By now everyone seems to know about my coverage of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats endorsement fiascos. But another player in the area is Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats club.

CBID just recently went through its own civil war, which I have heard about from many sources and witnessed the tail end of. But now CBID seems the quieter, less torn apart club. This was evident in last nights endorsement meeting which went far smoother than the IND meetings and was more of a pleasure to attend.

What I liked about last night's meeting was that no one was scolding the attendees as happens at IND. And to be fair, at IND both sides are scolding each other. Karen Johnson shakes her finger at everyone. I, as it has been called, yammer about integrity. Buddy Scotto yammers about invaders. It is one bunch of people scolding another group who all scold back. I have been as much a part of it as anyone, and I think no one associated with IND should be very proud of that club's image right now.

In contrast there was no scolding at CBID. Everyone treated each other with respect and acted like adults. Keep in mind this is not always the case! In fact, in the past IND was the more mature acting club and I have witnessed much scolding and accusation at CBID meetings. But for now, CBID is the more pleasant, respectful environment starting from the top and going right down to people like me.

And for the record, whatever battles CBID had just a short while ago, also involving the fear of newcomers, CBID is now welcoming of newcomers and in no way is making them feel unwanted.

When I complained about IND board members writing in their capacity as board members to advocate for a candidate prior to an actual endorsement meeting I was berated by many who said that "all the club do it" and it is perfectly allowed. When I pointed out exact sections of the club constitution that clearly stated such pre-endorsement support using a person's club identity were prohibited (more scolding?), two board members agreed at least partly with me, others went so far as to accuse me of being anti-free speech (yet MORE scolding!). Then the club's constitution was suddenly taken down from their website.

Well, you know what? Not one letter came to me from CBID board members plugging a candidate before the endorsement meeting. Two CANDIDATES sent letters using their CBID affiliation, but no board members. So it seems that not all clubs do this. Some clubs let the members decide without board members trying to influence them.

Back to last night's meeting. The other thing I liked was that the meeting went off far more efficiently than voting goes at IND. IND's voting is clunky and time consuming. CBID uses instant runoff voting. Now I have been wary of IRV because the Greens are pushing so hard for it and I find many of the political maneuvers of the Greens to be distasteful. But watching IRV in action I have to say it is smoother and means you don't have to have second and third ballots in a crowded room with everyone trying to vote at once. There was one vote, people ranked their choices and from that single ballot everything, including runoffs, could be determined. I may advise IND to do the same...if they'll listen to me : -)

One other difference between the two clubs is IND never even mentioned some candidates. Elizabeth King, running for SD-20, didn't speak and I don't remember her being on the ballot. Perhaps I am misremembering, but I am pretty sure IND ignored her. CBID had all candidates on the ballot.

Another for the record: I did not vote at CBID. Why? Because IND has a rule that they interpret to mean that people who vote in one club can't vote in the other because of overlapping territories. Since I have scolded IND for breaking its own rules, I figure I should adhere to them to be consistent.

So what happened in the end? Well, with all the infighting, "invasions," scolding and blogging, BOTH clubs endorsed exactly the people I expected them to endorse. Both clubs gave their love to the favorite unchallenged politicians, Joan Millman and Nydia Velasquez. Both clubs also endorsed Eric Adams for State Senate in the SD-20 race, another expected outcome despite a little maneuvering at IND by someone supposedly connected with the Musa Moore campaign but who identifies himself merely as a club member. CBID endorsed Bill Batson for Assembly district 57, a race not covered by IND.

And the two clubs split as expected on the key races: IND went for David Yassky; CBID went for Chris Owens for the CD-11 race. IND went for Marty Connor while CBID went for Ken Diamondstone for the SD-25. Both of those were completely expected and show that although both clubs lean reform, IND is the less progressive of the two, for what it's worth.

Next stop is petitioning. In the ongoing pissing contest between IND and CBID (sometimes friendly, sometimes not) IND usually wins the respect of insiders because they deliver the petitions better than anyone else. My advice to the newcomers who were screwed over by IND: Get your buts petitioning for CBID. If CBID outperforms IND, it will be a clear message that the newcomers aren't just packing to get a particular endorsement but rather are real activists who will benefit whatever club they are welcomed into. Delivering county committee members and accurate, plentiful petitions will determine which club is taking the smarter route. Who will deliver? I personally hope BOTH clubs out do themselves this year in petitioning and delivering county committee members.

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