PA Presidential primary frustration - question

[Number9Dream]

In my limited free time, I've been attempting to compare and contrast the Democratic Presidential candidates. (I'm disappointed that Gen. Wesley Clark and Al Gore have decided not to run). What is particularly frustrating is that I live in Pennsylvania. It appears that our April 22nd primary date is not going to be changed. I know from experience that by the time the PA primary rolls around, there will be only one Democratic candidate left, and it won't matter who I prefer. It's difficult to get very excited about a particular candidate, knowing that the odds are slim that I'll even get to vote for him or her. I realize that I can support a candidate financially, but if I never have the privilege of voting for them it's frustrating. Do any of my fellow Pennsylvanians share similar frustration, and how do PA DUers prevent apathy?

[JPZenger]

1. Concentrate on Key House Races

Yes, PA. will not have much of a role in the Dem. Primary.

Your best bet is to put your energies into one of the many competitive US House races. If you don't live in a competitive district, pick one nearby, and help out.

Also, the State House and Senate races will become very important. Whichever party controls the legislature that is in office after 2001 will control the layout of the US House districts. Through gerrymandering, it is easy to skew the House districts towards the Dems or the Republicans. It is a difference of 2 or 3 US House seats. PA. will probably lose one of its members of Congress in 2002, so that is vitally important.

If the Republicans control the Legislature, they can put 2 strong Democratic incumbents in the same House district, which they did in 1992.

[PADEMJES12]

5. I agree

There is so much you can do to help with a US House seat. Tim Murphy, Phil English, Jim Gerlach, and Charlie Dent motivates anyone to want to help out, and the campaigns will appreciate the help. There will be several close and hotly contested House seat battles the way it's shaping up.

Also, Yeah... when our primary is Apr 22 after all the states moving theirs up, it makes ours irrelevant because we have no impact on who goes to the dance. Why do FLA and MI think their special? Their leaders were well aware and defied democratic party rules, but their voters shouldnt have to suffer. Kind of a confusing situation.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. Try to weigh in on your candidate on DU forums for the states running the primaries...

Well, that's the best I can think of doing until we have run off voting and campaign finance reform!

[Eurobabe]

3. I am PA resident, but will be overseas, so I am voting in DemsAbroad

on Feb. 10 (?) At least my voice will be heard there. WTF is wrong with PA not moving their date up to March? Maybe I will write to the PA Dem Party and ask them what their reasoning is for keeping 4/22. It's bogus, all over by then. No voice for PA'ers.

[Cosmocat]

4. IMO ...

I think it would be hurrying to make the same mistake others are making ...

People are completely focused on it from a presidential election standpoint, but that is one of, literally thousands of offices that are up for election ... Moving the primary up that far REALLY limits the ability of new candidates to run for other offices ... I know this from my own experience running this last cycle of a county office ... I was new, and I needed every last day of that cycle to work to get my name up ...

I agree with the above post ... AT THIS TIME, we are getting pinched out on the presidential primary ... I HOPE that this mess this cycle helps people to get together to work it out a little better, but there are SO many other important races ... As noted, it is V I T A L to get enough dems in the house and senate to get redisctricting for the state done correctly ... PA is an embarrassment in that regard ... Local races are important too ...