Posted on 08/10/2008 5:55:13 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Clinton supporters at Democratic meeting fail in bid to end caucus system The party's platform committee sets aside the caucus amendment, saying the rules committee will deal with it. The new draft party platform is a mixed bag. By Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer August 10, 2008 PITTSBURGH -- Hillary Rodham Clinton loyalists tried Saturday to kill off the caucus system that proved so damaging to her presidential bid, but were beaten back by a Democratic Party leadership firmly under the command of her former rival, Barack Obama.
Democrats who supported the New York senator's candidacy pushed to amend the new party platform so that caucuses would be banned in future presidential contests.
But the party's platform committee refused to allow a vote on the amendment or even a discussion. Co-chair Patricia Madrid, a former New Mexico attorney general, said the matter would instead be taken up at a later date by the party's rules committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I don’t understand the purpose of the caucuses. Why don’t they just go to the polls and vote, and then the winner takes all? That’s a real-life election, not some popularity contest in someone’s house where they can exert pressure on each other to vote for someone else. Dumb.
The purpose of caucuses is to give the power to nominate a candidate to party activists and take it away from the party rank and file, most of whom can’t afford to take 3 hours at night to attend the meetings.
It is great if you are an interest group with a fanatical interest in one issue or candidate.
I think it’s funny how this year turned out for Hillary. Among the Clintons’ big mistakes were neglecting the caucuses. Then Hillary and her surrogates spent endless hours complaining about how undemocratic the caucuses are.
As I understand it, somebody may know better, the caucuses are not officially considered to be an election, so that’s why there’s no secret ballot. It’s part of a process to nominate candidates, not directly electing candidates. That’s why they are allowed to go to someone’s house and persuade people to change their minds after debates and arguments.
As to why some states do it that way, I don’t know. Anybody else know? I think if you do well in a caucus it shows the strength of your political organization and your ability to get your supporters out there on caucus night.
I think it’s funny how this year turned out for Hillary. Among the Clintons’ big mistakes were neglecting the caucuses. Then Hillary and her surrogates spent endless hours complaining about how undemocratic the caucuses are.
As I understand it, somebody may know better, the caucuses are not officially considered to be an election, so that’s why there’s no secret ballot. It’s part of a process to nominate candidates, not directly electing candidates. That’s why they are allowed to go to someone’s house and persuade people to change their minds after debates and arguments.
As to why some states do it that way, I don’t know. Anybody else know? I think if you do well in a caucus it shows the strength of your political organization and your ability to get your supporters out there on caucus night.
Hillaryous! Run Hillary Run!
Whether the state will use a primary election or a caucus to allocate its votes isn't up to the state. It's solely a party decision.
Obviously, the party in the Democrat caucus states prefer it that way. It ensures that the most organized and most active factions in the party -- e.g., labor, teachers, government workers, party functionaries -- have their say...and can make it stick.
It's all about power. And, after going once around the mulberry bush, that translates to money.
I am enjoying watching Hillary and Bill go thru their misery. They actually tried to “game the system” back in 2006 to favor Hillary. They were passing out PAC money to fellow democrats. They also moved some early primaries from bigger states earlier on the calendar because they knew Hillary wouldn’t do well in Iowa. That came back to bite them in the butt.
Karma is cool.
Yeah, try to change the system that produced this year’s presumptive nominee, Obambi.
Oh, yeah, that’s going to be a winning move..... ha ha, I love anything that makes the Clintonistas whine like little babies.
Caucuses are anti-democratic, but wth, it’s wonderful to see the Clintonistas suffering over them again.
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