I’ve been attending the convention (my first state convention, actually), and the one thing that really struck me is how much more excitement is being paid to the Carole Migden-Mark Leno race than to the presidential election, likely a reflection of the audience.  The convention naturally attracts activists, who know about the intricacies of that senate race and Migden’s $9 million fine, especially because the convention is in San Jose, very close to Senate District 3.  Others have focused on the dynamics of the race and the hijacks at the convention, but the sheer resources that are being expended at the convention, both by Migden and Leno, and by other potential candidates for office, and I have to wonder–why bother?

As much as we may joke that politicians’ votes are for sale, does it really make sense for politicians and interests to spend thousands of dollars on “hospitality suites” as the parties are called?  I certainly enjoy the nightlife, but do they really do anything?  While it may make sense for some to host parties in order to get attention (who would know who Tom Torlakson is if he didn’t have an ice cream and apple pie social with live music?), for the higher-profile causes and politicians, especially those with Gubernatorial aspirations, does it really make sense to spend all the money on visibility and chum?  How many people are really going to be persuaded to support Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi for Governor because they got a Garamendi sign, button, poppy seeds (for planting), and an invitation to his barbeque?  Activists here know who John Garamendi is, and are (hopefully) not going to be persuaded by a picture and a Basque Barbeque.

Instead, it might make much more sense for Garamendi, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Superintendent Jack O’Connell, Leno, and Migden to spend their campaign money on building a grassroots field organization.  Indeed, that would likely help their campaigns more by creating a grassroots base and a field organization that could mobilize to deliver a primary victory, not to mention helping elect even more Democrats.  I don’t mean to revert to a trite complaint that better campaigners defeat the people who really deserve to win–an election determines who “deserves” to be elected.  But instead of wasting their money, it might be smarter for candidates for office to spend their money more efficiently, which would help the Democratic Party in general.  It would end up benefiting them, too.