Much has been made in recent weeks about the autopsy the Republican Party has conducted in the wake of two devastating national elections. This introspection is unprecedented and overdue. Although the Democratic Party’s has fared better in the last couple of cycles, I’d suggest a measure of introspection is in order for us as well.
Though a lifelong Democrat from a family of lifelong Democrats, I’ve only recently jumped headfirst into the inner workings of the Democratic party as an elected member of our county’s Central Committee. Shortly after being sworn in, I was appointed to serve as a delegate to the annual state convention. It was at a training for the upcoming convention that I first observed what is expected of a “good Democrat.”
The friendly, genteel Regional Director I had just met was offering pointers to the group on how to navigate the convention. We were instructed to bring plenty of business cards for networking. We were then advised that we better plan on using a union shop when getting our cards printed. The next comment took me somewhat aback. The R.D. said, “when someone hands me a card, the first thing I do is look for the union ‘bug’, if I don’t see one on there, the card goes straight in the trash.” Another union representative also stood up and reenforced the notion that to get along and make connections at the convention, you better stay at a union hotel and order business cards from a union printer.
