Jobs for the Sickly

Democrats gather this weekend to elect their new convention delegates. For both parties, the honor of delegate status normally attracts sallow depressives who enjoy debating meaningless bylaws more than, say, interacting with human beings. In politically manic places such as San Francisco, people actually campaign and spend money to get the awful job.

But this year, Democratic progressives are attempting to make inroads by beating out establishment types who are running. The progressives include a bunch of bloggers - lordy, help us - such as David Dayen from the Santa Monica area, who writes about the "first campaign speech of my life."

"There are only two figures statewide who have had nothing but good things to say about the governor's (health care) proposal. They are Don Perata, Democratic leader in the Senate, and Fabian Nuñez, Democratic leader in the Assembly. It's a curious way to negotiate.

"That's because the state party and its top officials are primarily interested in maintaining the status quo. They have incumbency protection through redistricting, are slathered with special interest money by being in the majority, and have no desire to upset that apple cart. This is EXACTLY why membership in the CDP is slipping. They work around the margins and do generally a decent job, but they have no leadership on the big issues, and no connection to the grassroots progressive movement that attracts ordinary citizens and lets them know that the Democratic Party is working in their interests."

Don't expect a revolution or a leftward shift for the party. The establishment is too organized to let that happen. In Sacramento by the way, Democrats are gathering in the state Capitol for their district vote. Partisan political meetings in the Capitol?! But the rules allow such meetings, as long as Republicans and other parties can hold meetings there too.

UPDATE: Dday thinks I'm a bit cynical. OK, maybe a tad. But only about the dying party system!

(Photo: Scott Martin / AP)