We should be ashamed of the way our primary system is setup.

[drray23]

The first two states in the primary contest are heavily majority white. The backbone of the party is largely made up of African Americans. Basically, we are saying let the white people decide what's best, you black guys should just vote for whomever we choose (for the record, I am white).

I watched some of the footage coming out of Iowa that night. I'm not sure I saw any black person in the crowd ( maybe I missed it ? ).

For a party that is supposed to be inclusive, I find that offensive.
Could not we come up with a better scheme ?

[HarlanPepper]

1. Our whole system sucks

Campaigns that are two years long. Constant annoying repetitive tv ads. A lot of yelling and screaming. It really is an ugly way to do things.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. +1

[mikewv]

3. Agree (nm)

*

[relayerbob]

4. Agreed 100%

My wife and I actually tried to see some black people in the pictures. Couple that with the fact that mostly activists that have basically nothing else to do show up, and it is perhaps the least representative setup possible.

[bluedye33139]

5. The states determined to go first are problematic

And the whole cycle gets dragged forward as states compete to see who goes first. It's atrocious. I would be a lot more comfortable if the primaries were held approximately a month before the convention. And I don't see a need for them to be staggered.

[Mr.Bill]

6. The footage I saw out of Iowa

looked more like a frat party than an election.

[emmaverybo]

7. As shameful as setup is many here perfectly content with it and now contend we (whites)

Last edited Fri Feb 7, 2020, 03:25 AM - Edit history (2)

need not worry about “the AA vote” as “they” have no choice but to come out to vote against Trump—that’s the kicker.

[drray23]

8. Yeap I saw that. I found it quite hypocritical or worse..nt.

[emmaverybo]

12. I am just glad I am not the only one to spot it. Seems glaring, the hypocrisy--yeah, or worse...

[oldsoftie]

9. Delegates win nominations. Iowa & New Hampshire have very few.

Starting in larger states would hamper lesser knowns from ever having a chance to get noticed, because it would cost a TON more money to campaign in more populous states.
So make the primaries closer together; that way it doesnt drag on for months & people get tired of EVERYONE

[judeling]

10. Actually the structure only needs some tweaks

The problem isn't so much the Idea behind the first 4 as much as it is how the media treats them. Taken together the first four states in the process are a fair enough representation of the country.

I will also say that in a crowded field a caucus actually tells us some thing that a primary cannot, and that is how second choices play out.

Now Super Tuesday has gotten to big but that is a different issue.

Why for smaller states to start? So that money and Name ID do not become a bar to entry. Having them regional also makes some very good sense.

But Iowa and New Hampshire have become the be all gate keepers. But a simple fix would change that. Make the first four more equal.

Have Nevada and Iowa caucus on the same Saturday at the end of July and New Hampshire and South Carolina go on the same day a week later. If New Hampshire still insists one going first then they can move to Monday with South Carolina the next night.

But that would still allow unknowns to develop a following but force the media to look at them all as a group and let the region drive different issues. It also allows campaigns that survive to have 3 weeks to gear up for the more national Super Tuesday.

[demosincebirth]

11. I've always said it was stupid. It's a waste of money and time. We should

have the primary all on one day or two

[emmaverybo]

13. Absolutely. That way a state or two would not unduly influence the entire election. Do it like

the GE but restrict to registered Dems.

[Lexblues]

14. Vestiges of white supremacy

Even in our party, old habits die hard. No one has the courage to let POC actually have a say in our nomination process. I'm disgusted that winning IA and NH is soooo important. Why? Why should their vote weigh more than mine? It's ridiculous. Hell, my state of Kentucky is actually more diverse than IA and NH. At least we have both rural areas and urban centers with significant minority populations. We have affluent suburban centers outside of Cincinnati and poor areas of Appalachia. We have it all.