Suggestion to the DNC for the 08 primaries

[Stinky The Clown]

Besides all the great threads about Cindy Sheehan's courageous stand in Crawford (God bless you, Cindy!), there seem to be a few threads coming up about what the DNC might do with respect to the schedule for the 08 primaries.

I would like to suggest we pick small 'microcosmic' states. Two that come to mind are Maryland and Connecticut, both for much the same reasons.

An involved population with higher than the national average educational levels (we need primaries that have aware/awake people voting)

A mix of ethnic diversity that mirrors the national numbers

A mix of urban, suburban, and rural populations that, again, mirrors the national averages

Labor (ideally unionized) and labor sympathizers and management and management sympathizers

A small enough area that retail politics is easily possible and sufficiently small that even a poorly funded candidate can get some traction.

A mostly local media, not media beamed in from a neighboring state (this point favors Maryland over Connecticut)

A diverse voting history (both Maryland and Connecticut are 'blue' states, but have republican statehouses)

Personally (and, honestly, NOT because I live here) I favor Maryland. In addition tot he above, Maryland is a border state with large areas more indicative of the south, yet with urban and suburban areas that are far closer to the north in style and outlook. It also has a large population of transplants, so, truly, the entire nation's regional outlooks are now woven into the fabric of the state's culture.

Some other possible early 'microcosmic' states ... but all to a lesser degree than CT or MD ...... South Carolina, Nevada, or Arizona. The downside for each is a bit less broad-spectrum demographic diversity and large geographic areas to cover. The have as a strong pluses, populations that include many transplants from other areas of the country.

Of ........ if there's a worry about pissing off NH or Iowa, reschedule both NH and IA on the same day, and then schedule one of these new state's primary on that same day and have all three simultaneously. No one loses their 'first' status and we get a new dynamic that has a chance of being more representative of the national view.

....... or not ......

[Donna Zen]

1. Don't the states decide?

I have to completely redo my post. I thought the states voted on when they would hold their primaries.

[OzarkDem]

2. Makes for expensive primaries

having the candidates raise enough money to run early campaigns in so many states.

[Donna Zen]

3. Sorry that I redid my post.

Yes, it does make for expensive primaries, which means that the most money upfront is the winner.

Anyway, I've seen articles coming in from various posters, that their state was moving up its primary. It seems to be getting worse not better, especially with the MSM treating this as a horse race as opposed to a possible serious national debate.

And don't get me started on those "battle of the soundbites."

[marbuc]

4. Correction

I don't know about Connecticut, but Maryland's statehouse has a Dem majority. The Governor is Bobby Ehrlich, a Republican. Am I the last person that likes the tradition of the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary? Sure, they are granted more relevance than they probably deserve, but they're fun, and each symbolizes grass roots politics at its best. I don't see a need to change.

[Donna Zen]

7. An actual primary vote

rather than a caucus to begin the process would be more inclusive. I run my Maine caucus and it doesn't attract as many people as a primary election would. Iowa, if it wishes to remain first at least needs an actual primary.

[marbuc]

8. The caucus system represents the essence of grass roots

politics, and therefore I think it appropriate to start the campaign season in Iowa. We've been doing it this way for many years, why change? It's not hurting anything, and is a good kick off into the "meaningful" primaries; kind of like an exhibition game.

[leyton]

5. Another plus for MD is its proximity to the capital.

Senators who campaign there don't have to miss votes.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. For my money, that's a minus!

Save us from 'The Senators'.

Sorry, that was half joking ... but I sure do wish we look for other than some person who's been a careerist and is so ensconced inside the beltway and engrossed in 'inside baseball' they forget who the fucking voters are!

[madfloridian]

9. Here are the people Terry McAufliffe appointed. Their decision.

Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling
(Appointments by DNC Chairman Terrance R. McAuliffe)

Co-Chairs

Hon. Alexis Herman
Fmr. U.S. Secretary of Labor
Hon David Price
U.S. Representative, North Carolina

Members

Aida Alvarez
Fmr. Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

Vida Benavides

Donna Brazile
DNC At-Large Memeber & Fmr. DNC Rules & Bylaws Cmte. Co-Chair

Hon. Michael Coleman
Mayor of Columbus, Ohio

Roxanne Conlin
Fmr. President, American Trial Lawyers Association

Jerry Crawford
Fmr. State Chair, Iowa State Party

Hon. Lois DeBerry
DNC At-Large Member & Tennessee House Speaker Pro Tempore

Debbie Dingell
Michigan Democratic National
Committeewoman

Maria Echaveste
DNC At-Large Member

Cuauhtemo "Temo" Figueroa
Administrator, AFSCME Council 18

Hartina Flournoy
DNC At-Large Member & Fmr. DNC Rules & Bylaws Cmte. Co-Chair

Donald Fowler
DNC At-Large Member &
Fmr. DNC Chair

Jehmu Greene
President, Rock the Vote

Linda Honold
Chair, Wisconsin State Party

Harold Ickes
DNC At-Large Member

Carol Khare
Vice Chair, South Carolina State Party &
Co-Chair, DNC Rules & Bylaws Cmte.

Hon. Carl Levin
U.S. Senator, Michigan

Hon. Blanche Lincoln
U.S. Senator, Arkansas

Bill Lynch
Fmr. DNC Vice Chair

Hon. Kendrick Meek
U.S. Representative, Florida

Steve Murphy

Spencer Overton
Associate Professor of Law, The George Washington University Law School

Jim Pederson
Chair, Arizona State Party

Hon. Ed Rendell
Governor of Pennsylvania

James Roosevelt, Jr.
DNC At-Large Member & Co-Chair, DNCRules and Bylaws Cmte.

Delores Sibonga
Fmr. Seattle City Council

Hon. Jeanne Shaheen
Fmr. Gov. of New Hampshire

Hon. Terry Shumaker
Fmr. Ambassador to Trinidad & Exec. Dir., New Hampshire Education Association

Hon. Kathleen Sebelius
Governor of Kansas

Mike Stratton

Hon. Hilda Solis
U.S. Representative, California

Susan Swecker
Chair, DNC Southern Caucus

John Sweeney
President, AFL-CIO

Hon. Art Torres
Chair, California State Party

Ed Turlington

Hon. Jennifer Veiga
Colorado State Senate

Josh Wachs
DNC Chief Operating Officer

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Yanno .... another state that may make real sense to be early ........

is Ohio.

I clearly remember how idiot so's numbers went down when the primary debates were going on and our guys were bashing him non stop.

It might be good to have such a spectacle going on and seen on local teevee in Ohio.

Also, while a bit larger than Maryland or Connecticut, it is still small enough to be do retail politics.

Lots of local media, too. No import/beamed-in media to speak of.

[1932]

11. I agree with MD & Ohio.

But not so much CT.

How about Missouri and New Mexico?