Party Politics

The parking lot of the middle school was packed. I found a spot around in the back after moving some pallets to clear a space. It was the meeting of the Bucks County Democratic Committee which was to vote on whether or not to endorse a candidate for congress from the 1st district and other offices. I was there as an advisor to Rachel Reddick, one of three first time candidates running for the nomination. There were tables set up in the hallway by the candidates recruiting people to work on their campaigns. Rachel still wasn’t told if the candidates would be permitted to address the committee members before they voted.

Everyone filed into the auditorium and the meeting was called to order by Party Chairman John Cordisco. He said there were 302 members present out of the 440 eligible to vote. So, they had a quorum. It didn’t start off well, because the microphone wasn’t working. The first candidate to speak was running for Lieutenant Governor. She tried to speak loudly, but there were calls of “Can’t hear you!” and “Can’t afford a mic?” She moved up into about the third row and made her pitch. There was suddenly a high pitched blast of feedback, and the microphone started working. The two other candidates for Lieutenant Governor addressed the committee. Traditionally, the party doesn’t hold endorsement votes for this office. I’m not sure why.

It was then announced that the three congressional candidates would get three minutes to address the committee. Rachel was prepared and went first. She offered hope and change. She talked about how the struggles of middle class voters were her struggles. She reminded the committee that she would be the first woman in the all male state congressional delegation, and how her “fresh, young, new voice would get millenials excited.” Scott Wallace, the wealthy politically connected candidate, went next. He reminded the committee that his grandfather was one of FDR’s Vice Presidents. He wouldn’t take pac money, and he would personally match every campaign contribution with his own money. Steve Bacher went last and talked about the need for the social safety net.

Then came the vote.  A candidate needed 60 % to get the endorsement. It would be done by committee members standing and showing their wrist bans which indicated they were eligible to vote. There were people who walked up the aisles to count the votes in the three sections of the auditorium. The first vote was for no endorsement, meaning an open primary, showing no preference for voters to follow. Then there were the votes for the candidates. Wallace won the endorsement with 196 votes.

The candidates have been very cordial to each other, and focused their attacks on Trump and their likely Republican opponent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Chairman Cordisco even warned the candidates not to bad mouth each other. So, what was accomplished on that Saturday morning in the school auditorium? Will this influence people to follow the lead of the committee and vote for Wallace? Some might, but some studies show that endorsements don’t change people’s minds. People want to see and hear the candidates for themselves, and make up their own minds. I’ve made my choice. Elections have consequences.  It was never more obvious than what happened in 2016. It’s our responsibility as citizens to make our decisions about what kind of leaders and what kind of country we want.