Tue
Sep 2 2008
03:18 pm
Democrats to overhaul primary process
By: R. Neal

One interesting piece of business from the Democratic National Convention was a resolution by the Rules and Bylaws Committee to make recommendations for improving the primary process.

Prompted by Sen. Obama, the RBC proposes to establish a "Democratic Change Commission" within 60 days of electing the next DNC Chair and for the commission to present its recommendations for the 2012 election to the RBC no later than Jan. 1, 2010.

The commission will consist of 35 members, charged with making recommendations on the timing of primaries and caucuses, improved formulas for allocation of elected delegates, reducing the number of unpledged super delegates, and improving the delegate selection process in states that use caucuses.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

Topics:
Brian A.'s picture

The proportionate delegate

Submitted by Brian A. on Tue, 2008/09/02 - 4:44pm.

The proportionate delegate allocation formula needs changed. It doesn't offer a large enough reward to candidates for winning states.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

R. Neal's picture

I tend to agree. If we're

Submitted by R. Neal on Tue, 2008/09/02 - 4:48pm.

I tend to agree. If we're going to keep the electoral college, it might be appropriate for primaries to be winner take all state by state.

The party should also do away with caucuses altogether, in my opinion. Not sure how that might interfere with various state laws.

Anonymous's picture

Caucuses

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2008/09/02 - 5:50pm.

Caucuses are nice because they hedge (very slightly) the value of name recognition. Rather, Caucuses place a little more value on "vigor of support".

They are also beneficial because voters are more likely to vote for the candidate they prefer, at least on the first vote. Voters can vote for a long shot candidate without reservation, and then later move their vote to another candidate once it becomes clear their preferred candidate doesn't have enough votes to win.

Brian A.'s picture

I won't go as far as winner

Submitted by Brian A. on Tue, 2008/09/02 - 9:23pm.

I won't go as far as winner take all, but there should be more of a premium awarded the winner. As it is now, the winner has to get a supermajority to get any kind of separation from the runners up.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

Paul Witt's picture

From what I've heard from

Submitted by Paul Witt on Wed, 2008/09/03 - 5:10pm.

From what I've heard from those that have been through a caucus (I haven't) they're a fun experience. I wish more states had them. They reward people that actually pay attention to the issues and organize their wards.

bizgrrl's picture

When they gave us the right

Submitted by bizgrrl on Wed, 2008/09/03 - 6:28pm.

When they gave us the right to vote did they say anything about having to pay attention to the issues and organize?

I don't care for the caucus method of voting. Do they allow absentee voting for a caucus? Even if I did pay attention and organize, I'm pretty sure I'd be quite unhappy if I did all the work then had to go out of town on business and miss the vote, or some other reason came up that I could not participate.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

    State News

    Wire Reports

    Lost Medicaid Funding

    To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

    Search and Archives