COCaucus.org Information about the Colorado Caucus.

2012-03-07T05:59:00.002-07:00

My friend Sue O'Brien wrote in this editorial in 2002 when our wonderful Colorado Caucus, our neighborhood system for nominating candidates to the primary ballot, was in danger of being killed by Amendment 29. Partly because of Sue's and The Denver Post's strong support of the Colorado Caucus, the misguided Amendment 29 was defeated.

Sue's wonderful column is still very much worth reading as a reminder of why the caucus-assembly system is worth preserving, warts and all. I hope someone forwards a copy of this to the Republican National Committee, which is considering whether or not to ban the caucus as a way to pick the delegates who nominate the RNC's Presidential candidate. Here's what Sue wrote in the Denver Post:

Caucuses aren't for ciphers
October 6, 2002
by Sue O'Brien

cipher - a person or thing of no importance or value; nonentity

- New World College Dictionary

So, what will we choose to be: ciphers or individuals?

Ciphers are faceless. They have value only as something to count - a signature on a petition or a vote to tally by machine. It's easy for ciphers to hide out. Hey, they're just part of the mob.

Individuals, by contrast, stand out. They take responsibility. And they rarely hide.

We have a sovereign opportunity to become ciphers this November. One of the few mechanisms left in modern politics that rewards individual initiative - the precinct caucus - is on the brink of being eliminated in favor of a political nominating system that would let wannabe candidates get on the ballot only by collecting - and counting - petition signatures.

It's a lousy proposal put forth by an otherwise admirable organization: the Bighorn Center for Public Policy.

Now, I have nothing against getting on the ballot by petition. But why eliminate the choice - caucus or petition - that our present system provides?

It's not as though there's something inherently wrong with the caucus. And, even though these grassroots conclaves have seen declining attendance in recent years, there's a lot inherently good about them.

Look around modern society. We have a woeful lack of what Harvard scholar Robert Putnam calls "social capital" - the dynamism that comes from doing things together and making community decisions together. Yet the spate of election "reforms" we're seeing these days almost seems designed to stomp out the last vestiges of community collaboration.

"Voting and following politics are relatively undemanding forms of participation," writes Putnam in his influential "Bowling Alone." "In fact, they are not, strictly speaking, forms of social capital at all, because they can be done utterly alone."

We can be utterly alone, too, when we perform the two other actions modern politics seems to want to limit us to: writing checks and watching attack ads on TV. We're systematically replacing "social capital" with plain old monetary capital.

Colorado's traditional caucus-convention system, in contrast, rewards the shoe-leather and diligence. It provides a low-cost way for aspirants to work the neighborhoods, investing energy instead of dollars. Recent proof of this pudding came in the race for the GOP nomination in the 7th Congressional District, where Rick O'Donnell captured first line on the primary ballot with a low-budget campaign that focused on traditional caucus and door-to-door campaigning. O'Donnell eventually lost the primary to the better-funded Bob Beauprez, but his achievement in getting on the ballot was impressive.

But even more important than the caucus' benefits for candidates is its benefit for ordinary citizens. It's a vibrant neighborhood forum for hashing out ideas - the last remaining arena in which you can get on the first rung of the ladder toward political effectiveness by just showing up.

I've covered precinct or town caucuses in Iowa, Maine, Minnesota and Mississippi as well as Colorado. My favorite memory is of escorting a big-deal network analyst to his very first caucus in an American Legion hall in Iowa. This was a political expert well into his 50s, yet he'd never seen a caucus; primaries had always been his beat. He was blown away. For the first time in years of covering politics, he told me, he'd seen the true face of America.

He was right. Caucuses offer a peculiarly intimate view of a community and its people. They'll amaze you with the quality of caring and thought participants bring to the discussion. And sometimes, if you're very lucky, you'll see new, young leaders find their first toehold in the process.

Why is the Colorado caucus withering? First, because the legislature, in an ineffectual grab for national headlines, created a meaningless presidential primary that eliminated the headline race that once inspired much caucus activism.

