So what reforms do we want at the DNC?

[RandySF]

We talk about refining the party but I've seen few concrete suggestions. So what exactly do we want? I'll start with broader participation in selecting DNC members and ra requirement that Chair must be a full time effort. Your turn.

[pangaia]

1. Real Democrats running for local, state and national elections...

(No reflection on our recent candidate(s).)

[TwilightZone]

23. Define "real Democrats"

I agree that we need to start from the local level and work from there. We need a better understanding of local politics, what works, and what doesn't and then act accordingly.

We also need to understand that politics is a spectrum and that not every Democrat can or should be pigeon-holed into our narrow vision of what constitutes one. Democrats that win in the west and the northeast aren't going to play in states that are on the red side of purple. It's just a political reality. Assuming that one size fits all is misguided, at best, and a losing proposition.

[pangaia]

24. those who--

- believe in science
- are pro-choice
- support ALL minority rights
- are anti-war
- understand the balance between capitalism and socialism
- for separation of church and state
- for freedom of the press
- support free speech
- support gun control
- care about human beings
- are willing to speak out and tell the truth
- are in it NOT for themselves but for the betterment, and protection of all human beings and the planet

I could go on and on....

[TwilightZone]

30. You essentially made my point.

If that's your list and you're not willing to consider anyone who doesn't fit them all, you're going to end up with a mighty short list, particularly in more conservative areas of the country.

Many of them are vague and open to interpretation, which was basically my point. Everyone has a different, personal definition of whom they believe should be representing them and of the various issues that are important to them.

Even some of the more seemingly concrete ones - support gun control, for example - are widely open to personal interpretation and beliefs.

If a politician believes that gun control largely shouldn't be a federal issue, but should instead be left up to individual states because of variations in local attitudes, does that disqualify that person? Some may think so. Some may not. A lot of people support gun control, in a general sense. What they actually want to do about it varies wildly.

We often talk about how we Democrats need a better message. I don't think limiting ourselves to only those who fit our own personal vision of what a Democrat should be will get us anywhere. Frankly, it's a factor in why we're here in the first place.

[Javaman]

31. I agree with all those things

but if the dems don't connect with the working class and convey to them that not everyone needs to go to college to get a job to support their families, we are dead as a party.

that was once the basic message of the Democratic party and that seems to have been completely lost on the DNC.

[elleng]

2. New leadership.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. Keith Ellison!

[elleng]

8. I like him but

had hoped Governor O'Malley would get the position. He's a great organizer, and for him it would be a full time job, which I think it is.

I also want to see EVERY leadership-type position there changed. Too damn many mistakes made recently, and too much ass-kissing.

[Raster]

10. I would also like to see a full-time DNC Chair...

...someone able to devote every bit of their time to the Party and pulling us out of this mess.

[Raster]

3. An absolutely level and even-handed Primary process...

...fair and equitable opportunity for all candidates. ABSOLUTELY NO INTERFERENCE FROM DNC FOR THEIR PREFERENTIAL CANDIDATES.

[demmiblue]

9. Plus 1. I think we would be in a very different place right now...

if those parameters were followed.

[elleng]

12. Sure as hell would be.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. For how long? Let's say a candidate is not viable

In march but does not drop till September, should the DNC remain neutral till September?

[Raster]

19. It would depend upon what was openly and evenly agreed upon in advance...

...no closed door decisions. No under the table arrangements. If a neutral stance were to be ended, it would need to be understood by all parties up-front and in advance.

The Goal: To get our candidates elected and to make sure those candidates adhere to our agreed upon party principles.

Our secondary goal is to make sure that each and every eligible voter is given the opportunity to cast their ballot fairly and that equal protection of voting rights is extended to every citizen, no limited to income, color, creed, location OR party affiliation.

We should go out of our way to make sure EVERYTHING WE DO IS TRANSPARENT.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. so you are ok with republicans voting in democratic primaries?

[Raster]

22. Not on the face of it. There is a fine line between welcoming...

...and opening oneself up to possible manipulation and subterfuge. That's a line we need to identify and learn to navigate.

The voting bloc that elects the POTUS is a fluid, changing, flowing bloc of voters. We want to be able to welcome those voters who truly want to get candidates that espouse our values elected.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

27. that line is usual party registration. else what would you use? a test?

[Raster]

32. No test, probably a registration-type of vehicle...

...Again, the goal is to be as welcoming as possible, WITHOUT allowing rethuglican tricksters to subvert the process.

And again, the bloc of voters NEEDED TO ELECT THE POTUS is different from the bloc needed to nominate the candidate.

Right off the top, do I know what exactly is or isn't going to work? No, I don't.

