filled backrooms" of yesteryear have been supplanted

[cosmicdot]

It's obviously not the all-white-male machine-type good-ol'boy situations which existed in the form of Virginia Harry F. 'control everything from the courthouse to the state house' Byrd or the Mayor Daley type arrangements ... but, it seems that whatever rule changes the Party put in place c. 1968 - 1972 (which helped Jimmy Carter propel past the 'insider' power elite), either aren't been used or have gone by the wayside.

It seems many of those 'involved' on local-state levels have the ability to pay the $250 and up per plate functions which occur throughout a year.

Our politicians are, for the most part, wealthy; and, that attracts those who like to hob-nob with the rich and the trappings of influence and power.

Corporatism has shaped local politics, as well, as local and state government politicians have schmoozed with the corporate elite in selling the community for doing business.

The behavior of the Al Froms and Vernon Jordans involve vestiges of the backroom politicians.

I'd say it's a good ol'boy network ... but, it's a bit more open, and 'tokening' diverse. It's a corporate-monied interest thing, and it has spilled over into the party infrastructure.

Of course, variations exist depending on the jurisdiction and/or geographical area.

There must be a good ol'boy network, say, in Arkansas - that's one which gets more publicity.

The Republicans are just too obvious, but that's their problem.