Second, because we're all getting good at sitting on the sidelines. The Kettering Foundation's David Mathews once reminded readers that the word idiot comes from the Greeks. Privacy, they thought, was akin to stupidity. "Idiots" were incapable of finding their place in the social order.

Why bow to the trend of letting the next guy do it? Why sell out to letting money replace shoe-leather at every level of American politics?

Why not keep the caucus as an open door to involvement, while continuing to provide the petition alternative? Bighorn's goal may be to increase the number of people peripherally involved in the process - but the initiative will never replace the quality of participation the caucus can provide.

Good political talk … is where we recognize the connectedness of things - and our own connectedness. … Good political talk is also where we discover what is common amidst our differences. -David Mathews, "Civic Intelligence"

Sue O'Brien was editor of the Denver Post editorial page.

2012-03-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

Just back from attending Denver District 2 meeting in the cafeteria at Morey Jr. High, then first of breakout for Precinct 206 where I live (10th & Grant on Capitol Hill.) I Tweeted @JohnSWren. I'm registered Unaffiliated, so I only attended tonight to observe and to try and get support for my idea of a monthly neighborhood meeting.

District Captain Micheal told me it was his first time in the role, I thought he did a great job. But it was a tough crowd. Most energetic person was a woman rounding up volunteers for Obama for America phone bank.

Micheal led the Pledge of Allegiance, read the rules, and went through the agenda and the paperwork that needed to be complete.Rick Palacio. Rep Mark Ferrandino and a couple of others gave short talks, and the next District 2 meeting at the end of March was announced. Then everyone was sent to meet with their neighbors.

Only 3 men were in the classroom breakout for our Precinct 206, and they were very open to my idea of holding a monthly neighborhood meeting at Charlie Brown's, social, not political. GOP precinct caucus and new committee person Chris were also open to it, so it should happen. It will be interesting to see what impact it has on attendance for GOP and Dem 206 attendance in two years.

Micheal thought our idea for a monthly non-political, non-partisan was a good idea, and that he might encourage other districts to do the same thing, which would be great.

Even though the attendance was shockingly low, it seemed to me it was a positive experience for everyone who attended. I can hardly wait to see what it's like in 2014.

Love your neighbor!

2012-03-04T15:08:00.003-07:00

Fr. Drew Kirschman, Assistant to the President of Arrupe Jesuit High School gave a talk at Denver's St. Ignatius of Loyola Church today about trust as part of the metro-Denver Jesuit's Lenten Lecture Series which has been reconstituted after a 5 year hiatus.

Trust is a process, it about relationships, and it has to do with expectations. It was a great talk, and lessons that need to be carried into the state-wide Colorado Caucus next Tuesday (March 6). These are free, open meetings, if you are registered as a Democrat and have lived where you are now you can vote, but anyone can attend. I'm suggesting that people "Occupy the Caucus." If you don't know where to go, use the search tool on http://www.coloradodems.org/

2012-02-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

Grassroots Rules (click here) documents the effect of the caucus system for nominating to the primary ballot. Big money and big power hate the system, this book makes clear why.

2012-02-19T06:14:00.002-07:00

A Powerful Tool for Advancing Your Political Agenda

There are many reasons to participate in your neighborhood caucus aside from participating in the selection of your party's candidate for President.

Most important is the selection of delegates who will select local candidates.

Another reason to attend your caucus, one that is almost never discussed in the media, is to put forward resolutions that can be adopted at county, state, and even the national convention for one of the major political parties.

The caucus resolution is sort of a suggestion box on steroids. What the caucus passes is reviewed by the county resolutions committee. Resolutions that have broad support as demonstrated by being adopted by many of the caucuses, or for any other reason that the committee sees as sufficient, are put before the delegates at the county assembly. Those adopted by the counties are then considered by the state resolutions committee, and may be put before the voters at the state assembly. The process is then repeated at the national level. At each level there can be discussion, debate, and promotion of the idea in various ways such at advertising, distribution of fliers to delegates, workshops, etc.

I've never seen this resolution process discussed in-depth in the popular media, just one of the reasons caucus attendance is so low.

