The quote suggests that there are obstacles preventing necessary changes to how political nominees are chosen within a democratic party. It implies that the current system, which includes complex primary elections and caucuses, is maintained by individuals who have personal stakes in keeping it as it is.
Looking deeper into this statement, we can see that the quote highlights a common issue in many organizations: resistance to change due to individual interests protecting established systems. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) members might benefit personally from maintaining the status quo of primaries and caucuses, perhaps through financial gains or political influence. This reluctance to reform can hinder broader efforts towards creating more accessible and equitable processes for nominating candidates. The quote also underscores a tension between individual interests and the collective interest in improving democratic procedures.
Terry Sanford was an American politician who served as Governor of North Carolina from 1961 to 1965 and later as President of Duke University. He was known for his advocacy of civil rights, education reform, and political integrity. Sanford's perspective on electoral processes reflects his broader commitment to improving democratic governance and ensuring that political systems are fair and inclusive.