Thursday, April 20, 2006
Power Party Turnout for Conventions Anemic
The Northwest Herald covered both the Republican and Democratic Party conventions in Woodstock last night.
What struck me was the poor attendance at both conventions.
Maybe that was because the outcomes were foreordained. Neither incumbent Republican Party chairman Bill LeFew nor aspiring Democratic Party chairman Pat Ouimet had challengers.
Nevertheless, McHenry County does have 200 precincts.
The Herald reports “more than 100” Republicans showed up,”while there were “about 50” at the Democratic Party convention.
So, a little more than 50% of the precincts have Republican precinct committeemen active enough to show up at the biggest party meeting of the two-year cycle, while the Democrats mustered about 25%.
If that does not signify anemia in the power party arena, I can’t imagine what would.
Yesterday, I noted the phone numbers party activists might call if they wanted to be appointed a precinct committeeman. Here they are again
What struck me was the poor attendance at both conventions.
Maybe that was because the outcomes were foreordained. Neither incumbent Republican Party chairman Bill LeFew nor aspiring Democratic Party chairman Pat Ouimet had challengers.
Nevertheless, McHenry County does have 200 precincts.
The Herald reports “more than 100” Republicans showed up,”while there were “about 50” at the Democratic Party convention.
So, a little more than 50% of the precincts have Republican precinct committeemen active enough to show up at the biggest party meeting of the two-year cycle, while the Democrats mustered about 25%.
If that does not signify anemia in the power party arena, I can’t imagine what would.
Yesterday, I noted the phone numbers party activists might call if they wanted to be appointed a precinct committeeman. Here they are again
Democrats – 815-334-9500An indication of voter, as well as political activist, dissatisfaction is noted by political analyst Russ Stewart. He writes about the “underwhelming turnout” in the primary elections. He also suggests that Judy Topinka may win. His analysis is well worth reading.
Republicans – 815- 344-4559
