The Herman-Price Commission
on
the American Plan

1 October 2005

MR. TORRES: Diversity has been a very important issue for us and the lack of that diversity in a Presidential nominating process has been very evident to those of us in California. And I appreciate the scenarios that include that kind of diversity that we see within the documents as well. But there's also a group in California of many activists who are concerned. I'm sure they'll raise their voices before the Rules Committee at the appropriate time in terms of their perspective, and that is a Resolution that we will be considering tomorrow in Los Angeles that seriously urges us to consider the American or Graduated Random System which features 10 multi-state primaries evenly spaced over 20 weeks of the approximate length of the traditional Presidential primary schedule. The first primary would take place in a randomly selected group of states whose Congressional Districts total exactly eight with succeeding primaries going progressively larger.

We feel in California that in 2004 election, over $181 million dollars left our state never to come back, and in June -- rather in March of 2004 when our primaries were held we were almost irrelevant in a primary nominating process. And I know that each of the members here understands that in other states, New York and others, equally contributed as much and never came back to their home states. We feel that this proposal might very well be seriously considered at the Rules Committee. I know at this point it is a little late in the process to introduce something new but I think that this discussion as a heads-up from California will take place tomorrow and I'm sure there are many people who want to participate there.

But I will, of course, report on our deliberations that take place today to that body tomorrow of about 500 executive board members in Los Angeles. But I wanted to say that the California Young Democrats and the National Young Democrats meeting in San Francisco in August of this year also embrace this proposal and I'm sure Mr. Roosevelt and others, members of the Rules Committee will be hearing from them in the future.

But thank you again for being sensitive to the issue of diversity, especially among Asian, Latino, and African-American voters and to help them become viable and real within the nominating process for the next President of the United States who I in my heart know will be a Democrat.

10 December 2005

MR. TORRES: I wanted to address the section stated "Moving Back the Process in 2012 and Beyond." The American Plan which I had presented before this Commission on two occasions spreads the nomination calendar across ten intervals of time and randomly selects the order of states from one presidential election to the next and any given state would have an opportunity to be earlier or later in the calendar. I would recommend that the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee consider and review this proposal for the 2012 timing.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Is there a second?

VOICE: Second.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Discussion?

(No response.)

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: If there's no discussion, then could you restate? As I look around the room, could you restate the amendment for the record and we will call the question.

MR. TORRES: Yes. I'm merely asking that the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee review and consider the concept known as the American Plan, which is supported strongly by California. Not that it would put California ahead of any other states because it would be a random plan. But I would just prefer that the Rules Committee consider it for 2012 since I don't have the votes to consider it today.

CO-CHAIR PRICE: Mr. Torres, is it accurate to say that your understanding would be that in the so-called report language, the third component of this report, that somehow that would be incorporated?

MR. TORRES: Yes.

CO-CHAIR PRICE: Fine.

MR. TORRES: To request they review and consider.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Consideration of an amendment of the bylaws. Mr. Ickes?

MR. ICKES: Art, could you give a thumbnail about what the American Plan is? It sounds like something on a deli menu.

MR. TORRES: It sounds like what?

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: He says it sounds like a deli menu. I think he's hungry.

MR. TORRES: The American Plan is proposed to spread the calendar of elections across ten intervals of time and randomly selects the order of the states from one presidential cycle to the next. What I'm asking is that there be some consideration and review by the Rules and Bylaws Committee to this proposal for the 2012 consideration, not for 2008.

MR. ROOSEVELT: May I --

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Mr. Roosevelt.

MR. ROOSEVELT: -- just say that the Rules and Bylaws Committee in my view must consider 2012 because if we are going to have any continuing progress here we have to take a position that the Republicans can possibly sign onto. That has to be done in 2008. Therefore we have to consider 2012 at this point, and the American Plan certainly would be among those considerations in my view, and that's whether it includes lunch or not.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Thank you very much. We will now call the question and ask for a show of hands on the amendment to the report document itself proposed by Mr. Torres, that this would be an item of consideration for the Rules and Bylaws Committee in 2012. All those in favor of supporting this amendment, please signify by raising your hands.

(A show of hands.)

MR. McNAMARA: 25. It's unanimous.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: It's unanimous.

MR. TORRES: Thank you, Madam Chair.

CO-CHAIR HERMAN: Thank you.

Report of the
Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling
to
Governor Howard Dean
Chairman
Democratic National Committee

Moving Back the Process in 2012 and Beyond

The Commission is of the view that the entire caucus and primary season occurs far too early, and Commission members expressed considerable frustration that both their pre-window and within-window adjustments were compromised by their inability to adjust the date (February 5) on which the Republican window will open in 2008. As noted above, Republican practice is to approve its rules at the prior national convention. Therefore, the date is set for 2008 and there is no feasible way to change it. But the issue can and must be addressed before 2012.

The Commission believes that early February is far too early to start the caucus/primary season, to say nothing of pre-window contests in January. Now, the early date, plus the powerful impact of Iowa and New Hampshire, plus front-loading within the window, promises to produce a nominee on a date earlier than the first contest used to occur. The Commission has addressed some of these factors, but would move the entire season as much as two months later if it were free to do so.

In considering the options for 2012 the Commission encourages the Party to think boldly, including for example, RBC consideration of the proposal known as the American Plan which would spread the calendar of contests across ten intervals of time and randomly select the order of the states from one presidential election cycle to the next.

There is some precedent for bipartisan consultation on this matter. In its review of the 2004 nominating calendar in the fall 1999 / spring 2000 called "Beyond 2000," the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) developed a working relationship with the RNC commission headed by Bill Brock (detailed above). At the time, the Co-Chairs of the RBC had discussions with their Republican counterparts and former DNC Chairman Joe Andrew met with Republican Chairman Jim Nicholson about the matter. The bipartisan approach to the nominating calendar reflected the serious commitment by both parties to address concerns about the schedule.

The Commission urges Chairman Dean and the DNC to begin a series of discussions with the RNC as the RNC begins to draft its 2012 rules in anticipation of the 2008 Convention. Discussion about the Democratic Party’s rules for the next cycle before the current process has even begun will be necessary to attain what the Commission believes is truly necessary, a bipartisan solution for 2012 and succeeding cycles.