Meet Your DNC Delegate: Alicia Crank

Mountain View Patch is committed to in-depth coverage of the 2012 elections, from the local school board to the presidential race.

Republicans and Democrats will hold their national conventions over the next couple of weeks. The GOP will take center stage next week as the Republican National Convention is held in Tampa. Democrats will converge on Charlotte the following week.

We sought information from both the local GOP and democratic delegates to each conventions and have received a response from Alicia Crank, who's headed to the democratic convention. We'll also highlight RNC delegate Rick Holbrook. For fairness, we are publishing them side-by-side. 

Mountain View Patch: How does a person become a delegate?

Alicia Crank: There are a few different ways, but I went the way of Congressional District Level delegate. You have to be a registered Democrat in your congressional district and submit the necessary paperwork to the state democratic party. Once approved, you must be voted in as a delegate at a congressional caucus meeting, where those in your district who are also registered democrats can vote. More info can be found at www.cadem.org

Patch: Do you feel that your presence at the convention will make an impact? How so?

Crank: One of the things we will do as delegates is vote on national platform issues, such as education, same sex marriage, etc. It's nice to know my vote will count.

Patch: These days a lot of people are disenchanted with the two major parties. What makes you proud of your party?

Crank: I like that we are diverse in race, culture and beliefs, and can agree to disagree respectfully on certain topics.

Patch: Do you know other delegates going, or are you about to join thousands of strangers on the convention floor?

Crank: I ran as part of a slate in my congressional district (18), and five out of six of us were voted in, so we will spend time together.  I also know others in the Bay Area who are going.

Patch: What are you looking forward to most at the convention?

Crank: Networking with delegates from other states, going to social events, attending various caucus meetings (African American, Progressive, etc).

Patch: What would you want your neighbors to know about the convention?

Crank: There is a big misconception that it's a big party paid for by the taxpayers and political parties. The Democratic Party doesn't pay for delegates to go. We self-fund our trips (some with the help of fundraisers and donations from friends). For Bay Area delegates, it will cost an average of $2600 to attend (airfare, hotel and food).

Patch: If Obama asked you what issues really matter in Mountain View, what would you say?

Crank: Jobs and housing.

Patch: What do you wish people in your town knew more about Obama?

Crank: Hmmm...that while he is the President, not all decisions are made by him. Congress has to do their part in legislation. When things are not getting done in Washington DC, it's not solely the President's fault. Our other elected officials must act. 

Democratic National Convention web site

Alicia Crank will blog for aliciainmtnview.wordpress.com and share her stories of the Democratic National Convention. Watch for her posts in two weeks.

Also read about Rick Holbrook a local delegate to the Republican National Convention:

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