Nevada Caucus Question

[gdaerin]

Why did only about 10,500 people caucus in Nevada today? Isn't that kind of a small number for one of these things?


Does anybody else think that's not a really representative number?

[tekisui]

1. I've been wondering that too.

Especially with mittster getting over 17,000 votes.

[Kittycat]

2. I thought that was very strange as well.

[ozone_man]

3. It highlights the failure of the caucus system.

The Republican primary had four times as many voters, over 42,000. I think the caucus system should be ended. It is not democratic.

[gdaerin]

4. I really don't understand

Is Nevada a red state, is it predominantly Republican? Were independants not allowed to caucus?

This does not bode well for the democrats. The republicans caucused at almost a rate of 4 to 1 versus the democrats!
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/US_Page_0119_VD.html?SITE=CSPANELN&SECTION=POLITICS

Now I'm worried about the GE, the democrats Have to attract the independant voters over whoever the republicans choose!

[ursi]

5. they are saying it was 107,000 turnout

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whose political strength wrestled Nevada into position for the early window slot, has endured three months of gentle ridicule for predicting in October that 100,000 Democrats would caucus. Today, he should be singing "I told you so, I told you so."

Instead here is his statement:

"Today's caucus was a tremendous success. Well over 100,000 Nevadans got out and made their voices heard, including 69 in my hometown of Searchlight. I congratulate the Nevada Democratic Party for doing such a great job and extend my sincere appreciation to all the staff and volunteers who made Nevada proud."

http://www.rgj.com/blogs/inside-nevada-politics/2008/01/harry-reids-vindication.html

[Essene]

6. Those are delegates

It's 5 voters for 1 delegate in most counties. In Vegas, it's apparently like 50:1 except at the "at large" polling stations setup for workers who cant get home to vote. In those places, the ratio depends on how many turn out, ranging from 8-50 to 1.

[gdaerin]

7. Ok, Whew! Good, I was really worried for a second!

ok, so the Democrats caucused almost 3 people for every Repug, that is good!