If you are Democrat or Republican, the current, extended primary campaign season is a mess.
Despair with the Bush administration is so intense, this cycle's presidential primary began-- for voters, if not the candidates--two full years ago.
In normal times--which these are not--the extended primary season and all its jostling for advantage by individuals states, is considered a trial by fire and vetting process. The premise is that the battering contests reveal to the majority of voters the candidate best qualified to lead the nation.
I don't believe that is true. If anything, the current presidential cycle confirms that the way we elect our president has to be reformed.
Republicans elected John McCain to be the Republican nominee months ago. Nevertheless, even Republican voters took a very long time to make their decision.
Nothing was learned, or changed, about the Democratic challengers in the six week run-up to the Pennsylvania primary. If anything, the unresolved race has resulted in the mainstream media dissolving further into trivia and irrelevance. Only one purpose has been served: revenue for television advertisers, consultants, and networks.
Barack Obama joked that the Democratic primary is like a good movie that has gone on too long. But it is really like one of those marathon dances that makes for great entertainment but serves no practical purpose except rubber-necking.
Then, there is the money. The presidential election spectacle has turned into an unfair tax in which no one is really represented because money has blurred all distinction. This is as true for Republicans as it is for Democrats. Yet the dance goes on.
Why can't we have a limited campaign season?
The parties put up their candidates for a six week primary campaign, the states vote at the same time, and the top two contenders in respective parties embark on a final campaign of limited duration before a national election for president.
I'm not sure what the outcome of the Democratic Party's process will be, but I am sure that the outcome of this protracted process is damaging to the United States and all political persuasions.
4 comments:
A mess? No. To the contrary, its democracy in action.
Why not celebrate the fact that Pennsylvania’s voters had some influence in the party nominee for the first time since 1972. 1972! That is far too long to be marginalized by a political party. Who was running back then, Edwin Muskie? How many remember him? I do. (If I remember correctly, I saw him at Dante Facsell Park, but I was too young to vote).
I take exception to any comments by a candidate that the lengthy primary season is similar to a good movie that has gone on for far too long. Such a statement sounds elitist and anti-voter. Maybe we should simply trust the super delegates to make our decisions, after all, they are super delegates, another dilution of the popular votes and an entrenched mechanism to prevent any party nominee surprises.
I am done with New Hampshire and Iowa having far too much influence on who is elected president – those voters are irrelevant to me. Tradition? Ha.
I’d like to see Florida’s primary votes count (and properly counted). I went out there and voted on January 29th – no one can or will tell me to stay home. Is the DNC trying to make me change my party affiliation? To say that they were planning on seating the Florida delegates, but figuring that the race would be decided by then anyway is nothing short of an insult – seat them now, without reservation!
The elections are the opportunity for the people to speak. The votes are the only polls that count. I am happy to hear that the people of Pennsylvania had an opportunity to impact a primary. It’s about time! I congratulate the voters of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida who showed up and make a statement, regardless on how they voted.
P.S. (and BTW) no way did Shiver support Losner over Bell in Homestead. He was supporting Bell from the get-go.
Agree with everything except the post script.
Bell, Shiver, Losner....is there a big difference? I saw Bell suck up to Florida Power and Light. She might as well have jumped down a cooling tower she went so over-board. Breath of fresh air...not her.
I am tired and exhausted too. The people we elected in FL decided to break the rules, and understood up front what the consequences would be. This is how representative democracy works.
The super delegates need to close this thing down. Otherwise, Hillary will destroy the party and McCain will be a shoe-in. Maybe this was the plan all along.
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