With undecided superdelegates, close popular vote, and Michigan and Florida in the balance, the Democratic National Convention for President this August promises to be contentious.
Phil Reid of Independence Township will have a front row seat.
‘Why go to a boring convention? I’d rather go to one that’s interesting,? he said.
Reid, 55, is the Eighth Congressional District male delegate to the Democratic convention, representing north Oakland County. He and 82 other delegates were elected April 19 at congressional district conventions.
‘Oakland County gets one delegate, and I wanted to be that delegate,? he said.
His plan is to cast his vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton.
‘I really believe she is the best candidate for the job,? Reid said. ‘She has the experience and temperament to be a good president.?
Her respect for government contrasts sharply with that of President George W. Bush, Reid said.
‘The current administration is disdainful of government,? he said. ‘The last eight years have been a train wreck.?
The Democratic Party said Michigan and Florida’s delegate votes will be in vain, because their primaries were in January in violation of party rules. However, Reid is confident something will be worked out.
‘I think it’s highly likely,? he said. ‘We have to wait and see how the primaries do. The clock’s going to run out. All states have to have a say. Then it will be clear.?
If not allowed to vote, the trip still won’t be wasted, he said.
‘There’s also a number of other events ? regional and state meetings, visit and meet with other delegates,? he said.
He will support Sen. Barack Obama if he ends up with the nomination, he said.
‘I’ll be happy to support whoever emerges as the candidate. I’m very confident Michigan will go Democrat this November, and that the Democratic candidate will win, with the economy, the war, so many things.?
The closeness of the race is a product of modern politics, driven by the media, he said.
‘I’m not surprised it’s so even. I don’t see it as a coincidence ? it’s in their interest to keep it close,? he said.
The media focuses negative reporting on the frontrunner, whoever that may be at the time, he said.
Reid moved to Independence Township from Pleasant Ridge 10 years ago with his family, Cindy, his wife, and their two children, Caitlin and Keith.
‘My wife wanted to move farther out,? he said.
They settled in a former farmhouse on three acres near Independence County Park.
A life-long Democrat, he didn’t become actively involved in the party until 2004, when he went to work on Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign with the Oakland County Democratic Party.
‘I was at the point where I needed to do something,? he said. ‘The 2000 election was stolen. Bush was running for his second term. I was so unhappy. I couldn’t not do anything.?
Kerry’s campaign was unsuccessful ? stolen again, Reid said ? but the work wasn’t wasted.
‘Staying busy has a therapeutic effect,? he said.
He is now chair of the North Oakland Democrats Club, vice chair of the Oakland District Democrats, and member of the Eighth Congressional Committee
With a majority of the county, 15 of 25 county districts, represented by Republicans, the North Oakland County Democratic Club has its work cut out for it.
‘It’s a work in progress,? he said. ‘North Oakland County is the opposite of south Oakland County. It’s hard for Republicans in south Oakland County, and it’s hard for Democrats in north Oakland County.?
The Democrats? 10 districts are concentrated in the southeast corner of the county, with the 10th and 11th districts, Pontiac and Auburn Hills, its northernmost territory. Districts in north Oakland County, including Clarkston, Independence Township, Springfield Township, Brandon, Lake Orion, and Oxford, are all Republican.
‘I see some townships here and there run by RINOs (Republicans In Name Only),? Reid said. ‘I’d like to see a climate where Democrats can run as Democrats, and win as Democrats.?
To that end, the club is participating in more community events and hosting local and state speakers, he said.
‘We may need a number of election cycles before we see dynamic changes,? he said. ‘But over time, as south Oakland County goes, so will north Oakland County. The trend is there.?