Our next President is...

latest Iowa poll (0.00 / 0)

Bleeding Heartland has the latest poll show a 3-way dead tie for the Dems in Iowa. 19% of those polled also said they still change their mind. The crazy caucus system with 15% / 25% candidate viability thresholds and the opportunity to brokering deals to move "fractional votes" around add to polling unpredictability.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 23:39:45 PM UTC

The Caucus System Sucks... (4.00 / 1)

and it really doesn't prove anything.  Its amazing to me how much credence the mainstream talking heads seem to put on these early absolutely meaningless events in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  

Instead of tromping on populated states that moved their primaries up to compete with Iowa and New Hampshire the DNC should have let them have their way.  I say screw tradition, and let the states change things around any way they want to.

West Virginia's primary vote meant something back in the 1960 election.  Unfortunately our electoral votes did mean something in the stolen election of 2000. Our late primary keeps local candidates running well into the election year. Maybe it too should be moved up to like Super Tuesday.

I believe that Super Tuesday will actually mean something this year if the candidates hang in there and don't give up just because the press wants to name a victor early on in the race.  

I also believe that the main stream media will continue to look for ways to force candidates out of the race, and to scrutinize every word said looking for the gaffe of death (ala Howard Dean's co called crazy laugh of joy).  

At least we aren't dealing with smoke filled rooms at the convention.  We also should make candidates run for VP rather than having them picked by the Presidential nominee... look at Al Gore's screw up in picking Lieberman, and G.W. Bush letting Dick Cheney pick himself.  

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by: wvblueguy @ Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 01:49:04 AM UTC

States should rotate (0.00 / 0)

I take small solace in the fact that via new media, like the blogging at OpenLeft and Iowa state bloggers as an example, there is even more awareness of exactly how the caucus system works. The more information that is out there, the more obvious the need for reform, and the more pressure that may come to bear next cycle.

I'm okay with the DNC trying to enforce its rules this cycle, if only because it may have some leverage to change the rules next cycle. Time will tell if it works out that way. I like the idea of something like monthly regional groupings with the order rotated every four years. I fear that a Democrat in the White House could end up diminishing pressure on the Dem side for major primary calendar reform.

I agree with you 100% about Lieberman and Cheney being bad picks. When Kerry picked Edwards, my estimation of Kerry went up considerably. Unfortunately, it seems that Kerry didn't listen to Edwards all that much.

Still, I'm not so sure about the election of a VP. I suppose it really depends on what role you view the VP having. That's a really fuzzy issue now with the expanded executive powers and "fourth branch" theories (so far unchecked by Congress or courts) of Dick Cheney. If the position requires close collaboration with the President there is something to be said for the President being able to pick them.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 13:10:09 PM UTC

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when you are up to your ass in alligators (0.00 / 0)

it is hard to think about draining the swamp.

we don't campaign with the system we'd like, we campaign with the system we have.

Let's keep our eye on Democratic GOTV and work on the system after we have a progressive president (hopefully) and a veto-proof progressive Democratic majority in Congress.

Also, among the alligators this week is the Bhutto assassination - it may well affect the early primaries.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, THEN YOU WIN! - Gandhi

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by: jlozier @ Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 14:07:16 PM UTC

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