Iowa caucuses are 'important because they're first' - but are they democratic?

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) Iowans are set to brave subzero temperatures on Monday when they arrive at their caucus sites at 7pm to formally kick off the process to choose their nominee.

In terms of pure numbers, the Iowa caucuses won’t have much of a role in determining who the Republican nominee is. The state allocates 40 delegates in the Republican nominating contest, roughly just 1.6% of the more than 2,400 that are up for grabs. But that small total belies the outsized influence the state can have on US presidential politics.

....(snip)....

While Republicans are proceeding as usual with their first-in-the-nation caucuses, Democrats have chosen to shake up their calendar this year. In a largely symbolic move since there is no competitive Democratic primary, the Democratic National Committee has stripped Iowa’s caucuses of their first-in-the-nation status after mounting concerns that the overwhelmingly white state does not reflect the makeup of the party. But a battle over Iowa’s status probably looms for 2028, when there will be a competitive primary.

....(snip)....

Allowing Iowa to go first, critics argued, gave outsized importance to a state that is overwhelmingly white and did not reflect the base of the Democratic party. It also brought a surge of Democratic attention to a state where Republicans have dominated in recent years (Trump won Iowa in 2020 by more than eight points). The push was exacerbated in 2020 when the Iowa Democratic party botched the release of the caucus results. ............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/13/why-is-iowa-caucus-first-important-democratic

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Caucuses are NOT democratic

First, Iowa is a meaningless state with respect to predicting anything. Iowa and New Hampshire are both 90+% white and do not represent the demographics of the country and especially do NOT represent the demographics of the Democratic Party. I really do not care who wins in Iowa.

Second caucuses are undemocratic. Texas used to have the Texas two step where two thirds of the delegates were selected in a primary and one-third in a caucus that took place that night. I ended up running the caucus for my precinct in 2008 which was the last year Texas had the Texas two step. It was a much simpler process compared to Iowa but I was there until almost 11 PM doing the paperwork and calling in the results.

For the next step which was the county convention, the Obama team brought down the team that ran the Iowa caucus and I learned some tricks to increase the number of delegates. There are some fun game-theory type games that increase the number of delegates awarded at the county convention level.

I was happy to get rid of the Texas two step.

[SYFROYH]

2. If its what the Iowans want, then so be it.

It's becoming less important with each presidential election cycle.

[Indykatie]

3. I Don't Care if Iowans Want Their Caucus. It's Unfair to the Dem Base.

The Media and political types place great emphasis on the outcome of IA and NH. Those nearly all White states have been allowed to set the narrative on who are viable candidates before any state with significant numbers of AAs have even voted. Candidates need to demonstrate they can attract and energize AA voters if they are to have any chance at winning. Biden was almost knocked from the race because he didn't win in IA or NH. What a tragedy that would have been. I'm thrilled Dems finally reordered the primary calendar.

[brooklynite]

6. I don't care about the Dem Base...

I care about picking the candidate who’s most competitive in November. I also care about giving lesser known and funded candidate a chance to break out the pack.

[Indykatie]

8. The Candidate Who Will Be Most Competitive Is the One With the Biggest Support Among AAs

[BannonsLiver]

11. When's the last time a candidate with bootstrap fundraising "broke out of the pack"?

You’re living in another era, my dude.

[Groundhawg]

4. yes they are democratic.

[GuppyGal]

5. Our vote is our own and it's supposed to be cast in private ...this whole thing is beyond STUPID and no longer

necessary. It should stop and they should vote like normal fucking people.

[brooklynite]

7. Which one wasn't a "real" Democrat.

2020: Pete Buttigieg
2016: Hillary Clinton
2008: Barack Obama
2004: John Kerry
2000: Al Gore

[Indykatie]

10. Obama Was the Only Winner in That Group Because Of He Energized AA Support

[tritsofme]

9. No, caucuses are inherently undemocratic. They should be banned as a method of selecting Democratic delegates.