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Lani Frank's avatar

I used to be a Pa State Committee member and attempted to run for DNC with a slate of diverse (demographic and geographic) candidates. The party shut that effort down and put up major roadblocks. These DNC members are elected by our state committee members and it has been very frustrating to get them to listen to their constituents or to report back what transpired at a meeting. Decisions made at these meetings determine our party platform and things like whether we support single payer healthcare (Medicare for all) and our environmental policy and labor policy, etc. it matters a lot but is kept pretty secret unless you can go in person to attend these meetings. Progressives have made slight inroads but not enough to impact decisions made in back rooms

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

Understand completely - when I used to attend DNC meetings (with a press pass, not as a party person) it was obvious where the center of power lay. I do wonder if Wikler wins chair if it would make a difference since he's the more left of the candidates. We're starting to see some generational change (like with the House leadership votes where in all cases by Connolly-Cortez, all the younger people won.) And I do remember the year you ran.

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Richard Weingarten's avatar

A lot of good info for those interested in Party organization. I never had the time for DNC membership; it takes a lot of dedication and convenient sources of income. With kids in college, it was a no-no.

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Jessica Weingarten's avatar

During the Obama administration I got to attend a lot of DNC meetings with my press pass - and they were great experiences.

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