Exclusion -vs- Inclusion

In Sue Jeffers' press release announcing her intention to challenge Gov. Pawlenty in the primary, there is some interesting tidbits related to how the exclusionary party ran their convention.

Turns out she WAS able to get a hold of delegate lists, just not through normal channels:

The Committee's questioning of Sue Jeffers also focused on where she had obtained access to the Republican delegates' list. "You mean the four copies I've received?" Jeffers asked the stunned committee. Jeffers refused to name names.

They then call her 'unqualified:

In the end, the committee decided (not unexpectedly) not to find Jeffers, "qualified." Qualified is a new language twist in the convention endorsement rules this year.

Jeffers still maintains she is a qualified candidate, first and foremost by being a citizen of Minnesota. "Our Founding Fathers had a vision of a citizen-legislature - ordinary folks doing our civic duty and then stepping aside. Public service is not something only for the rich, well connected or an incumbent who has strayed from conservative principles," Jeffers said.

And then there was the shenanigans on the floor:

A group of delegates, sympathetic to Jeffers' right to speak at the convention were determined to strike certain new language from the convention rules, which forbids nominations from the floor. A dozen of them were prepared to make motions and offer discussion on the rules, but never had the opportunity to address the chair on the issue. Procedural tricks were used to prevent the issue being raised.

Many delegates expressed confusion, and then anger at the process. "They really rammed that though," said Dave Shegstad, a delegate who ran for Minneapolis City Council last year. "This isn't the way it's supposed to be. Why are they so afraid to hear another voice?" he mused.

Flawed procedures:

without a motion to endorse for governor being made, seconded, discussed or voted on, a co-chair approached the podium to call for a vote. While Pawlenty's speech was being applauded, the co-chair said, "Seeing that there is only one candidate, all in favor of endorsing Tim Pawlenty say aye." Applause continued, but many delegates remained seated and silent.

And all this took place when there appears there wasn't enough people to conduct official business:

Attendance was very low for the convention. Some out-state delegates said the cost was prohibitive. Others cited a lackluster agenda and no competition without Jeffers speaking. At one point it was questioned whether a quorum was present and on Friday, there was doubt enough delegates were present to achieve the 60% threshold required for an endorsement.

No vote, questionable quorum, and making things up as they went along. And this is the party that is in power, that wants to run the state for another 4 years when they can't even run their own convention.

Don't worry, in a few days we'll get another extreme, and MDE and other interested Right Wing bloggers will be there if they choose. See, the DFL is welcoming all to the Party, regardless of the affiliation, because that is how democracy is suppose to work.

Flash