Hillary Clinton
Related: About this forumWhat's it like in a caucus?
Especially one in which the results are dominated by Sanders? Why does he have an edge in caucus states?
- Of course there's the demographic issue. Maybe caucuses are held in low population states with fewer minorities.
- Do far left democrats gravitate toward such states?
- In the caucus is a persuasive case made to vote for Sanders to keep his message strong, even if you want Hillary in the White House? The argument being that she'll be the nominiee anyway?
- Are people persuaded within the walls of the caucus for any reason?
- Is there some factor that keeps older Hillary voters home in larger numbers?
Any replies will be appreciated. I'm just curious.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Primaries are better.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)not want to be subjected to rabid Sanders' supporters tactics. I think secret ballots are preferred, but I suppose States have a right to select their process.
MFM008
(19,827 posts)tried to change the rules to get rid of Super delegates. Didn't work. Sanders people were pretty aggressive
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,398 posts)No one changed their vote.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)I hope those in charge thinks the suppression portion before 2020.
Satch59
(1,353 posts)And they are held in a confusing way where you need to be shuffled all over the place, not easy for the elderly (and certainly the disabled) and that you need to stay there for at least 2hrs.
I caucused in CO and each side was respectful in trying to sway voters over to their side but I could see how some crazy BS'ers could cause some trouble...
Caucuses should be stopped, mostly on disenfranchisement issues.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Local High School (my son graduated from)
It was packed like Costco 3 days before Christmas. Bodies producing heat big time, oh and odors. Kids running all over. No one could HEAR a thing hardly. You sign a paper that states your choice, and really the whole process revolves around the undecided. First 2 were for HRC then 2 switched to Sanders, yes they are lobbied heavily.
Then they count the votes. we were 36 Sanders 34 Hillary. They turned away voters for coming late. They were for HRC. 4 voters for her were turned away. Most HRC voters were over 40, but it was mixed.
Then you pick delegates for the local party to send to state convention to send to the national convention.
My sons girlfriend was one of 3 picked for Hillary.
Thank God I brought water and a hand fan.
There it is.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,398 posts)There was one person late at mine. They took their registration which had their preference. But their vote did not count.
pandr32
(11,637 posts)I think this must have happened a lot during the high-pressure "arguments" period. My caucus was at a middle school and it was unpleasant as you describe. It was also way too pro-Bernie and intimidating for Hillary supporters. I doubt anyone switched from Bernie to Hillary--would have faced way too much hostility.
Glad you stuck it out and a big high-five to your son's girlfriend!
Treant
(1,968 posts)So the attendees tend to tilt younger, with no physical infirmities. If you're an old person with bladder issues, a caucus would not be the place for you. Young children? Find childcare or stay home.
Fortunately, in WA's case you can vote absentee if you meet their standards. About 35,000 people did.
MFM008
(19,827 posts)had surgery on my foot last week, I had no problem even as packed as it was.
Kids were all over. They weren't the problem, it was all the talking and yelling by adults.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,398 posts)Found them more polite than the ones on DU. Of course the anonymity of the internet might be the cause of rudeness. Harder to be an ass to someone's face.
The argument most raised by the Sanders supporters today was he's more electable than Hillary. Polls so far really haven't born that out.
Chichiri
(4,667 posts)You could if you wanted, but you could also just register, fill out your preference ballot, and leave. (Except that you had to wait about 2 hours. Largely outside. In winter. In Minnesota.)
And yes, the people I waited in line with were mostly young people, and hence mostly Sanders people, but they were mostly really cool people. (Again, that might be a Minnesota thing.)
nolabear
(42,001 posts)This is NOT anyone's fault. I was a vote counter, Mr. Bear was PCO, a really smart, capable you man was in charge of our precinct, and two other men also tallied and kept track of the paperwork.
And it took ALL we had to keep things straight. People handed in paper with their first choice and, if they held onto them until after comments pro and con were given, after they'd changed their vote (none did). Then delegates and alternates were voted on after comments. And we tried very hard to have accurate tallies, which we ultimately did, but one vote disappeared between the preliminary and final votes, the young man in charge disqualified himself as a delegate (pure accident; he was great but just made a mistake) by letting his paper go home with his tired girlfriend, it was incredibly hard to hear comments in our crowded gymnasium with many precinct groups crowded together trying to talk, and frankly everyone was nervous as a cat trying to be sure no one (i.e. Bernie supporters) could accuse us of deliberate wrongdoing.
That said it was fun and very exciting. And I'm proud of my neighbors (with a couple of really rageful exceptions on Bernie's side) for working like hell to make democracy work. And all of us wish to hell we had a primary.
Cha
(297,935 posts)We had a Preferential Poll in Hawaii.. like Arizona but.. and a very big "But".. anyone could register as a Dem today to vote for BS.. and they did.
I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone and the only one voting for reality.. hope that's the last time they get to vote for him.