The Occupy Convention in summer of 2012

[Hygro]

Some of you may remember the call for an Occupy Convention with two delegates, one male one female, from each congressional district to represent the movement and vote on their platform, policy, and endorse candidates.

A number of us joked about running, and a number of us joked about running with a hint of being serious.

I've been thinking about what it would mean to mount such a campaign. I'd be curious to hear your opinions.

Here's some things to start us off. Feel free to argue:

• The occupy movement is so grass-roots that its magma. This means every local election, if every district even puts one together, is going to be different and designed according to the local movement.
• This means you might not only have to run, but to help create the election itself
• In theory anyone can vote, so while convincing occupiers to elect you is important, convincing anyone to show up and vote is probably more important. If you can mobilize a few hundred outside people--especially if it's a caucus--to supplement, you probably will win.
• Voting might be centralized and online. This requires different strategies than organizing people to show in person.
• This is a campaign that will favor the passionate and the positive. Think Obama 2008.
• Because of its young nature, this will definitely be a web 2.0 effort. However the mistake one's opponents will make is forgetting the handshaking, baby-kissing, eye contact part of campaigning.
• Organized labor will kick some people's asses in some districts. Court that vote early?

CFCitizens currently contemplating running, and their district:

• Hygro, California 9th
• Downtown, ??
• Integral, ?? or Economic Adviser to other candidate
• Cheezy the Whiz, ??

 

[downtown]

I may actually seriously look at running. It'll depend a little more on what the rules are of the election though.

 

[ParkCungHee]

I'd run if I had a shot at winning. Organized Labor and/or Professional campaigner will kick my ass if I try.
I might be out in Missouri by the summer so I could run there, but the issues there are different. Sure "10 dollar minimum wage" is a reasonable policy out here, not so much there.

 

[Hygro]

Well Downtown, that's my point, as far as I know, some person made up the idea of the Occupy Convention. A bunch of us are taking it seriously enough to consider it, but hoping to find out as you put, "what the rules are", when in fact I strongly suspect it's up to us to invent the rules.

 

[downtown]

I mean, if I can bring whoever the heck I want, I'm fairly certain I could beat most people who would want to run in my district. I have professional campaign experience,and I have ties to organized labor...and most of Chicago's activist branch will live in other congressional districts.

I have ideas on how to turn this movement into something actually constructive...but if the election rules are like OT model parliament, then there isn't any reason to bother.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Online voting eh? Just make sure the result doesn't end up spelling "marblecake".

 

[ParkCungHee]

I mean, if I can bring whoever the heck I want, I'm fairly certain I could beat most people who would want to run in my district. I have professional campaign experience,and I have ties to organized labor...and most of Chicago's activist branch will live in other congressional districts.

I have ideas on how to turn this movement into something actually constructive...but if the election rules are like OT model parliament, then there isn't any reason to bother.

What I think they really need is someone like you to shape what the rules are.

 

[Hygro]

It really just means doing the work and letting people's laziness have them fall into your structure. If I started a twitter called OccuConCA9th, and a website, and started posting dates for structured meetings that I get someone else to chair so that we may vote on agenda to set up the elections, people will choose that rather than (fail to?) organize their own. Then by taking leadership of the system I can direct the construction of my districts election method. This way I could work to ensure that it doesn't suck and is the best it can be. A by product means people might want me to represent them.

Hell, on my google search this thread is the #2 for "occupy convention". I could conceivably set up the framework for the whole damn thing if no one else is doing it.

 

[Elrohir]

Hell, on my google search this thread is the #2 for "occupy convention". I could conceivably set up the framework for the whole damn thing if no one else is doing it.

I was about to suggest it -- why not? If this is so loosely formatted and up in the air, you might as well formulate some possible basic strategies and forms of organization for people interested in running to follow or think about. We can always tell you if they're bad or need improvement (see dt). At least it'd give us a starting point to start discussing.

 

[Hygro]

OK, I'm going to get something going. I have an essay due tomorrow about a figure during his own time's revolution, and technically I'm on vacation but come December I have no excuses.

Let's discuss the things we'd like to create:

Here's something to start us off:

• A website that plainly states the organization process of the elections to send delegates
• The aforementioned website also states the nature of the convention
• perhaps serves as a forum for how the convention should be run. Right now the 970 person, male-female split is arbitrary.

 

[choxorn]

Can you provide a link to the proposal for the convention? It would probably be useful.

 

[Hygro]

It was in one of our threads. I don't know where it is.

 

[woody60707]

Isn't there a saying that goes something like, "It's who counts the votes that matters".

Who counts the votes?

 

[JohnRM]

I don't think that it would be an awful idea, but I do think that local organizations would need to be raised prior to any convention. You need the vast majority of districts to send delegates in order to be successful and the delegates need a mandate from the people, so...

 

[Souron]

So Occupy Wallstreet is on it's way to becoming a political party.

Isn't there a saying that goes something like, "It's who counts the votes that matters".

Who counts the votes?

If the voting is electronic, then you can use opensource software. Bigger problem is, how do you restrict who and vote and how many times they vote?

 

[woody60707]

If the voting is electronic, then you can use opensource software. Bigger problem is, how do you restrict who and vote and how many times they vote?

Cost would be a big problem, or everything with voting will be a huge problem. The silliness of running an election even before you have an electorate. I say good sir, what could go wrong?

EDIT: I'm calling it now, any OWS convention with elected official will mostly be a big oil/Walmart big wig meetup. Funny how they are going to get all the "votes".

 

[GoodGame]

I may actually seriously look at running. It'll depend a little more on what the rules are of the election though.

Can't wait to hear your rivals say that Downtown isn't really "down" with the occupy values.


Consensus building and courting your core constituency would be step #1, and probably pretty difficult. Occupy is pretty much a mass poverty movement sponsored by an internet anarchy movement. How do you even begin to build recognition with them? Promise to outlaw copyright laws and pass out free turkeys?

 

[Integral]

Information about the 99% Declaration and the Convention. I use the word "information" in the loosest possible sense.

I'm seriously thinking about running. However I am God-awful at campaigning so I'd settle for being downtown's in-house economist.

 

[amadeus]

If they have a declaration, why do they need representatives? It sounds like having a debate in the Korean Worker's Party. "Should we do what Comrade Kim says immedaitely or should we do what Comrade Kim says at this instant? Debate!"

 

[downtown]

I sent out twitter messages to the various occupy groups in Illinois, asking for more clarification. I'll let you know if I hear anything back. Integral, of course, always has a job with me.