By Ben Tribbett,
Virginia is one of a small number of states where political parties have the power to cancel primaries and instead hold conventions to select their nominees for office. This decision is usually made the year in advance of an election. Which means this September will be when the vote is held on whether Virginia Democrats will have a primary or a convention in 2013.
Virginia is one of a small number of states where political parties have the power to cancel primaries and instead hold conventions to select their nominees for office. This decision is usually made the year in advance of an election. Which means this September will be when the vote is held on whether Virginia Democrats will have a primary or a convention in 2013.
There is a large contingent in the Democratic Party of Virginia who are already campaigning to cancel our primary and have a convention.
You might be wondering- what does this have to do with a candidate for the DNC? Good question! Virginia's DNC members sit on the Steering Committee of the State Party and have one of the few votes that will be cast on the method of nomination that will be brought to a final vote at the State Central Committee. In other words- this DNC election may decide what type of nomination we have.
Right now, I am the only DNC candidate who has pledged to support a primary in 2013. In fact, I am a supporter of primaries in every statewide election and will always vote to have a primary to select our statewide candidates.
Here's why I will vote for a primary.
1) Primaries bring out much bigger electorates than conventions.
2) Poor and working class voters don't have the resources to go to whatever area in the state we decide to hold the convention in and participate.
3) Anyone who works a job on the weekends won't be able to participate.
4) Virginians stationed overseas in the military or state department won't be able to participate.
1) Primaries bring out much bigger electorates than conventions.
2) Poor and working class voters don't have the resources to go to whatever area in the state we decide to hold the convention in and participate.
3) Anyone who works a job on the weekends won't be able to participate.
4) Virginians stationed overseas in the military or state department won't be able to participate.
The choice here is very clear. Are we going to limit participation and exclude key parts of the Democratic base- or are we going to hold an inclusive primary that is accessible to all Democrats?
Help me win on June 2nd and I will fight for your right to a primary every time.
Help me win on June 2nd and I will fight for your right to a primary every time.
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