Local, retail politics paying off for parties

"All politics is local," observed the late Sen. Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, and he was right.

From the proposed city facility, to Republican River water, to our health insurance -- local votes have effects from the courthouse and city hall all the way to Washington and beyond.

The major parties have always had local conventions, but as often or not, they could have been held in a booth at a local restaurant.

The last election, 2008, was different, however, with local Democrats and party members all around the state conducting a caucus in February to choose their candidates, and it drew national attention, with Chelsea Clinton campaigning in Nebraska for her mother and Barack Obama himself.

Obama won the Red Willow County nomination by one vote, and carried the state over Clinton by a two-to-one margin, and even won one electoral college vote in the general election.

The 2008 caucus "engaged our voters and offered Nebraskans a meaningful opportunity to help select a nominee for the office of the president of the United States," Nebraska Democratic chairman Vic Covalt said.

They plan to do it again in 2012, the party announced Monday.

"The 2012 caucus provides yet another chance for Nebraska Democrats to voice their opinions about our political process as well as meet other active Democrats in their neighborhoods."

Caucusing is a good idea for the Democrats, who are predicted to suffer anti-incumbent backlash in the general election three weeks from today. Looking ahead to 2012 in hopes of a recovery is a good idea.

The new Tea Party Patriots already seem to understand the advantages of personal politics, conducting several local rallies, entering a float in the Heritage Days parade and opening a booth in Norris Park during that event, McCook's largest celebration of the year.

Now, the local chapter, Tea Party of SW Nebraska, has received a $6,300 grant for its operational budget.

According to James Mason II, chairman and state coordinator of the Nebraska Tea Party Patriots, the money came from a $1 million private donation, and was distributed via local grant applications, including one by local organizer Jerie Quinty.

"This type of funding to a conservative grassroots political movement is unique," Mason said. "Funding from a political party to their county prescient is almost unheard of."

Quinty "was awarded this grant in part due to her dedication to th conservative ideals of the Tea Party Patriots and the many past events she has organized," he said. "She is very active on the state and national level of the Tea Party Patriots. Her chapter was the only one awarded in Nebraska."

Nebraska has supported no Democrat for president since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, and despite Obama's electoral vote and exceptions like McCook's Sen. Ben Nelson and Bob Kerrey, his predecessor in the Senator and governor's mansion, as well as another McCook native, Gov. Frank B. Morrison, Republicans have traditionally held sway in our state.

But unless the GOP taps into some of the excitement now enjoyed by the Tea Party and even the Democratic Party, it's in danger of being left behind.