A change in 2020 on caucuses

[Andy823]

The little-noticed change that could boost Biden and hurt Bernie in 2020

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/03/2020-elections-caucuses-democrats-primaries-bernie-sanders-1078031

"In 2020, four of the caucus states that Sanders won — Nebraska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Colorado — will use primaries to determine how many pledged delegates were allocated to each Democratic candidates.

More could soon follow. Utah has a new law on the books permitting political parties to use presidential primaries, and an official in the state Democratic Party said it expects to opt in. Maine passed a bill in 2016 to establish a presidential primary, but a top state Democrat said it sunsetted and was not immediately funded."

I live in Washington state and there is talk here about doing away with caucuses and going to primary only. In the past we have had both, but only the caucuses counted. We still had a primary and thousands more voted in them than the caucuses, but our votes in the primary did not count. I think it will change for 2020.

[jcgoldie]

1. Why does this boost Biden?

Are we assuming this is a two man race and its a zero sum game between Biden and Sanders already? I don't get it.

[Andy823]

6. I think

It would boost Biden, if he runs, because primaries get more people out to vote, and Biden would do better in a primary than Bernie.

[theboss]

9. Because people actually vote in primaries.

Biden would likely have the top name recognition in a primary.

Caucuses favor either the most organized candidates or the candidates with the most deeply loyal supporters.

Ron Paul would have had a real shot to be a party nominee if the entire nomination process was built around caucuses (Cauci? Caucae?)

[WeekiWater]

2. I really dislike the whole concept of the caucus.

Always have.

[Gothmog]

3. We need to get rid of undemocratic caucuses

This change may hurt sanders

[Andy823]

17. I think so

And Warren is trying to get all the candidates to show at least 10 years of tax returns and I think that is also a great idea. I want to know now if there are any problems with the candidates, not "after" they win the nomination.

[Autumn]

4. Why would this hurt Bernie? He won our caucus easily and primaries are more inclusive

of young people. Caucuses are too time consuming for most working people and now they won't have to take time off to caucus. That should boost votes for Bernie.

[Andy823]

5. In Washington state

In the 2016 election around 230,000 people showed up to the caucuses, and Bernie won

In the primary, that came later, over 660,000 voted and Hillary won. A lot of people don't even Bother to vote in the primary since only caucuses counted.

[Autumn]

10. In 2020 we go to the presidential primary election. I'll be glad to see the caucuses go the way

of the dinosaur.

[NewJeffCT]

7. I think the opposite is true

Bernie performed well in the caucuses because young people in college usually are flexible enough to go to caucus, and his other base of older white liberals/progressives can do that as well.

[Autumn]

13. At my precinct there were no young people. Not a person under 40. I knew he did well with

college people in another precinct, which is closer to the college. But caucuses don't work well for young working people with kids. The primary will draw in the younger working people and from what I see he's popular with that group.

[theboss]

11. Because a caucus favors a deeply dedicated base with time on their hands.

College students, full-time activists, etc. That's Bernie's base.

If you have three kids with activities on a Tuesday night in freaking March, a caucus is a massive massive pain in the ass.

"Honey, let's go to Bob's house for the next five hours to figure out who our delegates should vote for."

[Autumn]

14. Exactly. I'll be glad to see them gone. That's why at our precinct you don't see any young

people. Caucuses are fine for people who are retired or well off but not for the ones who need their voices heard the most.

[honest.abe]

15. +1

Well explained.

[Cha]

8. GOOD! Caucuses are

Undemocratic The less the Better!

Thanks, Andy

[honest.abe]

12. Iowa is also making a change in that it will allow some virtual caucuses.

It sounds rather odd but it might help.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/11/politics/iowa-democratic-caucus-changes/index.html

[Andy823]

16. I read about that also

I agree it does sound different, but if more voters get a chance to vote I am all for it.

[Gothmog]

18. There will be fewer caucuses in 2020

Link to tweet

[Andy823]

19. Thanks for the update

This will be interesting to see how the numbers change in the states that did away with caucuses. I think primaries are a much better way to pick the person we want to be the president of the United States.