I'm afraid my experience is closer to Tom Janowski's than Thomas Morrisey's. Headquarters was interested in using me and my allies' as workhorses, nothing else. Want to canvass? Sure. Want to phone bank? Sure. Want to lit drop? Sure. Want to try something new? No. Want to run for something? Not unless it fits in with our scheme. Want to win over new voters? No. Want to be part of the conversation? No, that takes place behind the Chairman's doors. Actually contribute novel ideas as a rank-and-file Democrat? Sorry, that's not how the 'Democratic' Party works in Monroe County.
Maybe as a pure outsider, coming from outside Rochester, with prior extensive experience and connections that works. But unless your last name is already Morelle, Clifford, Conklin, Wilmot, Gantt, etc., don't expect to be given a paying job in the Democratic Party. Volunteer your heart out. But don't expect to do anything but grunt work. And unless you're in the 'in' faction for the moment, you're not going to run and win in the realpolitik of the city, Brighton and sometimes Irondequoit. It's one reason so many Republicans started out as Democrats. They get no support from H.Q., no support on the ground and get tired of losing for not being a cozy insider like Molly Clifford.
So Thomas, you were part of Ted O'Brien's team. How's his 2nd term working out for you? You made the unlikely jump from outsider to insider. Congratulations. Most of us are not nearly so lucky.
Re: “Have county Dems hit bottom?”
I'm afraid my experience is closer to Tom Janowski's than Thomas Morrisey's. Headquarters was interested in using me and my allies' as workhorses, nothing else. Want to canvass? Sure. Want to phone bank? Sure. Want to lit drop? Sure. Want to try something new? No. Want to run for something? Not unless it fits in with our scheme. Want to win over new voters? No. Want to be part of the conversation? No, that takes place behind the Chairman's doors. Actually contribute novel ideas as a rank-and-file Democrat? Sorry, that's not how the 'Democratic' Party works in Monroe County.
Maybe as a pure outsider, coming from outside Rochester, with prior extensive experience and connections that works. But unless your last name is already Morelle, Clifford, Conklin, Wilmot, Gantt, etc., don't expect to be given a paying job in the Democratic Party. Volunteer your heart out. But don't expect to do anything but grunt work. And unless you're in the 'in' faction for the moment, you're not going to run and win in the realpolitik of the city, Brighton and sometimes Irondequoit. It's one reason so many Republicans started out as Democrats. They get no support from H.Q., no support on the ground and get tired of losing for not being a cozy insider like Molly Clifford.
So Thomas, you were part of Ted O'Brien's team. How's his 2nd term working out for you? You made the unlikely jump from outsider to insider. Congratulations. Most of us are not nearly so lucky.