[Iowa-dx] Local vs. Statewide

[Richard Johnson]

OK...Iowa is now firmly in the control of the Democrats.  While that may
only be a slight improvement over the previous situation, it is still an
improvement.  As with any long journey, one must start with the first,
small step away from the starting point.  Our starting point was a
corporate dominated government that was out of touch with the common
Iowan and dominated by far too many conservative legislators.  That was
our origin point on the journey.

Where are we now?  We will still have a legislature that is far too
friendly with the corporate interests of this state, and still out of
touch for the most part with the needs of the average citizens of the
state.  However, even if only marginally, it is an improvement, and it
builds a small bit of momentum for future changes.

The question that is now before us is how do we build on that small bit
of momentum.

For the past three election cycles the IAGP has run candidates for the
top of the ticket.  After Ralph Nader's results in the 2000 campaign we
benefitted by having access to the ballot as an official party AND by
having the check-off for our party added to the income tax forms.  I do
not have the figures in front of me, but as I recall the check-off
brought in around $3000 for us (Holly please correct me if I am wrong).=20=
=20

Since then we have seen the following:

2002 - Governor/Lt. Governor: Jay Robinson/Holly Hart - 1.4%
2004 - President/Vice President: David Cobb/Patricia La Marche - 0.076%
2006 - Governor/Lt. Governor: Wendy Barth/Richard Johnson - 0.74%
(Unofficial)

For a variety of reasons we have not been able to repeat the results of
2000, in spite of the hard work and money we have put into our efforts.=20
The best showing of any state-wide candidate under our banner was in
2002, when Brian Depew pulled in 2.18% of the vote.=20=20

I believe it is time for us to re-examine our approach to building the
party in the state.  Specifically I would suggest that we turn our
attention away from the top-of-the-ticket races and focus on putting
candidates into down-the-ballot races.  I know that these races do not
draw the attention that those at the top of the ticket do, but I believe
that we have the people and the infrastructure in a few counties to have
some success with this approach.

Each county will have its own unique situation.  For example, Johnson
County might well not run anyone against Joe Bolcom for several good
reasons.  However they may have good openings on the city council,
county board, conservation board, or community college board of trustees
that would be excellent places to run candidates.  Here in Des Moines
County we have a representative that may be vulnerable, and running
someone from the Green Party might be a good move.  Under this approach
there will be no "one size fits all" solution.  Each county will have to
work as they see fit from their vantage points.

Yes, this will dilute our money, and possibly our strength in some
areas.  However, I believe the chance for success is greater with this
approach.  Success under the state-wide approach has been defined as
getting the 2% needed to obtain ballot status.  Success under the local
approach might well be better defined as winning the seat.  And if our
goal as a party is to see candidates who run under our banner win
elections, it is the local approach that I feel offers the greatest
opportunity for success.

But more importantly for the future of our party, a local approach gives
us an opportunity to connect with and mobilize Greens in our counties.=20
Johnson, Linn, and a handful of other counties are doing a great job (at
least from where I sit) in connecting with their local voters.  However
other counties have a hard time making such connections when there is no
local candidate to drive interest.  They also have a hard time keeping
folks involved if there is nothing locally to hold their interest (refer
to my earlier e-mail for thoughts on this).

We've been doing the big picture for several years now.  We've fielded
good candidates.  We've campaigned well.  We've all worked hard to
support the candidates.  We've made new contacts and tried to hold their
interest.  But in the end has our party shown growth?=20=20

Should we take a breather from the top of the ticket races and focus
during the next cycle on local races, local party-building activites,
and connecting with other progressive groups in our communities?

Rick Johnson

--=20
http://www.fastmail.fm - And now for something completely different=85