All But 3 Democratic Caucuses Stripped of Official Recognition

Democratic leaders, trying to overcome criticism that the party caters to special interests, stripped official recognition Friday from all but three of its caucuses.

The party’s executive committee approved on a voice vote a resolution that replaced a policy that provided for caucus meetings to be listed on the official agenda and gave the groups automatic access to facilities.

The resolution, instead of recognizing the caucuses, allows any 10 Democratic National Committee members to get help from the party staff in arranging a meeting “for any purpose consistent with those of the Democratic Party.” Such groups will have no official status.

“We’ve clearly diminished the power of caucuses,” Brian Lunde, executive director of the national committee, said.

The executive committee’s action repealed guidelines for formal recognition of caucuses representing homosexuals, liberals and progressives, business and professional persons, and Asian and Pacific Democrats.

Applies to Other Groups

Technically, the action also applies to blacks, women and Latinos. But those three groups have special status protected by the party’s charter and bylaws, which the executive committee does not have authority to alter.

The charter ensures that the black, women’s and Latino caucuses will be represented on the executive committee as major constituency groups. Lunde said the other caucuses also wanted representation on the committee, something that the party leadership was not willing to give them.

Friday’s vote was taken after little debate, and only two “no” votes were heard. The issue apparently was settled Thursday night at a private dinner attended by committee members and new party Chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr.

Kirk told the executive committee that the purpose of the resolution was to give all Democratic National Committee members the same rights as organized groups, and he assured the panel that the action would “not affect the rights of any group now within the party.” Vice Chairwoman Polly Baca, who introduced the proposal, called the change “administrative and not substantive.”

Caucus Chairman Upset

But Tom Chorlton, chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Caucus, said his group was upset because “we weren’t consulted.” He added that “we’ll stand on our head to be good Democrats, but we must be included. . . . The discussion and decisions were reached behind closed doors.”

During the brief discussion, several black committee members questioned the impact of the resolution and were assured that it would not affect their status.

Terrance Pitts of Milwaukee said: “We have to know exactly what is being superseded. . . . What seems like a simple resolution could have far-reaching consequences.” However, Pitts voted for the resolution.