Posted on 10/31/2003 4:47:40 AM PST by Phlap
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Gary Locke on Thursday called a special session of the Legislature for Dec. 5 to cancel next year's presidential primary, saying the state shouldn't waste money on an election that has no real meaning.
The primary had been set for March 2. But Democrats are using precinct caucuses in February to allocate national convention delegates, making the later Democratic primary moot. And President Bush has no serious challenger for the Republican nomination.
"Canceling the nonbinding presidential primary will save the taxpayers more than $7 million," the governor said. "It makes no sense to spend taxpayer money on an election that serves no practical purpose."
Canceling the primary was first proposed by state Sen. Jim Kastama, a Democrat, and eventually other legislators took up the cause. Local officials also called for the cancellation.
GOP Secretary of State Sam Reed, a staunch backer of the primary, reluctantly went along, telling The Associated Press "it can't pass the straight-face test" to run a meaningless election during a recession.
Kastama hailed Locke's decision to call the special session, and predicted a strong, perhaps even unanimous, vote in both houses.
"It's one of those things that just makes sense," he said.
Worst economy in 100 years! This recession which we are currently in (snort!) is so bad, I think we're all doomed.
So rather than let the voters of Washington choose their nominee, the State of Washington's DemocRATic party moves it to the smokey back room. Manipulations galore. Wasn't the shift to a primary vote in response to the "insider trading" of party hacks?
How about the military vote plus others out of their precinct on caucus day? Hmmmmm? No absentee ballot? Disenfranchisement! Disenfranchisement!
That said, I believe a vote would still be meaningful. For example, what if the caucuses choose Clark but the voters choose Dean? That would be mighty meaningful.
The problem with this is that it disenfranchises independent voters (like me). It seems to me we ought to have a voice in who gets chosen.
The best way, believe it or not, is the Louisiana-style open primary, wherein the two top vote-getters move from the primary to the general election, no matter WHAT party they are (both Democrats, both Republicans, one of each, or any other combination). Folks registered to any party (or no party) can vote for anyone of either party.
Your voice is heard in the general election. If you are not a party member, why should you have a choice in who that party puts forth as a standard bearer? And why should the state pay for political party functions?
Suppose two Republicans and two Democrats are running. I prefer a specific one of the Republicans, but not the other. Why shouldn't I have a say in which one advances to the general election??
Like I said, this disenfrancises me. A completely open primary (a la Louisiana) is the best choice. And in THAT case, the primary elections is NOT a "political party function".
That was my thought also....LOL.
I "believe" there are two things on it. I know one is an initiative on whether to repeal the yet to be enacted ergonomics law that will help to pursuade more businesses to leave the area. Rather then consolidate these things into (at least) an annual election it seems like we have one every two-three months.
Meaningless election? That's SOP here. It would be better to simply tie the primary in with some other ballot...perhaps in with a measure to repeal the noxious weed laws.
Well, I agree with you. This scenario stinks. The only people who would like it are the puppet masters pulling the strings at party headquarters, who usually distrust grassroots operators and treat us like we smell bad or something.
In essence this means no power to the people of any party, period. Bad news for those who want to steer the country to safety, Conservative of course.
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