DNC Democratic Change Commission Co-Chairs Senator Claire McCaskill and Congressman James E. Clyburn Issued the Following Statements on the Democratic Change Commission's Recommendations to Improve the Presidential Nominating Process
Washington – The DNC Democratic Change Commission Co-Chairs, Senator Claire McCaskill and Congressman James E. Clyburn, released the following statements after the Change Commission made its recommendations today for changes to the Party's Presidential Nominating Process. The Commission made its recommendations to the Rules and Bylaws Committee by unanimous agreement.
Democratic Change Commission Co-Chair and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill released the following statement:
“The Change Commission has taken on the task of following through on the President’s promise to reform the Democratic Party’s rules for nominating a candidate, making recommendations today to provide for a more open and a more accessible process for voters. And, to that end, these recommendations, if approved, will make the process more democratic and offer more power to primary voters.
“We urge the Rules and Bylaws Committee and the full DNC to give full and proper consideration to these recommendations.
“Our paramount concern in this process was addressing the concerns of voters and making the process as democratic, transparent and accessible as possible. I believe in that regard we have succeeded."
Democratic Change Commission Co-Chair and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the following statement:
“The finalized report agreed upon today by the Democratic Change Commission will, if approved by the full DNC, make great improvements to the Democratic nominating process by making the delegate selection process more democratic and shortening the window for state primaries and caucuses. The approved report seeks to reduce front loading of state primaries and caucuses that have extended the primary season in recent cycles.
“This Commission’s recommendations will also make the process more democratic by converting unpledged delegates to a pledged status that allocates them based on the results of statewide caucuses and primaries while continuing to recognize the important role these leaders play within our Party.
“We believe these recommendations, which have been a year in the making and which were envisioned by the delegates to the 2008 convention who created this commission, should be given serious consideration and eventually adopted by the full DNC."
The Commission was tasked by a resolution passed during the 2008 Democratic Convention with recommending changes to the Democratic Party’s rules for the 2012 Presidential nominating and delegate selection process.
The Democratic Change Commission was tasked by the delegates to the 2008 Democratic Convention with doing three things:
- Changing the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held
- Reducing the number of super delegates
- Improving the caucus system.
The Commission is made up of 34 members and two co-chairs (for 36 members total) and represents a diverse mix of DNC members, elected officials, representatives of State Parties, academics, organized labor officials, grassroots activists, and other Party leaders.
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