Here's an explanation by one special interest group you may find useful: http://archive.fairvote.org/index.php?page=2191

What resolutions do you think will come up in the March 6 Colorado Caucus? (Yes, it will be mostly Democrats that gather since they are the only ones that vote, but by Colorado Law these are open public meetings, and anyone could put forward a resolution.)

Have you ever put forward a resolution? Do you think it made a difference? Your comment here would be very much appreciated. And please forward this along to any of your friends who you know have had experience using this tool to achieve their political purpose.

2012-02-17T03:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was asked what I was advocating beyond caucus attendance, when I ask for response to the Washington Post article about the Republican National Committee considering elimination of the neighborhood caucus in the selection of Presidential delegates in the few states that still use the system. (See my previous post, hope you'll comment as requested in yellow highlight.)

Here is the answer I just sent her:

I just woke with your question on my mind, Andrea,

Seems to me our representative system of self government works best when there is friendly competition between neighbors, both major political parties trying to outdo the other in community building, and from that there is the best chance that everything else will get worked out to the benefit of all.

I just read this, and it sums up what I'm advocating for from my friends in both major parties, as together we all build our community: "There are obstacles in the path of community life, and they have to be fought against. For example, that sort of "gossip" that creates bewilderment and prejudices, that extinguishes trust, that does not "speak well" (bene dicere) about others. Before speaking or criticizing, we must ask ourselves about the basis, the usefulness and worth of our words. All murmuring, all harmful speech must be avoided. We have to insist on what unites us, on the work of our group, on our aims, on mutual trust. ...It is in community that we live united, of one heart and mind." Prior General, Fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica

2012-02-15T22:29:00.002-07:00

Washington Post reports that the caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot is under attack by the Republican National Committee.

Not surprising.

The rich and powerful hate the system. They are who was behind the 2002 Amendment 29 here in Colorado that would have killed it for us.

But this attack can be stopped.

Back in 2002 a few of us banded together and formed Save the Caucus. Despite being outspend 1400 to 1, it was defeated 60% to 40%

You can help NOW. Post a comment here supporting our Colorado Caucus and/or the caucus system in general. Then share this page with your friends and encourage them to come here and do the same thing.

If enough show there support here, maybe we can stop this misguided effort in it's tracks.

Thanks for your help!

John Wren
Publisher, COCaucus.org and Facebook.com/Colorado.Caucus.News
Questions? Call me at (303)861-1447

2012-02-09T11:34:00.001-07:00

Colorado State Bill today mentions me as caucus cheerleader, see link I've just posted on Colorado Caucus News Facebook Page. It right under post of Tina Griego's very interesting recount of her rural caucus experience Tuesday night.

I keep thinking there is no further need of a independent group to support our wonderful Colorado Caucus, the best chance for the common person to serve in elected public office, and then the system is slammed by Colorado State Bill and others. Maybe our work here is not finished.

You may have noticed there are no advertisements here on this site. It's not because I didn't try. Google AdSense just never worked, we missed out on some fairly serious money, I'd guess, we've been getting a couple of thousand hits a day here on COCaucus.com for the last few days.

I'm probably going to fold this site and other activities to promote the Colorado Caucus into the Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc that I'm in the process of organizing. Right now the virtual group is offering to help local chambers of commerce organize startup workshops and low cost/ no cost peer advisory groups for startups and small businesses. We don't plan on taking positions on political issues, we'll leave that up to the local chambers. But the one exception might be the Colorado Caucus, maybe one or two others that will be determined by the board of directors that will be formed in the next few weeks.

Our next big project will be to organize the 2nd Colorado Conference at the Capitol. The first was held 10 years ago, right after the defeat of Amendment 29. It will be sponsored by PioneerHQ.com, the new Colorado Almanac and Small Business Directory.

