Tonight for the Missouri Democratic Party there were ward and county mass meetings to select delegates to congressional district meetings at the end of this month and the state Democratic Party convention in June. The delegates elected across the state tonight will eventually vote for delegates to the national convention.

The allocations for Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders delegates to the national convention have been made based on the vote in the primary. That distribution will not change over the length of the process. At the congressional district and state party convention levels Hillary and Bernie county level delegates will only vote for those individuals running for national delegates for their respective candidates. However, all state convention delegates will vote for Missouri’s members of the Democratic National Committee. Hold that thought.

Signing in at the county mass meeting – the first step in the Missouri Democratic Party national convention delegate selection process.

In Johnson County registered voters who voted in the primary started showing up at the mass meeting site at around 6:30 p.m. If an individual wanted to participate in the process they needed to be in the door by 7:30 p.m. By that deadline twenty-two individuals eligible to participate showed up and signed in. Twenty-two. Hold that thought.

The allocation of the total number of county level delegates is based on previous general election results in voting for the Democratic Party candidates for president and governor. Johnson County was allocated ten delegates and ten alternates to the congressional district meeting and the state party convention. Do the math. Twenty-two people, and a total of twenty delegate/alternate slots.

Further, the allocation of Hillary and Bernie local delegates from that number is based on the congressional district vote in the primary, with a 15% minimum threshold. For Johnson County that meant six delegates/six alternates for Bernie Sanders and four delegates/four alternates for Hillary Clinton. Democratic Party rules call for a strict distribution of 50% female/50% male delegates at all levels.

In practice, the odds are fairly good that a county alternate will end up being seated as a voting delegate at the congressional district meeting and the state convention. There is always attrition of delegates because of health, travel issues, etc. It’s important that those alternate slots are filled and that the alternates show up at the subsequent congressional district meeting and the state convention.

The Hillary Clinton caucus at the Johnson County Democratic Party mass meeting.

If your revolution is intent on taking over the party you’re going to have to understand the rules in place at the time of your attempted takeover. Also, it helps to show up.

One of those in attendance at the Johnson County mass meeting reported to us that another of their local friends, a supporter of Bernie Sanders, put out a call via social media for Bernie supporters to show up at the Johnson County mass meeting – informing them that if Hillary supporters didn’t show up they could take over those delegate and alternate slots allocated to Hillary. It doesn’t quite work that way. When you show up to the mass meeting you fill out and sign a Form B, pledging your support to one candidate or the other. It may be possible to flip delegate allocations in other states – that’s not exactly the case in Missouri.

Oh, and if you’re going to throw a revolution you need to show up.

Of the twenty-two people eligible to participate in the process in Johnson County this evening fourteen caucused for Hillary Clinton and eight caucused for Bernie Sanders. The Hillary Clinton caucus filled all of its delegate and alternate slots (eight). It was impossible for the Bernie Sanders caucus to fill all of its delegate and alternate slots (twelve).

If this is the state of the Bernie Sanders revolution across the state what do you think the chances are of a takeover of the state party or of flipping Missouri’s representatives on the Democratic National Committee?

I am not impressed.

Previously:

Keep Calm and Carry On – part 2 (March 16, 2016)

Math is hard.

This from CNN:

Dianna Heitz ‏@diannaheitz
The #SuperSaturday totals:
Trump 2
Cruz 2
Sanders 2
Clinton 1
http://cnn.com/election
[….]
9:55 PM – 5 Mar 2016

Here’s the easy math. The vote totals:

State Date Clinton Sanders Spread
Louisiana March 5 221,615 72,240 Clinton +149,375
Nebraska March 5 14,234 18,940 Sanders +4,706
Kansas March 5 12,593 26,450 Sanders +13,857

Across the three states Hillary Clinton received 130,812 more votes. The Democratic Party proportionally allocates delegates with a minimum 15% threshold. The estimated delegate allocation from March 5th:

State Date Delegates Clinton Sanders Delegate Allocation Open/Closed
Louisiana March 5 51 (8) 35 12 Primary Closed
Nebraska March 5 25 (5) 10 14 Caucus Closed
Kansas March 5 33 (4) 10 23 Caucus Closed

[emphasis added]

Hillary Clinton (probably) picked up 55 pledged delegates yesterday. Bernie Sanders probably picked up 49 pledged delegates yesterday.

Do the math. Winning close or winning relatively big in a small population state with a proportionally smaller number of delegates is nice. Winning big in a large population state with a proportionally larger number of delegates is really nice.

