Posted on 07/29/2011 8:46:55 PM PDT by Beaten Valve
California has moved its presidential primary to June, consolidating trips to the poll to save money in an election that most voters in the Democratic leaning state see as a foregone conclusion.
Governor Jerry Brown signed the move into law on Friday.
The state for years tried to raise its profile in the national presidential race, but its efforts have been diluted as other states have made similar moves.
California spent nearly $100 million for its presidential primary on February 5, 2008, when 24 states, nearly half the nation, held nominating contests in a battle known as "Super Tuesday".
The results of the 2012 Democratic primary are preordained with President Barack Obama seeking a second term, said San Jose State University political scientist Larry Gerston.
"Most people in the state won't have much motivation" to vote, and state government doesn't need an extra bill, he said. Other states are also changing their primary plans, leaving California's influence on the Republican nomination unclear, he added. "It's just too early to say."
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
since tom mcclintock left for d.c.,
there are none.
This is California - somehow this benefits Hillary, or it wouldn't be happening.
It's rare that CA decides a primary...but by it's sheer size it could be the strongest impact if it went first.
The last time CA counted in a primary was when RFK was shot in '68.
With only Obama on the ballot to vote for, motivation may be very low in the democrat primary. Republicans on the other hand will be motivated. That gives us a chance to win one of the two slots in the general election, both of which might go to democrats if they were motivated to vote.
Most democrats here think that Sarah will be easier for Obama to beat than Romney. They may vote for her in the open primary. Be careful dems, she grows on you.
That over 12% of the American people perpetually have no say in who the nominee for either party will be just because they reside in one state is shameful. And because of winner-take-all we have no cachet with either party either since both parties know Democrats will win all its electoral votes.
We're nothing but an ATM.
The state is obscenely large. Too large. Even San Diego County has more people now than 20 states.
If split in two, as recently proposed, both halves of CA would still be Top 5 in state populations. One "red" state and one "blue" state.
When 13-16 million are held hostage without a responsive state government, something's got to change.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.