If you'd be willing to help this effort in any way, or if you'd like more information about what's coming next, please contact me anytime at John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447

John Wren
Publisher, COCaucus.org

2012-02-08T07:33:00.004-07:00

"OK, compiling Tweets just didn't work last night, my computer was way, way too slow. But I'm still going to try and bring together another Colorado Caucus Conference at the Capitol after the elections in November. Would you be willing to share your experience from last night? I'll be asking the same question of the Democrats after their Colorado Caucus in March. If you'd be willing to share send me an email at John@JohnWren.com"

This is the post I just made on our Colorado Caucus News Facebook Page, where I also just posted two VERY interesting articles, one on the effect of social media on last night's outcome, and another from NPR that looks at why putting on a caucus is worth it for the political parties involved.

2012-02-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

We almost lost our wonderful neighbor to neighbor Colorado system for nominating to the primary ballot in 2002 when misguided Amendment 29 got on the ballot by paying petition passers to gather signatures.

The Colorado Caucus is taking place across the state for the 50th time since it was started 100 years ago as part of the Teddy Roosevelt progressive reforms. I believe it is the full flowering of the representative system the founders of our country had in mind.

Tonight Republicans gathered in 3000+ meetings across the state, in March Democrats.

Some complain that only 10 or 20 neighbors represent the 300+ registered voters of their party in their neighborhood. As long as the meetings are fair and open and well publicized, I just don't see this as a problem. Would a jury of 12 be any more fair?

What I know for sure is that the system is a breeding ground for bright new leaders, as is easily seen by any who pays attention. It is the best chance the common person has for serving in elected public office.

And for now our way is safe from those powerful forces that would kill it if they could.

John Wren

2012-02-07T20:30:00.001-07:00

I'm just back from South High School Denver District 2 meeting, I sat with Precinct 206, which is where I live, had a voice, no vote. I Twitted @JohnSWren as events unfolded.

My major impressions: It was very, very orderly. Almost no electioneering. Speakers for candidates seemed to be volunteers putting themselves forward at the last moment, for the most part. No signs or buttons.

I brought up idea of getting together an open neighborhood meeting, the young man elected precinct committee person liked the idea and said he'd call me about it.

Twitter on my computer running very slow, posting highlights not working. I suggest you follow them live at hashtag #COCaucus on http://Twitter.com

I'll post my overall impressions later tonight.

John Wren

Want more Colorado customers? Free listing for your business at http://PioneerHQ.com

2012-02-07T18:22:00.002-07:00

My favorite #COCaucus Tweets:

lynnbartels Here we go caucus! Here we go! Clap clap!

SenatorBrophy The real selection in CO will be April 14th. It might get really interesting at State Assembly

@davidtreece Romney wins at South High School!

2012-02-07T15:36:00.002-07:00

Colorado Republicans just now announced a website dedicated to watch statewide results for the 2012 caucuses. The website www.results.cologop.org is equipped with an interactive map which allows viewers to see caucus results by county and statewide totals. There is also an integrated twitter feed on the site for voters to get real time information about the caucus and the results from the Colorado Republican Party.

Colorado Republican Party Chairman Ryan Call just made the announcement and he said, "Colorado Republicans are aiming to deliver transparent results in real time and our new webpage will help us do just that. Today’s caucus is Colorado’s first step toward victory in November and tools like this webpage will help us build our online presence as we move forward.”

2012-02-07T07:18:00.002-07:00

Do you use Twitter on your smart phone?

Tonight Tweet reports from your caucus using #COCaucus hashtag, highlights will be compiled here. Top posters will be invited to be on a panel to discuss the caucus-assembly process at the post-election Colorado Caucus Conference at the Capitol next November.

Want more customers for your business in Colorado? Get a free listing in the new Colorado Almanac & Small Business Directory PioneerHQ.com (click here.)

Starting a new business? Want a job in the direction of your dream? Attend a free Small Business Chamber startup workshop, see www.SmallBizChamber.org (click here.)

2012-02-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

My friend Dan just asked me for my advice for participating in his GOP neighborhood caucus, his first time to attend. So for Dan and anyone else who is attending for their first caucus, here's my advice.

First, you might read this column I wrote for the Colorado Statesman newspaper (click here.)

Then come back here and read it again after next Tuesday.

Here's the key to success: Show up, listen, and ask questions.

