Tap professional for do-over convention

Norbert J. Kubilus, North Las Vegas

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

More than 70 years ago, Will Rogers quipped, “I’m not a member of any organized political party I’m a Democrat.” The Clark County Democratic Party certainly made him proud Saturday. As a lifelong Democrat and a county delegate elected from Precinct 2480, I was appalled at the poor planning and lack of organization for the Clark County Democratic Convention.

After the heavy turnout at the precinct caucuses Jan. 19, what were the convention organizers thinking? The convention was sized for fewer than 5,000 people when the number of delegates arriving would exceed 7,400. Why were party leaders so surprised when nearly 12,000 people arrived on Saturday?

Registration for delegates was confined to a small meeting room with a line snaking down a narrow hall to Bally’s hotel registration area. Why weren’t credentials mailed to the certified delegates? We all received a blue postcard with the on-site registration times.

The registration process was further stalled by hundreds of elected delegates showing up to learn that their precincts didn’t report their election. It didn’t matter whom you supported ... you had a one-in-five chance that your election was not reported by your precinct caucus chairman.

Where do we go from here? The Clark County Democratic Party should engage a professional convention planner who knows how to organize and execute a successful meeting.

The real shame of Saturday is that thousands of first-time Clark County delegates left Bally’s with the lasting impression that Will Rogers was right.