But I do know I want to bring new blood into the party, new ideas, new voters, new ways of thinking. And at the same time, I want to FIRMLY reiterate our commitment to be the party of: (1) justice for all; (2) equality for all; (3) the party that welcomes and values diversity; and (4) the party that is self-aware enough to invite introspection, self-examination and invites challenging the status quo.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

33. again, we have that system, its called party registration

you should be a registered D voter to vote in our primaries. we can move the day up to where you can register, but just so you know these actions happen at state levels not at DNC

[alarimer]

17. That is the most important thing.

Too often (in local races) they have thrown their support behind someone with connections (often a DINO) rather than a true progressive or someone who would be more likely to win. Or ignored these races altogether. I mean, why should Rubio have been reelected? He's a no-show most of the time and a complete lightweight.

I've never forgiven the support they gave to Lieberman over Lamont.

[Auggie]

4. Update the rhetoric

Its always been too abstract and generic IMO. That's what was so refreshing about Bernie.

And some fresh faces to deliver that message.

[world wide wally]

5. Get Comey fired

[OhioBlue]

6. We need to have the right message, repeat it, elevate it and campaign everywhere

1. We need a 50 State Strategy
2. We need to elevate FDRs "Economic Bill of Rights" and message around it
3. Do the above without losing any of our current platform - we should always be the party of inclusion, the party that fights for all people.

The right has been winning on messaging for years. We need to do better from framing the issues to winning the sound bytes to media exposure.

[alarimer]

18. I concur with this.

You can fight against economic inequality without sacrificing inclusion.

[Tatiana]

11. A non-Wall St. affiliated Chair.

- a return to the 50-state strategy started by Dean, with an emphasis on building up local parties and grooming Democrats to run in local races.
- the Democratic version of a "Contract for America." Maybe a Democratic Pledge for Prosperity or some memorable title.
- mentoring younger Democrats for leadership at the national party level.
- a coordinated media and messaging strategy that puts the Democratic vision for prosperity in most American homes.
- closed party elections combined with the elimination of superdelegates.
- town halls across the country articulating the Democratic vision and the cultivation of vigorous debate within the party.

[RandySF]

13. More money spent on municipal elections.

[Gothmog]

14. Elimination of caucuses and the use of closed primaries

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. Def elimination of caucuses

[Raster]

21. Fine, but we need to make sure we are as accessible as possible...

...we want to be the welcoming, big tent party. We want to encourage participation, particularly among new voters: minorities (including women) and youth.

[TuslaUltra]

25. no more caucuses.

only primaries. Also, openness to dissent on certain cultural issues.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

29. which issues are cultural?

[TuslaUltra]

26. also, no more Pelosi

and more Tim Ryans!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

28. pelosi is not running for DNC and there is no comparison between her and Tim Ryan. nt

[lunamagica]

34. Only Democrats can run for office. They must be members of the party for at least five years

No more caucases

[Dems to Win]

35. DNC needs to FIGHT for Democratic voters

In every state, DNC needs to fight for adequate polling places, fight for accurate voter rolls, send probono lawyers into communities to help people get the needed ID for voting, and FIGHT for hand counted paper ballots.

Also, Democrats need to respect the voters in every pocket of America by putting up a candidate for every ballot line, every time. Put up a candidate who listens to local concerns and asks for the votes of people. We can't have any upset victories if we don't even try.

[PatsFan87]

36. Ideas from a millennial:

- Open primaries in every state so independents can have a say (we'd be stupid to discourage this if we want their votes in the general)

- Same day registration/allowing people to switch parties for primaries in every state. It's ludicrous requiring people register in some states months before if they have discovered a candidate they like more recently. And if someone is a moderate Republican and they hate the choices in their party, they should be able to vote for a candidate who they like in ours.

- Recruiting better candidates. Less lawyers/politicians and more teachers, laborers, veterans, firefighters, police officers, leaders of nonprofits. More younger candidates as well. If you expect to get millennial votes, we want people representing us in Congress. We also need better "messengers".

- Know an area and find a candidate accordingly. Choosing stiff, standard, establishment candidates in some of these rural, depressed areas where people hate the establishment is not going to work.

- Focus more on the grassroots

- Don't put debates on weekends, times right before and after holidays, when other large sporting events are happening.

[Dems to Win]

37. DNC / Democratic Party needs to welcome all Americans, Including whites

Statements like this from Democratic leaders, while well-intentioned, don't help white Americans feel welcome in the Democratic Party:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/304589-granholm-dnc-doesnt-need-57-year-old-white-woman-at-helm

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Sunday the Democratic National Committee needs a leader who represents "rising America," suggesting the committee appoint a minority to the position.

"I think that the DNC needs to have leadership that reflects this rising America and you know, a 57-year-old white woman may not be the person," she told MSNBC's Hallie Jackson.

As a 55 year old white American woman, I hear this and wonder if there is any place at all for me in the Democratic Party's vision of America.