Submitted by Alicia Brimage, Jan 18, 2008 21:29

My hometown is Illinois and I am now a resident of Nevada. In my opinion, the state of Nevada has not evolved as Illinois has, when it comes to politics. You are very correct, when you state: " The crucial lesson we learned from the 1979 Roland Burris and Harold Washington campaigns is use the "primary" elections as leverage to ensure accountability from our local or state political parties. We learned that if you are seeking real leadership positions within your party, you have to endorse the candidate from your community in the "primary election". This action forces the political party establishment to

1) Work for and endorse the communities' candidate in the general election.

Or 2) Work for and endorse the communities' agenda in the general election, for fear of losing the communities' support or vote once again in the general election.

In Illinois, we have learned, there is no option 3 for the political party establishment, because winning the election is their ultimate goal. We learned that the state political party can only gain power through local elections, so they will support whomever you select in the primaries. (the primaries are the keys to the party accountability vehicle) Illinois politics has proved that if you want real leadership or influence within your political party's establishment, you first have to withhold their payday (votes) in the primary, until they do all their work for you before the general election. Then, and only then, have they earned their pay or (votes) for the general election. The process works, we keep proving it election after election over and over again. Action, not words have to take place in the "primary" election, if you want a seat and influence at the head of the table, in the general election. This political strategy holds the party and the candidates accountable to the community, because the political parties need success in the general elections, to maintain power over the opposing political party"

These are the most important reasons why I support Barack Obama for President of the United States of America and why I will caucus for tomorrow for Barack Obama in Nevada.

Thanks, Great Post!

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