July 19, 1971
Page 25970
JUNE 18, 1971.
Hon. DONALD L. FRASER,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
Chairman LAWRENCE O'BRIEN,
Democratic National Committee,
Washington, D.C.
GENTLEMEN: I respectfully request that the potential Democratic Presidential nominees or their aides be brought together for the purpose of reviewing progress to date on state by state compliance with the recommendations of the Commission on Party Structure and Delegate Selection.
The massive effort by the Democratic Party to induce greater public participation in the delegate selection process is an encouraging sign of hope for the future of American politics. This contrasts with the Republican National Committee's intention to run another closed convention.
However, before the great delegate search begins, all of the potential Democratic nominees should be informed of state by state progress on compliance. The candidates should agree to reject the support of delegates from states which have made inadequate efforts toward compliance.
Unnecessary challenge can be avoided if the Fraser Commission, the National Committee and the candidates band together to insure that the 1972 Democratic National Convention is the most open and democratic in American history.
Sincerely,
EDMUND S. MUSKIE.