DNC to recommend scrapping Iowa, Nevada virtual caucus plans

[TexasTowelie]

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Democratic National Committee will recommend scrapping state plans to offer virtual, telephone-based caucuses in 2020 due to security concerns, sources tell The Associated Press.

The final choice whether to allow virtual caucuses in Iowa and Nevada is up to the party's powerful Rules and Bylaws Committee. But opposition from DNC's executive and staff leadership makes it highly unlikely the committee would keep the virtual caucuses, leaving two key early voting states and the national party a short time to fashion an alternative before the February caucuses.

The state parties had planned to allow some voters to cast caucus votes over the telephone in February 2020 instead of showing up at traditional caucus meetings.

Iowa and Nevada created the virtual option to meet a DNC mandate that states open caucuses to more people, but two sources with knowledge of party leaders' deliberations say there are concerns that the technology used for virtual caucuses could be subject to hacking.

Read more: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article234539987.html
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

[DURHAM D]

1. Here is another article -

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/iowa-caucus-iowas-first-in-the-nation-caucus-status-in-jeopardy/ar-AAGwJbF?li=BBnb7Kz

Iowa Caucus: Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus status in jeopardy

Caucuses are not democratic.

[JI7]

2. good idea and move towards a primary for the future

[brooklynite]

7. If Iowa moves to a Primary, New Hampshire will, by Law, insist on going first

[tritsofme]

3. Even better idea: scrap unrepresentative and undemocratic caucuses altogether.

It’s ridiculous that the Democratic Party does not require a primary election with a secret ballot for selecting delegates.

[grantcart]

6. Having attended caucuses for years I wish they would be expanded

As they are much more democratic by nature if by Democratic one means have an intelligent discussion on a broad range of issues rather than a single quick vote on a nominee (which is usually decided after 4 states have had their polling day.

Here are some things discussed at caucuses that cannot be decided at the polls:

1) a discussion on the priorities that the caucus wants discussed for the state platform and state wide campaigns (both candidates and referendums)

2) a discussion on the strategy and tactics that should be adopted at the county level (invest in media or hire people to work on higher turnout)

3) nomination and selection of delegates to the county convention.

4) sign up precinct volunteers

5) What needs to happen to counter local Republican efforts

6) who should be drafted to run for various county and school board offices,

none of the above can be discussed at a primary poll and not one of my primary votes happened in a situation where my vote had meaning. In the vast majority of races the nominee has largely been decided by the 5th state primary.

There is an illusion of a competitive primary race when in fact proportional vote apportionment makes it extremely difficult for 2nd place candidates to catch up even if there is a relatively small lead.

People/news were all excited Sen Clinton's primary victory in Ohio but that only netted her +3 delegates while Sen Obama's landslide victory in Idaho gave him + 5 (estimate from memory)

The polls are a very narrow two dimensional approach to democracy in which 80% of the time. I have never voted in a presidential primary where it made a damn bit of difference, and I never left a caucus where I didn't feel more energized about getting things done, including many county and state conventions.

Finally caucuses are very important in red areas where they help to build solidarity and enthusiasm. I removed the combined precincts in Boise having something like 18,000 show up for one of the most inspirational "democratic" events of 2008.

[DURHAM D]

11. Voters don't have an entire day to devote to

making one single primary vote.

Single working mothers of three kids who have two or three jobs don't want to spend 5 hours in a crowded auditorium filled with bullies and large men openly carrying a belt full of weapons.

[grantcart]

15. Gone to many caucuses and none started before 7

They were filled with single moms (childcare provided) and they were able to talk to the caucus and pass a resolution to expand pre k schooling.

Caucuses are the MOST efficient way for people without a voice to capture the attention of party leaders.

On 1 occasion I withdrew as candidate for state conventions so a single mother could go and raise their issues to broader leadership.

Caucuses are the most inclusionary because they allow an actual voice of the people to 4ise up without screening.

My vote in the presidential primaryhas never counted because I have never lived in an early primary/caucus state.

[DURHAM D]

17. Obviously it depends on where you live.

You are living a dream if you think caucuses work well for most Democratic voters.

[Demsrule86]

12. They are not Democratic because they exclude working voters who can't spend hours on this stuff...

They are un representative as was clearly show in Nevada where Hillary won the primary by millions but Sanders won the caucuses...so little participation.

[BannonsLiver]

16. Not everyone can make an evening out of it.

And not everyone wants to. Some people want to weigh in, and go home, without any hullabaloo or discussion. Caucuses were a quaint idea in their time but their time has passed.

[SunSeeker]

4. We need closed primaries in all 50 states. nt

[calimary]

5. They should quit trying to fix the unfixable.

Scrap the whole caucus thing and institute primaries across the board.

Caucuses are NOT democratic!

[highplainsdem]

8. Agree completely.

[NurseJackie]

9. Thank you! They're infuriating. People are excluded, bullies intimidate others, no secret ballots...

... it's orchestrated anarchy and it's unfair.

[pecosbob]

10. Went to one here in Nevada once.

Won't ever go to another. Personally, after months and months or primary campaigning I know who I want to vote for and I simply won't take time off from work to go have more discussions with people pressing me to vote for a particular candidate. Anyone that needs more talking at that point hasn't been paying attention.

[Gothmog]

13. From my twitter feed

Link to tweet

[MrsCoffee]

14. Good.