How do you feel about this year's Primary schedule?

[bicentennial_baby]

Poll question: How do you feel about this year's Primary schedule?

What do y'all think of this year's Primary/Caucus schedule and why? Too short? Too long? Other?

[plurality]

1. I don't like it

because it more or less makes Iowa and New Hampshire the deciding votes.

[OutlawCorporatePolls]

11. I like it. California is early...

...and dean will CRUSH kerry and send him on to the nomination.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi OutlawCorporatePolls!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[progressivebydesign]

2. I'm explaining my "other" vote.

I think the entire system is flawed. Too much emphasis is placed on Iowa and New Hampshire. If the South is critical to a candidate's success, then it should be treated equally. D.C. should get a real vote for heaven's sake!!! Too much money and effort is placed on IA and NH. We could lose valuable candidates early. To save money, and give equal time, all primaries should be held the same day. Period. IA and NH should not get to decide for us who stays in the race.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. I agree

I really like the idea of a long campaign season with a natioal primary that includes all states and D.C.

[elsiesummers]

8. I agree - though I voted too long

I want a one day national primary - just like the general election.

IA and NH shouldn't carry so much weight - ridiculous.

If it was truely Democratic - we'd all get our say on the same day.

[arcos]

3. IA and NH should stop being first... n/t

[TopesJunkie]

4. The whole system stinks --

It should have been changed years ago. Too many people have no say in the party's nominee. That's not good for democracy, and it's not good for the party.

[GreenArrow]

6. don't like the 15 percent "viability" threshold

which basically tells 14.9 percent of the voters to go get screwed. A proportional division is more equitable.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. One day national caucus/primary/steel cage match

That would certianly get rid of the disproportinate influence that some states have.

[teevee99]

10. amen amen amen amen amen amen

amen

[MrSlayer]

9. We should all go at once.

Choosing earlier allows us to direct the fight where it's really needed.

[OneCanDream]

12. Set up the Primaries Regionally

Primary season should be 12 weeks.
Let Iowa and NH go first as they do.
Then divide the other 48 into 6 regions of 8 states.

Then starting week 3 have one state from each region have their primary. For example week 3 could see WA, AZ, OK, WI, SC, CT, hold their primaries.
This would eliminate the home field advantage somewhat and eliminate a regional bias that might favor one candidate over another.
I would like to see a couple "week offs" where there is not primary. It should not be 10 straight weeks.
Each region should contain 1 mega state...TX, CA, NY, IL, FL, and PA maybe. Effort should be made to spread the primary dates of the mega states out a little.

I certainly see an advantage of having the candidates have to see their ideas challenged and evaluated by the individual states over time.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi OneCanDream!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Adjoran]

13. Too short

McAuliffe pushed the frontloaded schedule to get an early nominee. It's a risky strategy.

Remember 1992? Clinton didn't really sew it up until May, and was polling third at that time behind Perot and Bush.

Most Americans don't pay attention to the Presidential campaign until the fall, so the "extra time" gained by early primaries is of doubtful benefit.

I think we need a rotating schedule, so every state eventually gets to be early, and must vote late in another year.

[THUNDER HANDS]

14. it's fine

I like it rapid-fire. Of course, I might feel different if I were another candidate's supporter. :)

[SangamonTaylor]

17. well, the first few states definately need more minority representation

[tedoll78]

18. If I had my way..

the primary "season" would officially consist of one national election day. One day where all states hold their primaries. Over and done, no more fighting, no more damage to the candidates, and dignified. And if no one ends-up with enough delegates, there could be trades over who gets the VP spot.