Gee, you think all that “complexity” is just too undemocratic? Think again:

[National to date] Clinton Sanders Spread
Total [popular vote to date] 4,180,747 2,659,074 Clinton +1,521,673

[emphasis added]

Go figure, a candidate who gets more votes gets more delegates. Math is not hard, empty fields and empty lots don’t vote.

The Missouri Democratic Party met by congressional district across the state on Thursday evening to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina in early September. Delegates and alternates to the congressional district meetings were selected at county meetings in March. The 4th Congressional District meeting took place in Warsaw with 119 delegates voting to select three female and two male delegates to the national convention.

Delegates and alternates were required to sign in before 7:30 p.m.

with many arriving over an hour before the start of the meeting for a potluck dinner.

Delegates and a representative of the Missouri Democratic Party (center) in conversation before the meeting.

Delegates can campaign for themselves or others seeking one of the coveted congressional district national delegate spots.

Campaigning.

Holmes Osborne, the Democratic Party candidate in the 53rd Legislative District.

Members of the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee (consisting of county chairs and vice chairs

and legislative district chairs and vice chairs) held a brief meeting before the start of the election of national delegates.

Alternates who were selected as voting delegates (as replacements for those delegates who were not able to attend)

are registered as delegates and receive their orange ballot card before the start of balloting.

Candidates for the three female delegate slots (as well as candidates for the two male delegate slots) were given the opportunity to make a one minute speech before the vote.

Counting the ballots cast for female delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Holding up orange delegate cards – waiting to receive ballots to vote

for the male delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Even in on “off year” the local party works to establish the funding and infrastructure for the next election cycle. It’s an opportunity to sustain connections and hear from candidates already working hard toward that next cycle. And it’s a chance to enjoy an afternoon of good company, good food, and fundraising for the cause.

Courtney Cole, Democratic Party candidate in the 121st Legislative District, speaking with Johnson County office holders.

A reminder e-mail sent out to local Democrats:

Festival of Soups — this Sunday, 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Warrensburg Community Center at Gay & Mitchell Streets.

Funds raised will be used for Democratic headquarters in 2010, and to support local candidates.

You won’t want to miss the delicious variety of soups (a dozen in all, from Italian wedding soup to Chinese hot & sour), the assortment of breads and muffins, the yummy desserts (15), or the opportunity to vote for your favorite soup and dessert (or the cook :-). We’ll have background music, good company, and comments by local candidates about 4 pm.

The silent auction features many household decorative items, from framed prints to quilts and political mugs that change from red to blue when heated. Bidding will close about 4 pm, and we’ll announce the buyers after brief political comments.

Doors open at 2:30 (please don’t come early unless you’re helping set up), and close at 5 pm. You are welcome to come late–there’s plenty of food, and the soups will be kept warm….

I had the good fortune to taste a variety of great cuisine and visit with old and new Democratic Party friends. I also spent some money on a couple of items at the silent auction.

A few college Democrats joined the quest for good food and politics.

Other good Democrats from Pettis and Lafayette Counties joined local folks at the event.  

The Johnson County Democratic Club meeting on Thursday evening in the banquet room at a downtown Warrensburg eating establishment.

Over years of Democratic Party activism I’ve always noted a drop off in participation in party organizations after general election cycles – in particular after a presidential election. In the past if one were to bring this phenomenon up in discussion among long time party activists you would get nods of knowing agreement.

This post participation drop off doesn’t appear to be the case now. I’ve observed that people who pitched in as first time volunteers in the Obama and Nixon field operations in our area have continued to be involved in our local Democratic Party institutions. The attendance at meetings is up when compared to the same point after previous election cycles.

The agendas of these meetings contain the usual business elements, like finances, bills, minutes, informational programming, committee reports, but the very important ground work for the next election cycle is also starting up. It’s been a little over three months since the election.

Candidate recruitment (and education, if someone decides they’re going to run) has begun with all due care and speed. Activists and volunteers gained valuable expertise and experience in the last election and they’re eager to test their new found chops for Democratic Party candidates in the coming election cycle.

Our local meetings are now a mix of those with experience (and some longevity as well as institutional memory), newcomers, elected officials, past and potential candidates, political operatives, and the occasional cartoonist…

Oh, hell no.

…Just have to add that what is the point to this? Are they concerned the Missouri Democratic Party is too leftwing, and so concerned that they have to yell out loud, “Those people are unserious leftists, but we are very serious people who people can trust?”?

The 4th Congressional District Committee met at the Pettis County Museum in Sedalia, Missouri this afternoon.

