DuPage Democrats hope straw poll pumps up party

In a move that's perhaps more about measuring the strength of the party than a barometer of donkey dreams for the White House, DuPage Democrats will host a presidential straw poll today.

The poll is a sign of growing activity and fervor in a local party operation that's long lived in the shadow of its GOP rival within the county.

Democratic voters in DuPage will see primary ballots with about twice as many names running for precinct committeeman than they've seen in recent years. The low-level elected officials function as the foot soldiers in getting out the vote at election time.

Democrats in DuPage want to take advantage of the excitement created by hometown favorites Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to spark interest in Democratic names further down the ballot.

However, party leaders appear to be somewhat torn about the best ways to do that.

While the DuPage Democrats organization views the straw poll as a party building exercise, another group -- Operation Turn DuPage Blue -- sees it as an event that won't necessarily represent or build the strength of the local party.

"I don't think it's something that is the best use of our time now," said Bob Peickert, the leader of Operation Turn DuPage Blue.

"We need to spend the time getting the vote out for our local primary candidates," he added. "This would be time better spent walking door-to-door."

But DuPage Democrats officials who organized the straw poll say they are optimistic about the buzz it will build.

"Political organizations all around the country have these straw polls," said Jon Myers, political director for DuPage Democrats. "By bringing local Democrats together, we strengthen our local Democratic Party."

The disparate views are a sneak preview of an inter-party rivalry that will come to a head March 5 when DuPage Democrats choose a party chairman.

Jockeying for that position are Peickert and the current chairman, Rob Bisceglie.

Still, Operation Turn DuPage Blue did promise DuPage Democrats that it would send out an e-mail encouraging attendance at the straw poll.

That may help what seems to be a lukewarm reception by Democrats who wanted to be associated with the straw poll in advance.

Rose Fitzpatrick, one of the event organizers, said only about 36 people sent RSVPs. Still, both her and Myers said they expect at least 100 participants.

"I think a lot of people are waiting to see what the weather is," Fitzpatrick said. "We just want to see the feeling out there, and see if it really ends up representing the rest of DuPage County."

Bisceglie was traveling Monday and unreachable for comment.

If you go

What: Presidential straw poll hosted by DuPage Democrats

Where: Cici's Pizza, 311 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. today

Details: www.dupagedemocrats.org