To the Drafting Committee: Build a Strong Party

Earlier today I sent the following to the Democratic Party platform drafting committee:

Concerning the platform, I recommend:

1. Make It Binding. Establish in the platform that the Democratic National Committee will only back candidates who support the platform.
2. Keep It Short. Make the platform concise so the general public will more likely read it.
3. Organizing Tool. Commit the Democratic Party to fight for its platform year-round with the following methods:
1. Distribute It Widely. Print, post, and widely distribute the platform throughout the country.
2. Monthly Forums. Encourage Democratic officeholders to hold monthly public meetings with their constituents to dialog about their efforts.
3. Precinct-based Clubs. Encourage local Democratic parties to form self-governing precinct-based clubs committed to nurturing face-to-face community, building the Party, and advancing the platform.

There’s no good reason to forget about the platform after the convention. Americans should know what the Party stands for.

Help build the Democratic Party into a stable, strong, coherent organization with clear goals.

Thank you for your consideration and all that you do.

I will also apply to testify in person at the committee’s Phoenix hearing, where I hope to present these (and perhaps other) ideas.

NOTE: Last week I addressed those issues in the following posts to Wade's Wire:

• “The System” or “The Establishment”?
• Make It Binding?
• Why Forget the Platform?
• Overcoming Despair
• Can We Build a Strong Democratic Party?