Well, somebody's pissed about the caucuses....and not just Iowa's Caucuses

[Debi]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Not_a_fan_of_caucuses_in_general_actually.html#comments

Sorry Seth x(

[IA_Seth]

1. Well...

What can ya do, I don't expect every politician I support to agree with me on everything, and honestly, I think she has a point to a certain degree.

I like the caucus process. I prefer it over a primary. That said, it is frustrating to think that those serving in the military, those that work the night shift, or those that are unable to find child care are unable to participate.

Is that a reason to scrap the process entirely? I don't think so. I do think that we could do something to allow those people to have their preference counted.

A ballot with where the absentee could rank the candidates? I don't know. I haven't thought it out completely, but I do think that there must be something that could be done to have these voices heard.

[Debi]

2. Like in a primary?

A caucus is a group consensus - it is a preference, not a vote. You know that, Seth. It's pretty damn hard to disenfranchise a voter who has not gone out to vote...and nobody on January 3rd voted...not a one of us.

But I think we now see where a Clinton Administration places Iowa when it comes to the 2012 calendar. That should be our biggest concern.

[IA_Seth]

3. Not a primary..

Do you at least see where some people are coming from when they express concern over those that aren't able to attend the caucus?

A caucus is a group consensus, but what if that group is incomplete (because of military service, childcare, health, etc.)? I like our process, you know that. But I do think it isn't as effective as it could be if we were able to come up with a way to include more people.

Is there anything you think we can change to make the process better?

[Debi]

4. The only way to ensure that everyone gets 'a vote' is a primary

the group that attends caucus is already incomplete b/c of so few people that DO attend. (How many who were able to attend this time around didn't?)

[Hardrada]

5. We know people who were perfectly able to go and caucus

but who, for reasons known only to themselves and, presumably, their Creator, failed to make an appearance.

[Debi]

7. So, because they didn't participate, the outcome of the caucuses

weren't a true representation of the all the Democrats (and no party voters and republican turned Democrats for the night) in Iowa.

How do we rectify this problem? :shrug:

[Hardrada]

10. Caucusing must be mandatory

or a fine of $82.53 will be charged (including court costs).

[Debi]

11. Poll Tax! n/t

[IA_Seth]

12. How about scheduling it on a weekend?

I know at least a handful of 2nd shift workers that weren't able to attend the caucus due to it being held on a weeknight.

Granted, this certainly wouldn't allow EVERYONE to attend, but I'd argue that there are fewer people working on a Saturday night than are working Monday through Friday.

I understand that there are probably more people that are ABLE to attend that DIDN'T, than there are people who WANTED to attend and COULDN'T.. but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to make our process as inclusive as possible. If reaching to be more inclusive changes some time-honored traditions, so be it. At least in my opinion.

Like I said, I don't think scrapping the caucus process entirely is necessary (or even diserable). I've argued our case plenty of times both online and in person and I do enjoy the way we do things... but I DO think that there are changes that could be made to improve our system and that we should always be trying to change for the better.

Moving it to the weekend might be a first step.

There has to be something you'd change, isn't there?

[Debi]

13. I think a Saturday would be great

as long as it fits in w/New Hampshire (and we don't go on a Saturday and then New Hampshire goes Tuesday - but goes the next Tuesday). Obviously people working on a Saturday won't be able to attend compared to those who work 2nd shift so all we're doing is switching WHO won't be in attendance. Also, maybe Nevada's At-Large caucus is something to be looked at - we'll have to see how it all turns out this weekend to see if it is something we should consider.

What would I change about the Caucuses? That all the young people who showed up in 2008 would have showed up in 2004 and Howard Dean would be our President right now! Beyond that ....

[CoffeeCat]

16. Could Iowa have two "caucus events"...

...one on Saturday, during the day and one on Saturday evening?

That way, the process would be preserved, but two different times would give
people who work the opportunity to attend.

[Debi]

17. Hmmmmmm I wonder

:think:

Could we rent all the sites for a full day? Could we get the Chairs and Secretaries to stay through two shifts?

[Counciltucky]

6. This may be an amazingly stupid question...

...but could it be possible to have a combination primary/caucus? For the people who just want to vote and that's it, they can do the primary (with booths open from 7am-9pm), and for the people who like the give-and-take and party-building of the caucus system, they can do the caucus.

Personally, I like the caucus as is and don't feel any desire to change it, but I'm just throwing ideas out there.

[Debi]

8. Realigment in a Primary?

How would that work?

And how would New Hampshire feel about Iowa holding a psuedo-primary? (Not that THAT should be a deciding factor).

[Counciltucky]

9. There'd be no realignment on the primary side.

The votes would be the votes. And I'm not saying this is a *good* idea -- just trying to think outside the box.

[Blappy]

14. caucusing is not a perfect system

we all know - there are some who are afraid of it, and / or don't understand it to be sure. If Iowa is to maintain its 1st in the nation status, maybe we could include an "entry poll" with a top 3 preference listing on the way in to the caucus. Then caucus as usual. Both results would be / remain interesting and relevant. Sign in (or register), fill out your top 3 in order, drop it in a box and then have at it with the breakout. I kinda like the idea. Anyone else?

[Debi]

15. So basically a primary with a 'second' and 'third' choice option?

Instant Run-off Voting?