How does one define "rival"? The Ku Klux Klan never would allow in blacks, Jews, etc., but the NAACP never has denied membership to caucasians or other non-blacks. Which model would you prefer?Jeff, What you are proposing is akin to a book club or society that is open to any individual that enjoys discussing literature. That is not my view of the At-Large. Instead, I see it as a political movement fighting for the representation that has been denied to it. Within this political context, one would not wish to open up the membership to one's political rivals.
Technically, not so, though a formal switch would be required before a registered Elephant could vote as a Donkey.To my knowledge, the Democratic Party would not allow registered Republicans to become members of their organization.
But how do you determine that, except perhaps in a few extreme examples? Hell, it's as easy as putting Cheez-Whiz on a Ritz to verify that I'm Karl Auerbach's attorney in his case against ICANN, so my bona fides should be unquestionable, but how do you know that I'm not just a paid gun for hire, that I didn't just agree to represent Karl for the paycheck, while personally opposing the at large idea? Surely, you know that attorneys are not bound to take on cases that are in accord with their own personal views.Neither should the At-Large countenance members who are in opposition to the principles of the At-Large.