PRESS RELEASE from the Democratic
National Committee
For Immediate Release
June 27, 2009
Contact: Caroline Ciccone
DNC HOLDS FIRST
DEMOCRATIC CHANGE COMMISSION MEETING
Commission Is
Tasked With Improving the Presidential Nominating and Delegate Selection
Process
Washington, DC—Today, the Democratic National Committee’s Democratic
Change Commission held its first meeting at the Capital Hilton in
Washington, DC. Headed by Commission co-chairs Congressman James
E. Clyburn and Senator Claire McCaskill, the Commission was established
by President Obama and the DNC to reexamine and improve the Democratic
Party’s presidential nominating and delegate selection process.
DNC Chairman Tim Kaine kicked off the meeting, and Congressman Clyburn
and Senator McCaskill also delivered remarks.
Chairman Kaine said, “I want to thank all the members of the Commission
and the co-chairs, Congressman Clyburn and Senator McCaskill, for their
service to the Party and the country. We are tasked with
improving the presidential nominating and delegate selection process
and doing what’s best for the Democratic Party. At the same
time, we are working with the GOP in a bipartisan manner on these
issues. The primary system, while administered by the parties, is not a
Democratic or Republican process, it’s an American process that leads
to the election of the leader of our country. I’m confident that
in the coming months this Commission will succeed in its mission and
improve and bring more people to our process."
Congressman Clyburn said, “Without a study such as this, we cannot be
certain that we are doing everything possible to ensure that our
nominating process is as fair and inclusive as it can possibly
be. I want to thank Governor Kaine, Senator McCaskill, and the
Commission members for making this Commission a priority. The
diversity of the Democratic Party is one of our most important assets
and it is vital that we have a nominating process that encourages the
participation of all Democrats.”
Senator McCaskill said, “This is a diverse Commission with varied
experience and a common goal of strengthening our nation and our
Democracy. As a Commission, we are tasked with helping to ensure that
the Presidential nominating process continues to be a fair process that
will energize and activate as many voters as possible. Thank you
to all the Commission members for serving, to Governor Kaine for this
opportunity, and to Congressman Clyburn for his dedication during this
process.”
Commission members heard presentations on the following topics at
today’s meeting: The History of Modern Day Democratic Presidential
Nominations (1976-2008) by Rhodes Cook: Rhodes Cook Letter;
Presentation on Unpledged Delegates by Dr. Elaine Kamarck: Kennedy
School of Government, Harvard University; Interests and Goals of the
Party, Presidential Candidates & Voters by Dr. Melanie Springer:
Washington University in St. Louis; Overview of Change Commission
Issues by DNC Office of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection Staff; and
a Presentation on Caucus Systems by Mitch Stewart: Director, Organizing
for America.
At the meeting, the Commission also announced the dates of its next
three meetings: August 28-29, October 23-24, and December 4-5.
The locations of the meetings will be announced at a later time.
The Democratic Change Commission is tasked with examining the following
things: 1. shifting the window of time during which primaries and
caucuses may be held 2. reducing the number of unpledged delegates 3.
improving the caucus system. The DNC is also looking forward to
working closely with the Republican National Committee on a common
approach that puts voters first.
For more information on the Change Commission visit the website at:
http://www.democrats.org/page/content/changecommission
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