Please DNC - take away Iowa's "first in the nation" position ASAP

[SharonClark]

so we no longer have Rick Scott, Nikki Haley, Mike Pompeo, and Mike Pence stalking the state and bringing out the worst of an already deranged state party.

[Itchinjim]

1. As a fellow Iowan I couldn't agree more.

Let some other state suffer the two years of nonstop political ads and people like Ted Cruz interrupting your breakfast at the Maid-Rite.

[empedocles]

2. 'first in the nation' is a burden - and dangerous

[867-5309.]

3. Iowa and New Hampshire are two of the six whitest states

It's inexcusable for the Democratic party to give them disproportionate sway every election cycle.

[Hortensis]

5. Not good, but don't forget, states also get to determine when

they'll hold their contests. The constitution speaks to the states holding elections, not private political parties that didn't even exist, and states pass laws governing their elections. It's not just the parties' decision.

Btw, back in 1972 the Democratic Party and IA agreed to move IA earlier because there weren't going to be enough hotel rooms available (!) on the date it'd previously held its caucuses. Going earliest fit other requirements and was "open," plus it benefited the Democratic nominee that year. After that the Republican Party moved its date up to first and state law institutionalized it.

[867-5309.]

8. I've always thought this was silly

What happens if other states pass an amendment that states they must be first or go by a certain date?


The DNC determines when states can have a *valid* primary. If a state's constitution requires them to have it earlier than DNC guidelines, they can. But it won't be recognized. (see Florida 2008)

[emulatorloo]

13. Iowa Dems gave us Obama. Iowa Democrats are sane. Dont blame Iowa Dems for the insanity of Iowa

Iowa’s insane fundy Republican wingnuts

[867-5309.]

15. Not sure what this has to do with Iowa fundy Republican wingnuts

I don't see how anyone can justify overwhelmingly white states being given hugely disproportionate sway, particularly given what this party stands for.

[emulatorloo]

17. I answered your post smearing Iowa Democrats. As if they are a bunch of ignorant conservatives

They aren’t. End of story

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Iowa does not represent the demographics of the Democratic Party

[question everything]

19. All caucuses disenfranchise voters. Period

[rurallib]

6. Even if Dems remove Iowa as 1st in nation the Repugs won't

and we'll still have Scott, Haley, Pompeo and the irrepressible Mike Pence stalking Iowa.

An aside - In a previous life I attended several Republican candidate appearances - Lordy, Lordy are they ever different from a Democratic event. They are scary.

[mcar]

7. They are not Democrats so would not be affected by DNC decisions

I believe the DNC is already moving to change the primary schedule - but that would be the Democratic primary.

[City67]

9. Not sure

I'm not so sure I'd change the rules any time something doesn't go my way. You do that then the other guys do the exact same thing to you. Just a thought.

[Midnight Writer]

10. How about a rotating schedule? Or perhaps a lottery to determine who goes first?

[Cuthbert Allgood]

11. I think the states that were the closest races in the last election should go first.

Those are the ones we are worried about, so let's get the right candidate for the swing states before they are eliminated in the white people state.

[rogue emissary]

12. Totally agree.

Always thought the first primary and caucus should rotate throughout the country.

[beaglelover]

14. CA should be first primary state.

We're very diverse and represent the Democratic party much moreso than Iowa or NH.

[SharonClark]

16. It CA goes first then the whole primary season will be over.

It should be on a rotating basis, maybe by region, and include states of all sizes.

[Hekate]

18. I've thought about that over the years, & have decided probably not the best idea. CA is too big.

There’s about 40 million people here, and it’s geographically huge. A candidate can scarcely begin to cover it. In the early stages of an election year, people outside the target state really do look for the schmoozing and handshaking, the coffee shops and local beers. But we’ve outgrown that all-white Disney Main Street schtick.

I do want Maine and Ohio knocked off their perches — they’ve achieved such media importance that if a candidate doesn’t do well in their small white enclaves, that candidate is deemed to have somehow failed, and their efforts are endlessly and pointlessly picked over for reasons for that alleged failure.