I will never forget the first time I ran for public office (a very minor office, Assistant Judge in Rutland County, Vermont in 1975).  I won.  I was feeling pretty good until the next day when I called many voters, making believe I was taking a survey.  Many of these people had probably voted for me, but had no recollection.  Some could not even remember who they voted for US Senator, and other high profile offices!

I was taken down, many notches.  The peoples’ choice?  Hardly.

Recently, a potential candidate came to me to ask for my support before he announced his candidacy.  Another progressive candidate was planning on running, and I suggested that she and he get together so as not to split the progressive vote.  He declined the invitation. 

This reminds me how little influence our political parties have.  They can not influence individuals who want to run in the primary.  It’s each man or woman on his own.  There is little organizational force to develop candidates who might have a good chance of winning.  In this case, this candidate narrowly lost the primary, mostly, I think, because of the negative feelings many voters had about his “leaking” some emails about a principal and a teacher who were having an affair.  If the party had been stronger, they might have discouraged him from running.  But all one needs now, is 150 valid signatures and your name is on the primary ballot.    This leaves little room for the party to play much of a a role in choosing candidates.