Iowa Democratic Party chair steps down after caucus move

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Iowa Democratic Party chair steps down after caucus move

October 18, 2022

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of the Iowa Democratic Party plans to step down in the wake of a vote by the national party to put the South Carolina primary ahead of Iowa’s caucuses, which have long been the first presidential nominating contest in the country.

Ross Wilburn announced Saturday that he won’t run for reelection as party chairman in January.

“No one can predict the future. But I have the utmost faith that whoever takes up the mantle next will guide our party with grace through the challenges ahead, as we all continue to work on growing our party and electing Democrats who will fight for the ideas we know are supported by a strong majority of Iowans,” Wilburn said in a statement.

In addition to losing their first-in-the-nation status, Democrats lost several key races in the state last month as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley cruised to reelection and two longtime Democratic office holders lost their positions.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/iowa-aac16e48ea921e53114f99cbfdf66f42

[Happy Hoosier]

1. It doesn't bother me that Iowa is a red state....

after all, so is SC. What bothers me is that the Caucus system is terrible, and that the Iowa caucuses have clearly become out of step with the national party. If the early primaries are intended to help winnow the field down to the serious contenders, it's important that they reflect the national sentiment to some degree. Although I am on record as detesting our primary system. It's a mess.

[brooklynite]

2. But there WILL be a Caucus...

...because Iowa Republicans won't schedule a Primary. The two questions are: when will the Democratic Caucus be held in the calendar, and what format will the Caucus take? (no need to maintain the "stand in the corner" model).

[Happy Hoosier]

4. Right... but it won't be the "first in the nation"

Which gave it far more weight than it deserved.

[Demsrule86]

7. A big who cares...they won't go first and the shitty caucus which actually disenfranchises

voters won't have the outside effect it should never have had in the first place.

[bottomofthehill]

6. 💯 percent agree, there is no place for caucuses in the Democratic party

Caucuses are the most un-democratic form of election. They limit participation by the narrow time slots and because of the open vote nature, allow people to be pressured and even bullied into supporting someone. Caucuses are a total fucking disaster and should have no home in the modern Democratic Primary process

[brooklynite]

8. So your response to the Democrats in Iowa is "screw you"?

[bottomofthehill]

10. No, but close

I believe the Democratic National Committee should change the rules to say that delegates to the Nominating Convention will only be granted to those states who follow a process that allows all who wish to and are qualified under the party rules have the ability to cast their ballot. Caucuses are a great big in democratic joke. No absentee voting, no one person one vote, no privacy to the ballot, no arrangements for the sick, the aged, the handicapped that have a difficult time getting out. One usually has 2/3 hours that you need to be there. It is just a shitty process. Add that to the problems that they had tabulating the “votes” in the Iowa Caucus, and to me, you have the reason to remove them from first in the nation.

Basically, caucuses suck.

[brooklynite]

12. So Republicans can decide which Democrats get to have a voice in the Presidential candidate nom?

Again. The issue isn't first in the nation. This issue is HOW does the State Party hold a Caucus that represents the opinion of the Democratic voters. It does NOT have to hold a public "stand in the corner" system that Iowa has used in the past. Other States have offered multi-hour voting at different locations, as well as vote by mail.

[bottomofthehill]

15. This is a shit show and not a serious way to select a Democratic Nominee.

The 2020 Iowa Caucus Democratic Rules. There are different Republican Rules.

The caucuses begin at 7 p.m. at most locations (you must be in line by 7 p.m. to participate). It's a good idea to arrive early, especially if you need to register at the door. This year, some Democratic satellite caucus locations begin earlier. However, some of those sites require preregistration and some of those deadlines have passed.
The Democratic caucus

1. PICKING A CANDIDATE
Caucusgoers show their presidential preference by standing in a section of the room devoted to their candidate.
2. BECOMING VIABLE
The people in each of those groups are counted. If the size of the group is at least 15% of those attending, that group is considered viable and the people in that group must fill out a presidential preference card, sign it, and turn it in. After they fill out that card, those in a 15% group can leave or watch the rest of the caucus. They cannot vote again.
3. REALIGNING
Those in groups that did not reach 15% in the first count can select a candidate again, either by joining a viable group, earning support for their group or another group or joining an uncommitted group.
4. FINAL COUNT
After realignment, the groups’ size will be counted again. That will be the final count.
5. DETERMINING DELEGATES
After the final count, delegates are awarded to the candidates, based on how many supporters those groups had.
Changes in the 2020 Democratic caucus
Two counts: In previous cycles, caucusgoers could realign multiple times. Starting this year, there is only one realignment and people who supported a viable candidate cannot vote again.

Satellite caucuses: For the first time in 2020, Democrats have allowed caucuses at dozens of satellite locations, both in Iowa and in other states and three other countries, to allow people who could not caucus at 7 p.m. at their assigned precinct in Iowa to participate. Some of those satellite caucuses start earlier or later than 7 p.m. and some require preregistration.
Reporting results: Democrats will make public the raw vote numbers from the first and second alignments, as well as the delegate strength candidates have. In previous years, the party reported only the delegate strength.

[Me.]

3. Their Caucus Has An Outsized Influence

and I think it gives the Dems' primary a clouded view. Also, why does one state always get to go first, others should also be given a chance to go first.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. I think it tended to prop up the hopes of certain candidates.

It made them believe they really had a shot when they never really did. So it extended the process.

[Me.]

9. It Also Confuses THe National Party As To Where To Put The Money

[dembotoz]

11. brings a ton of attention and money to the state

now the money and attention goes elsewhere.

suddenly no one cares about your opinion in your no name dinner in your no name iowa town

[LeftInTX]

13. I guess it benefits Iowa only source of tourism

[ohkaychu]

14. other states are more diverse

And so are better suited as the first in the nation.

[msongs]

16. exactly. nt

[old as dirt]

17. Ross Wilburn represents our district in the Iowa House.

(In fact, he lives just around the block from us.)

Ross Wilburn, Iowa Democratic Party chair, says he received racist threats over opinion article
Wilburn believes the threats came because he criticized former President Donald Trump in a Des Moines Register column.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Democratic Party chair Ross Wilburn says he received multiple threats after writing a column in the Des Moines Register criticizing former President Donald Trump.

Wilburn, the first Black person to lead the Iowa Democrats, told reporters on Tuesday that someone left a voicemail including a reference to lynching, and another that included widespread usage of the n-word.

Commander Jason Tuttle with the Ames Police Department said they are investigating the incidents, and Wilburn said he's prepared to press charges if possible.

"It's exhausting that you know, both as a public official, but also just as an individual to get any type of hateful comments," Wilburn said. "I'm angry. [I'm] exhausted. And as I said, it just gets exhausting seeing it."

snip------------

The Assault On Democracy Begins In The States.