Letters to the Editor
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I don't know diddley about how you democrats slice and dice things amonst yourselves...
...but I as an independent, will only vote for Obama, and the way things have been goin', I won't be alone.
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TP: Lessons
The lesson of Adams, for those few watching who know little of American history, is that these amazing, tremendous characters were deeply flawed men. That is the cool part, or the divine providence, as they would say back then. That means there's still hope for us.
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yes Mr. Shawn, Hillary is not losing by much
But why blame the left for not getting with the center? Why not blame the center for not getting with the left?
But by all means...blame, blame, blame.
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peeps
Thanks for your comments. I tend to agree.
You wrote:
Certainly I think we ALL agree there is room for improvement but what I don't want myself is:
1. One big primary all on the same day. Nope. Big population states will simply swamp small ones. Regional primaries however might work.
Good point on the big states. I like the regional idea also but I read an interesting response to that notion by someone who felt that rotating which region went first would not likely sell with the indivual states. (Everyone wants to be first and no one wants to wait for 16 years to go first again)
Then I heard the Repubs were thinkering on a notion they call an 'inverse pyramid' where the small states start first and then work up to the big states. I don't know enough about that one to hold an opinion but it seems interesting. I guess it all says that there is no silver bullet here.
2. Open primaries need to go.
After watching the rush limbaugh effect in motion I am tending to agree. But I live in a state (Oregon) that does not let Independents vote in primaries. I used to register Independent, way back in the day before the ultra conservatives drove the few moderate Repubs from the party. (no McCain is not a moderate!) It was a nusicance to re register if I felt I wanted to vote in a primary, so I understand the movement to open them. But these primaries where its all open, just walk in and ask for a ballot are clearly monkey wrench city and its no good! So I feel that it matters to let independents vote in either but not to let R's Or D's vote in each others. Still does leave room for monkey wrenching, though not quite as much because fewer people will cross vote if you have to go and change party registration. Some still will ....but not as many.
(case in point....a few days ago in the Oregonian, ultra right leaning editor Dave Reinhard spent his column urging R's to re register and be 'DummoCrats' for a day just to mess with em. ARGHHH. so wrong, for either party to act like that. However the Sec of State so far says there is no stampede in process to do so.)
3. I don't have a problem with caucuses. I find them interesting.
Me too! I watched an Iowa caucus on C-span this year for the first time (I gotta get a life!) and I thought it was great! Face to face neighbors working it out!
4. I understand there was probably a need for Superdelegates but they probably should go. However they should vote their conscience now as that is their duty.
Been mulling that for some weeks too. I can see some valid reasons why they exist. The R's keep a pool of uncommitted as well. But I also see the chance for them to vote abusivly or to be bullied to vote a certain way. Just had a thought in this Salon.....what if the DNC says that in the future any superdelegates must remain neutral till the end of primaries? And further that no candidate is allowed to call and cajole till after primary? Keep em....but keep em on the side out of the fray. Too naive and hopefull? Ahhh but I just don't want to live without hope. Gotta keep trying!
Enjoy!
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Form a circle, Ready, Aim, Fire
I like the regional idea also but I read an interesting response to that notion by someone who felt that rotating which region went first would not likely sell with the indivual states. (Everyone wants to be first and no one wants to wait for 16 years to go first again)
Maybe the DNC could eliminate the whole region if a state jumps the line.
Latest repub talking point: "And you want these people who designed the democratic primary process running your healthcare???"
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Anti Momentum
I realize that the Supreme Court has ruled money is free speech but there is nothing stopping the Democrats from forcing mandatory spending limits on their candidates during the primaries. That way every candidate starts out on an equal footing and it opens the process up to people who don't have a lot of money. It actually would generate more money for the media as more people could compete. Nothing would prevent a candidate who could raise a lot of money from raising as much as they wanted during the general election and they could bank whatever they raised. The party must address those open primaries and do something about people changing their registration just to influence the vote as they are doing in Pennsylvania. Its crazy to allow the opposing party to choose your nominee. Finally, the caucus system is a cattle call that serves no purpose. Its undemocratic and can be manipulated by a small number of people. Its time for small states to go to a vote by mail system. For states that insist on keeping the caucus system they should get less delegates because the system excludes so many people.
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Because, John Anderson the left cannot win elections on the votes of lefties.
About 20% MAYBE of the voting electorate identifies itself as liberal. Another 30-33% identifies as conservative hard righties. So right there you're outnumbered by at least 10-15%.
Therefore without the swing voters Dems won in 2006 and are certainly not going to get with Obama as a nominee, (Christ he's had to get record numbers of Republicans to re-register as Dems in Penn just to ensure he DOES lose) there's not even a prayer a hard leftie like Obama is going to win an election.
I mean how many times do you have to play this game before you get it? You want to convince people? How are you going to do that, by insisting people who aren't racist (of all folks for crying out loud the Clintons) are racist? By sticking up for Iraq instead of New York City? By going on a long liberal racial guilt trip as there's a net job loss of 85,000 every month and gas at 3.25 a gallon and climbing? You're going to convince scores of us to join you when you won't set foot in any pillars of the community from schools to churches to veteran legion halls. Right. We'll all meet at indie film festival coffee shops in Berkely and win over America!
You far lefties are like shipwrecked ghosts. You fight the same fight with the same failed strategy every time over and over and over and over. And over. It never changes. Then you wonder why scores of Democrats get disgusted and declare themselves independents.
And then you have the audacity to blame the center left! Unbelievable!