Approximately 30 individuals gathered this afternoon at the Pettis County Museum in Sedalia for a meeting of the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee. Voting membership of the committee includes the Democratic Party county chairs and vice chairs and legislative district chairs and vice chairs within the 4th Congressional District.

The agenda for this meeting included the usual organizational business (minutes and treasurer’s report) as well as a recap of the November 2008 general election from the perspective of those in attendance, planning for an August 2009 fundraising event, and strategic planning for future endeavors.

Six members of the Missouri State Democratic Committee were in attendance, some by virtue of their membership in the congressional committee, others as guests. Each shared their impression of the first state committee meeting after the election.

On the drive to Sedalia we were able to observe a product of past federal government economic stimulus spending:

On the way to Sedalia, along U.S. Highway 50, we spotted $2.5 billion dollars of U.S. government spending – all in one spot.

Your tax dollars at work.

The Missouri Democratic Party State Committee met in Columbia yesterday and elected Craig Hosmer its new chair (don’t fret, this reorganization is done every two years).

Democrats chose Hosmer to lead state party

Former state Rep. Craig Hosmer of Springfield has been named chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party.

The Springfield lawyer and current Greene County Democratic Party chairman will replace John Temporiti, who officially stepped down from the post today at a party reorganization meeting in Columbia.

Hosmer was Gov.-elect Jay Nixon’s top pick for the job after Nixon won Greene County in the Nov. 4 election. Hosmer was Nixon’s campaign treasurer…

[emphasis added]

On Thursday the Missouri Democratic Party issued the following release:

Temporiti Stepping Down As Missouri Democratic Chair Following Historic Election Cycle

Democrats Now Hold 5 of the 6 Statewide Offices, Including Governorship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 04, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti announced today that he is stepping down as party chairman following a historic election cycle that saw Missouri Democrats capture five of the six statewide offices, including the governorship.

Temporiti will hand over the chairmanship at the party’s reorganization meeting this Saturday in Columbia. At that time the Democratic State Committee will select a new chairman in consultation with Gov.-elect Nixon and the other Democratic elected officials to serve for the next election cycle.

“It has been an absolute honor to lead the party at such a historic time,” Temporiti said. “I’m proud of the job the party has done in expanding the electoral map for Missouri Democrats. The advancements we have made over the last couple of years paid dividends in November and will continue to do so for years to come. By stepping down now, it will give the next chairman of the party the entire election cycle to implement a new agenda, and will allow me to stand ready to serve Gov.-elect Nixon’s administration in any way possible.”

Nixon and the other Democratic officials praised Temporiti tenure as chairman and credited his leadership for the Democratic gains in November.

“A key factor in last month’s Democratic victories was the seamless working relationship our campaigns enjoyed with the Missouri Democratic Party,” said Gov.-elect Jay Nixon. “It is a testament to John’s leadership that Democrats have made such positive gains in Missouri. I value his work ethic and friendship and will continue to seek his participation as we work to move Missouri forward.”

Temporiti is an attorney at the St. Louis law firm of Gallop, Johnson and Neuman. He previously served as Chief of Governmental Affairs to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. Temporiti’s executive experience includes positions as President and CEO of both Mayflower Transit and Vanliner Insurance Company. From 1981-1985 Temporiti served as Chief of Staff to St. Louis City Mayor Vince Schoemehl.

# # #

Craig Hosmer ran for the state senate in Greene County in 2002:

Official Election Returns

State of Missouri General Election  – 11/5/2002

Tuesday, November 05, 2002

As announced by the Board of State Canvassers

on Thursday, November 21, 2002

State Senator – District 30 – Summary

Hosmer, Craig DEM 24,419 48.5%

Champion, Norma (Aunt Norma) REP 25,915 51.5%

Total Votes   50,334

Whoa, that was close. In Greene County. In a bad year for Democrats. It’s obvious he knows a thing or two about running for office.

Watching TV the other night, I saw my first ad for a downballot race, for Michael Gibbons for Attorney General. It was a pretty unremarkable ad (never good news for an advertiser) but one thing stood out precisely because of its absence – Gibbons didn’t mention his party identification. I went to Mike’s website this morning to see if I could watch the ad again and find that I was mistaken, and sure enough, there is no mention of the Republican Party. Neither is there much mention of the Republican Party on his website. In fact, I had to resort to a Google search to find any, and they were all in the “Newsroom” section.

Why not? Chris Koster announces at the very top of the website that he’s a Democrat – why won’t Gibbons? The Republican Party holds the legislature and the Governor’s Mansion, and their own candidates won’t even say what party they belong to?