Impartiality of Tenth Dems a Primary Concern
by Paul Kelly
Tenth Dems Communications Director
Since 2004, Tenth Dems has been working to spark change through a grassroots effort. In that time, it has brought thousands of people into the political process by providing them the means to get involved—by holding rallies, getting news and information out to voters, or conducting Tenth Dems University classes.
And as has been the practice of the organization, Tenth Dems is not making an endorsement in the Democratic primary race for the 10th Congressional District in 2012.
“We take the position that we prefer a primary in this race,” said Lauren Beth Gash, Chair of Tenth Dems. “Primaries can serve to sharpen the campaign messages, develop effective organizations, and allow the candidates the opportunity to talk with voters. Each of the candidates who is vying for the nomination is terrific and would be an improvement over the incumbent.”
The concept of the direct primary—with ballots that are distributed and regulated by the states—is a progressive idea. Expanding democracy was part of the progressive push to achieve the goal of good government. Starting in the early to middle part of the 20th century, voters were given the opportunity to decide who to put on the general election ballot rather than have political operatives in “smoke-filled rooms” deciding the nominees. In fact, the term “smoke-filled room” came from the nomination of a Republican who is widely considered to be one of the worst presidents in history. While he was a bumbling and ineffective leader, members of his administration by and large gave away huge amounts of the country’s petroleum reserve to Big Oil, profiting themselves in the process. While you might have had another name in mind, that president was Warren G. Harding.
Of course, primaries result in tough, spirited debates. At the end of the day, at the end of the primary election, however, Democrats share the same values.
In the same way that spirited people staff campaigns, passionate volunteers are the lifeblood of Tenth Dems. For many years, for many campaigns, Tenth Dems volunteers have worked to staff speaker events, connect with constituents through our newsletter and other outreach channels, administer office support, mobilize neighborhood canvassing, register voters, and work get-out-the-vote phone banks.
Many of our volunteers are also active participants in the various campaigns for the candidates of their choosing. Tenth Dems is a volunteer-run, grassroots organization, and we need energetic people to fulfill our mission. It is important to note that since the beginning of the group, our volunteers have been able to serve in campaign roles while also working on activities that help all Democrats. And since the beginning, after the primary is over, participants from competing campaigns have come together to work on getting Democrats elected in the general election.
Coming together to help Democrats is our purpose. Our mission statement reads: “Tenth Dems is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to electing Democrats at all levels of government in the 10th Congressional District in the state of Illinois. That includes the local, state, and national levels of government.”
As a keynote speaker at our annual meeting in 2009, Gov. Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said: “Tenth Dems is one of the most impressive grassroots groups I’ve seen anywhere in the country.”
