Debbie says: Let me first comment on a common misconception; the role of *Group*
Executive Committees in the endorsement process and the third to last paragraph
deals with the 2/3 vote count. In Iowa the, club has endorsed both congressional
candidates and candidates for the state legislature. The Groups  role in each is
different. This has lead to the confusion.

The club requires two entities for endorsement. For congress and the U.S senate it
is the Chapter Ex Com and the National Political Committee. Why do the groups
think they have a say in the endorsement of a senator or represenative ? Because
as Political Chair of  Iowa for the last four years I have encouraged groups to
become active in endorseing candidates. Maybe that is what Peggy is referring to
when she mentions the "leadership style of the person directing it."  Groups play
the most important part in working with the congressman. We all have the same
senators.  Groups provide the talent and leadership that is needed to interview
the candidate and get the questionnaires where they need to be.

Groups for many years have played a vital role in the endorsement of members of
Iowa's senate and house of representatives. They have been the second entity
besides the chapter Ex Com to vote on the endorsement.  I want them to continue to
do that . For that purpose I have organized a Chapter Political Committee that is
made of the group Political Chairs. I  invited Peggy to be on that committee . She
was approved , attended a meeting last summer and has since resigned. Last summer
I explained the endorsement process to all the group political chairs. Everyone
was there except Jim Redmond and  Shelly Sheehy. She was making a presentatio
before a city counsel. Alisia is new this year and I talked to her on the phone.

We have had groups not go through the endorsement process of some very good
friends in the legislature. The main reason has been: " we don't meet in the
summer". It has been a variation on that theme. Because group excoms can drop the
ball, the Chapter Poltical committee can be the second entity doing the
endorsement.

The two bodies do not "recomend" endorsement to the other; whether that body be
the National Political Commitee, the Chapter Executive Committee, the Chapter
Poltical Chair, or the Group Ex Com.

Every opponent of incumbants was suppose to be sent a questionnaire. This is not
necessary. We can endorse an incumbant without sending his opponent a
quesionniare. This was done by the group political chairs in the Eagle View and
Iowa City  group and as political chair in  Central Iowa I did it. I did it for
the races that don't have a group and the other groups. (The fact that not all of
Iowa is in a group is another reason to have a Chapter Political Committee.)  The
Central Iowa Ex Com at its April and May meeting discussed endorsing candidates
for Iowa Legislature and Peggy as a member of that Ex Com could have participated
in a discussion but was not there.

If the topics listserve wants to discuss candidates that is fine. I think its
better done on the Ex Com listserve.

In Rex's original post he mentioned there was a mistake made regarding the
majority vote vs. 2/3 vote needed. That was not true. My memo explaining the
process stated that a 2/3  vote was needed. I never mentioned a simple majority.
The correction that was made  by Jonathan ,member of the National Political
committee, was concening how to count votes . He said  a " no reply" cannot be
counted as a yes . No one commented on the the calculation of the 2/3 that was
also in the same memo I put out. Jonathan did not and no one else did unless Tom
did and his message did not get through.

Rex, I tried to call you twice yesterday at work to clear this up instead of
posting to the topics listserve. I had a meeting with Steve Vehsey and  Jane
regarding French Creek. When I saw Peggy's post, I decided I better comment to on
everything. I would have preferred to talk to you in person.  This is the kind of
thing that happens when we start broadcasting our problems and not talking to
people one on one.

I have to talked to Becky on the phone regarding conservation and I understand the
resentment of having to deal with other entities requesting things from the
groups.

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