Political activists from both parties could agree about one thing at a University of Denver workshop Saturday – being a delegate at a presidential nominating convention is no more than an honorary position.
“Do not go to a national convention thinking your vote is going to make a penny’s worth of difference,” said Carolyn Metz, a Denver County Republican.
“We all know the presidential candidate is already decided by convention time,” she said.
Still, 75 women attended Saturday’s “Delegate University” at DU, where groups like the nonpartisan White House Project and the Latina Initiative were trying to get more women into politics.
“We want all of you to run for office, and this is a pipeline through that process,” said Faith Winter of the White House Project.
The purpose of seeking a delegate seat is not to cast a vote, but to practice campaigning and networking, Winter said.
With less than a year before Denver hosts the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Metz and Adrienne Benavidez, a Denver County Democrat, coached the women on the process.
The seminar, sponsored by The White House Project and the Latina Initiative, was the first of its kind for either organization.
While political zeal was high, when the women realized how much work was involved, some expressed doubts.
“When I first decided I wanted to be a delegate, I really had to explain to my husband why,” said Jill Liguan. “After hearing the process I have to go through just to have my vote not count, I’m wondering why myself.”
Metz and Benavidez said hopefuls needed to treat delegation selection as a campaign and begin now.
Delegation candidates in the Democratic Party must win enough votes from fellow party members at the precinct and county levels to be considered for either the congressional district or state conventions that name national delegates.
There are 70 delegates allocated by the Democratic Party to Colorado for 2008,and 15 are set aside for elected officials such as senators and the governor. Presidential candidate preference and ethnic and racial background play a factor in selection as well, Benavidez said.
The Republican Party allocated 46 delegates to Colorado. Delegates are selected based on who gets the most votes, Metz said.
“Everyone needs to ask themselves,” said Michelle Campbell, one attendee, “‘Do I want to be a delegate because I care about the issues, or because I want to go to a party?”‘
Cassie Hewlings: 303-954-1638 or chewlings@denverpost.com