Grassroots politics is a long distance race, and a bit of an acquired taste. Talk by telephone with your precinct committee people in advance. Let them know it's your first time. Ask for his or her advice. How do you find them? Call you're county GOP office, you'll find a link to it on http://www.ColoGOP.org (If there is no one serving, offer to chair the meeting yourself, it's not that difficult.)

Get to your precinct meeting at least a half-hour early next Tuesday, and plan on staying late to talk with people after the meeting. Be willing to take on whatever jobs are offered. You'll learn by doing. When you call your county office, they may ask you to serve as precinct committee person because there is a vacancy. If they do, take the job.

Don't let it overwhelm you, but here is some very good information put together by the Colorado Republicans that should answer most of your questions. http://www.cologop.org/faq/

The first order of business is to elect delegates, see the above link. Hold up your hand and say you'd be willing to go. If you've decided on a candidate in any race, you'll get a chance to speak. Remember, it's ok to go as an uncommitted delegate, then you can make up your mind based on full information just before the vote is taken, I think the parties would be much stronger if more uncommitted delegates were elected.

After reading the GOP website and poking around here on this website, if you still have a question post it here and I'll give you my opinion.

Good luck, Dan, and anyone else reading this. Attending your caucus with your neighbors can be a very rewarding experience. They are all good, in my opinion, but some are much better than others. If you see ways to improve the one you attend, you'll have a chance to make a big difference in it in two years. But good or not so good, you'll always remember your first. Have fun!

Want more customers? Get a free listing for your business in the new Colorado Almanac and Small Business Directory, for more information click on "Free Listing" at http://PioneerHQ.com

2012-02-04T16:51:00.001-07:00

I just had a journalist from South America call me, he wanted to know my thoughts about the Tuesday GOP Caucus, and to tell me he'll be here in Colorado Tuesday to cover it for his paper. Wow.

We are now getting lots of hits on this blog, it's #1 if you Google "Colorado Caucus", and we are getting lots of visitors on the Colorado Caucus News Facebook Page (click here) where we post articles about the Colorado Caucus. If you have Colorado Caucus news that I've missed, email it to me at John@JohnWren.com

Ryan Call, the state chair for the Colorado GOP has done a great job getting word out about the neighborhood caucuses. And I think it has helped the GOP to be going early, while there is still lots of interest in the Presidential race, and to be separate from the Democrats which will be held in March.

It looks to me like Republicans will have a big, big turnout Tuesday. Weather shouldn't be a problem, even if it is I don't expect it will keep those who are interested in attending, the true believers, away.

Tuesday should be interesting!

John Wren
Publisher, COCaucus.org
John@JohnWren.com
(303)861-1447

Want more customers? Get a free listing for your Colorado Business
see PioneerHQ.com, Colorado's new Almanac & Small Business Directory

Colorado Caucus News

2012-02-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

See local and national stories about the Colorado Caucuses, the system for nominating delegates to the national conventions and candidates for local elections. Click here

Are you going to your neighborhood caucus this year?

2012-01-29T09:38:00.001-07:00

Vote in the Facebook poll that just went up. Click on the link (above), then click on your answer to the poll question, make a comment if you want. Just takes a few seconds.

Occupy the Caucus!

2012-01-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

If you are an elected official, party leader, candidate, or just a concerned citizen, you can perform a great public service in the next few days by organizing and leading an information session about our wonderful Colorado Caucus at your local library. You can see sessions like this that have already been announced on our Facebook Page, http://Facebook.com/Colorado-Caucus-News

Here's all you have to do:

1. Make sure you understand the system yourself, review the information on this site.

2. Talk with your local librarian and set a date.

3. Invite the leadership from both major political parties to participate.

4. Send out a media release. This should be done right away. You may want to hand deliver it. If you'd like the information of your release posted on Colorado Caucus News, email a copy to John@JohnWren.com

5. Hold the session and make another media release.

Both political parties hold information sessions like this, but they tend to keep attracting the same people. The objective of an unaffiliated session like this is to reach out to newcomers.

