Strapped states are forgoing primaries

[Judi Lynn]

Nov. 9, 2003, 8:50PM

Strapped states are forgoing primaries
By ROBERT TANNER
Associated Press
PUNTED PRIMARIES
• COLORADO -- Abolished 2004 presidential primary to save $2 million.
• KANSAS -- Canceled scheduled April 6 primary to save $1.75 million, and because lawmakers believed it would be held too late to have much influence.

• MAINE -- Eliminated primary; both caucuses and primaries were relied on in the past to choose delegates to national convention.

• NEW MEXICO -- Allowed parties to hold a February caucus for presidential nominations. June primary will still be held for local and state elections.

• UTAH -- Scrapped presidential primary after the last one drew only 10 percent of the electorate. Democrats will hold their own primary on Feb. 24 using private funds.

• WASHINGTON -- Considering proposal to eliminate the March 2 primary at a special session in December. Democratic Gov. Gary Locke says primary "serves no practical purpose" because party caucuses will choose delegates.

Several states have moved to drop their presidential primaries next year, worried about costs in still-tight financial times and wondering if the political exercise would serve any purpose.

Some say they can't afford the millions of dollars it costs to put on an election. Others say the decisions reflect the lopsided nature of modern primaries: The front-runner gets anointed by the media and campaign donors after the first few state primaries and the rest of the primaries are formalities. (snip)

(snip) So far, Kansas, Colorado and Utah -- all with Republican-controlled legislatures -- have canceled their state-run 2004 primaries. Republican legislatures tried unsuccessfully to drop primaries in Arizona and Missouri, but Democratic governors either vetoed the primary bill or restored the funding. (snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2212367

[leetrisck]

1. Find this very disturbing and I think

there are several more states considering this.

[Systematic Chaos]

2. You're damn straight it's "disturbing"!!!

Sounds like just one more affront against our established democratic process to me.

I don't care how relevant or pertinent people say the primaries are. Unless a clear majority of Americans are in favor of scrapping them, provided they actually UNDERSTAND the ramifications of doing so, then the primaries should go on!

[James T. Kirk]

3. This is part of a scary trend!

This is part of a scary trend. Supposedly democratically elected governments are always complaining that they can't afford elections. Examples:

Florida counties: Sorry, we can't afford good voting machines.

California recall: Sorry, we already have a deficit. I don't see how we could possibly have a constitutionally mandated election.

And now this!

Elections should be line item NUMBER ONE in every state and county budget.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Republicans, once again, trying to manipulate the situation

under the guise of budget concerns. It's the old "crowding out" strategy. Nothing to see, move on folks.

[dofus]

5. At least this year in Kansas we're having

caucuses. We didn't even have a primary the last electon cycle or two.

And caucuses are wonderful direct participation democracy, and an opportunity for some people who are not already party insiders to go to the national convention. Personally, I've wanted to go to the convention ever since I went through the caucus process in Colorado in 1988, and I finally have the chance again.

Plus, the caucus system is a very good way to get out your fellow candidate supporters to attend their caucus and get delegates for that person.

March 13 is the date here in Kansas.

[BiggJawn]

6. Why have a Primary when the party candidate is un-opposed?

THAT is the "trend" that bothers me more. F'instance, here in Indiana, Shrub's bud Mitch Daniel throws in , and Dave McIntosh immediately bails out and "throws his support" to Mitch. Joe Kernan comes back into the race, and first Joe Andrew (OK, so it's "not official" yet) and now Vi Simpson are considering dropping out and "throwing their support behind Joe"

What's the matter, people? Not sure you've got what it takes to be "The Dude"?

No primary, no caucus, no convention....Just do it all behind closed doors and give the Voters a "Wall-Mart" choice (IOW, one-size-fits-most fuck you very much)

What if I like Vi Simpson more than Joe Kernan? What if some ReTHUG out there considers Mitch an "outsider" and wants another choice? It's gone. Take it or leave it.

Ralph Nader feeds like a vampire on that kind of discontent...

[MaineDem]

7. Maine is going BACK to caucuses

The Dem State Committee decided to do this so that more grassroots people could be involved in the process. When I first voted back in the 70s there was no primary. The primary only started within the last few presidential election cycles, maybe 1992.

This is only for Presidential Preference. Other slots will be filled at a primary so it's not a money issue.

Our caucus rules allow for voting by mail.

[brainshrub]

8. States put a price-tag on Democracy

sick.

[bleedingheart]

9. Don't they still have to have local primaries?

Every May we have our primary in PA. We still have local offices that need to be settled.

In fact this coming May's primary we will see if the right wing flake Toomey will beat single bullet Specter.

[MaineDem]

12. Yes, local primary will still occur

I can only speak for Maine.

It's only presidential preference that's decided at caucus. Other state positions will still be selected at a Primary, in June I believe.

[BiggJawn]

13. No, we dont.

Another trend, tieing into the one I mentioned earlier.
We had NO primary this past May, and no election in most of the county last week because with the exception of 2 town's mayoral races, there was NO OPPOSITION for the offices that were up for re-election...

What incredible apathy....And No, I'm not interested in running. the "Field Day" the Rethugs could have with just my financial life would be a scandal of mythic proportions, never mind my screwing history...

[He loved Big Brother]

10. I think I'm going to cry.

And we just gave 3 billion to Boeing. What school is Gary Locke coming from, thinking he can sail by with that delusional excuse??

[loudnclear]

11. What better way to undermine true democracy than huge tax cuts

for the wealthy. Bankrupt the democratic government and the oligarch will truly be able to reign. Thanks, Bush. Thanks Rush. Thank Hannity. Thanks, dittoheads. Thanks, spineless Democrats and hypocritical neocons! We have all of you to thank.

[Skidmore]

14. And we still have not taken to the streets, just as we didn't in

2000 when this coup took place.