Practice sessions for Colorado Caucus

2012-01-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

We are going to start using the Franklin Circle Beginners Meetings as a forum for distributing information to anyone who would like to become a more active Colorado citizen. Watch for a media release next week, for now, RSVP for our 4 p.m. meeting next Friday.

Watch one, do one, teach one.

2011-12-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

In 2010, if you attended your 1st Colorado neighborhood caucus, you learned a lot. Now apply that knowledge by just saying "yes", become a precinct committee person and apply what you've learned. Then share what you've learned as a precinct as a district, county or state leader. Want help? Post your question here as a comment below. (Thanks to Jossey-Bass for this great illustration.)

2011-11-13T05:03:00.002-07:00

This site is now listed on the Civic Software Index (USA/ Parliamentary monitoring). This is a bit of a misnomer. Of course we have no Parliament. And the purpose of our Colorado caucus-assembly is to select candidates for the primary ballot and to select party leadership. This site is all about civic education, maybe they will create a new category when they read this.

What effect do you think the Internet will make in our (potentially) wonderful Colorado Caucus, the neighborhood gatherings that result in the selection of neighbors to represent our local views at local assemblies where local candidates are nominated, planks for the party platform are selected, and party leadership is chosen.

Did you attend your neighborhood caucus in the past? Are you ready to assume more of a leadership role? We are going to resume the active discussion here that will once again help people have more of a voice in this powerful, grassroots process. Stay tuned! We'll be making a media announcement about or plans for civic education for everyone in the next few days.

2011-11-02T11:09:00.001-06:00

I was just told by the Colorado Secretary of State's office that, as has been well publicized, the GOP caucus date has selected by the party, they have filed documents electing February 7, but that nothing has yet been announced by the Democrats regarding the date of their caucus.

You can be a political insider.

2011-10-29T08:08:00.002-06:00

If you want to help pick the candidates for your favorite major party, from President to all the local offices, the time to get involved is now.

You can be one the insiders by:

1) Pick up the telephone your state or county headquarters. You can find the phone number by Goggling "Republicans" or "Democrats" and your ZIP Code. Ask who your precinct committee people are. If there aren't two, volunteer to be one of them.

2) Go to their house or apartment and offer to help on your block to get the word out about the caucus. If he or she is open to your participation, great. Follow them by helping in any way they ask. If they are closed, plan on finding someone else to run against them in at the next caucus, or plan on running yourself.

3) Look for opportunities to be of service to your political party. Keep holding up your hand and offering to help. Focus on the party rather than a particular candidate right now, but go to an many candidate events as possible. Those who do the most good seem to be those who hold off making a decision about which candidate to support until the neighborhood caucus is held, and even then it is possible to remain uncommitted to a particular candidate until the nominating assembly.

I've done this 3 times, twice as a Republican and once as a Democrat. Each time I ended up getting elected precinct committee person and a delegate to all the nominating assemblies at the county and state levels.

There are other ways to get involved. You can Google your favorite candidate for President and contact their campaign to volunteer for him or her. Another way is to get involved with a political club, just Google Colorado Young Democrats or Colorado College Republicans, for instance.

What has your experience been with getting involved with your local political party? Please post your comments here. If you have experience, what do you recommend to the political newcomer? If you aren't involved yet but would like to be, what is holding you back?

This year I'm registered as an unaffiliated voter with the intention of getting more new people involved in leadership roles in both parties.

I'm actively looking for someone who shares my passion for our wonderful Colorado caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot and our two party system that has served our country so well ever since it was started with the contests between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. If you'd be interested in helping me in this effort (or replacing me so I can get re-involved with one of the parties at the caucus this year), please contact me at John@JohnWren.com or call me at (303)861-1447.

2011-10-08T09:22:00.000-06:00

I wrote yesterday about Occupy Denver on my (now) personal blog www.JohnWren.com

Jimmy Carter said on a recent Charlie Rose show that the spirit of the Tea Party was what made it possible for him to be elected President.

That same spirit of reform is now active in the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street.

Should make the 2012 Colorado Caucuses the most interesting yet on the 100th birthday of the bi-annual event, first held in 1912.