I like the caucus system.

[Ravy]

There are a couple of threads about primaries floating around now, and in each there is a post about aboloshing caucuses.

I thought it was deserving of its own thread.

I like the caucus system because it a) has voting in public and b) discourages independent and crossover voting.

Discuss if you wish.

[CornField]

1. Being part of a caucus is fascinating

I've often wondered how many people walk into a voting booth and pull the lever or check a box without having a clue. When you are part of a caucus, it is virtually impossible not to have an understanding about the candidates and so-forth. (If you walk in without a clue, someone will be happy to provide you one. LOL!)

I wish all of my political life had been spent with a caucus system. I would have been much more informed and enriched by being a part of the process.

[Ravy]

2. Exactly. My feeling is that if you won't publicly support the candidate

you are voting for, then your vote shouldn't count in the primary.

[TygrBright]

3. Honestly, I thought American politics started to go downhill...

...even faster when they started trading caucuses for primaries. The caucus process ensured that people had an opportunity to discuss the issues and platform, and talk with supporters of all potential candidates, ask questions, challenge assumptions, assert strengths and weaknesses, etc., face to face before voting. Then walk over and stand with those supporting "your" candidate, publicly, and get another chance to winnow through the reasons to support/not support as the process continued.

Yes, it demanded people take A WHOLE EVENING from their busy lives to participate in the political process, rather than insta-vote, but in my not-at-all-humble opinion, DEMOCRACY IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT of one evening a year. If you're not prepared to give that, let those who are do the sorting-out work for you and deal with their choices at the general election.

belligerently,
Bright

[Ravy]

6. I thought with the anti-caucus comments on other threads that

there would be some of those people showing up. So far, only caucus love.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Yes, I really enjoyed the Democratic caucus in Minnesota.

[blm]

5. I agree - and the people still saying that Iowa was rigged should be outed

for either being trolls intent on spreading disinfo or too ignorant to be believed.

[mmonk]

7. To be honest, if a caucus system were my only avenue

I most likely would vote less.

[Ravy]

8. Why is that?

[NobleCynic]

9. For one

there's time and effort it takes to go to a caucus. It restricts the number of participants quite a bit. Especially for middle and lower class that might not be able to take the time off.

Mind you, the benefits of the caucus may still outweigh the drawbacks as it does insure that those voting at least have a clue who their candidates are. But you take a definite hit in the number of participants as opposed to a primary.

[mmonk]

10. you got it.

[Ravy]

11. They have to take time off to vote, how is that different?

I will concede an absentee issue, but perhaps that could even be addressed somehow.

[NobleCynic]

13. A caucus takes more time than voting

It also has a different perception among the public. Politically involved or aware people go to caucuses, normal people do not. I'm not saying that's truth. I'm saying that's the perception.

Whereas with voting, a lot of people who would never in their lives go to a caucus nonetheless consider it their civic duty to vote.

With a caucus system, less people will participate. Mind you, there are both positives and negatives to this, but I think the unavoidable truth is a caucus system means less inclusive, if more meaningful, participation.

[Ravy]

17. I am in favor of less participation of voters who are less enthusiastic

about their choice, and of course non-democrats having a say in our primary.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Caucuses are purposely held in the evening

and if you can't attend, you can send a proxy vote.

I like them because they can't be faked.

We had a straw poll at my 2004 caucus, and I was one of three people picked out of the crowd, all supporters of different candidates, to count the results.

We also discussed and passed resolutions that would be passed up to the next level and the next for eventual possible inclusion in the party platform.

What's not to like?

Sure, it's more time-consuming, but it has a very hand's on feel to it.

This--and not a Diebold machine--is what democracy should look like.

[NobleCynic]

14. Well, some of us work swing shift or graveyard

(Myself included)

But in terms of participation you're absolutely right. The experience of a caucus is far more meaningful than that of a primary, and I have experienced both. I'm just saying that one downside to consider is that of inclusion. Less people will participate in a caucus. Make the caucus system as accesible as you want, at the end of the day there will still be less people participating in a caucus than in a primary. If that is not a problem, and I personally believe there are both positives and negatives to less inclusion, then the caucus is easily the superior system.

[Selatius]

20. The problem is politics has been separated from ordinary life

Everyday you make decisions about your checkbook, but rarely do you make decisions at the ballot box. There is a disconnect. If you re-ordered society so that making checkbook decisions includes making political decisions as well, you could probably balance accessibility to decision-making power with inclusiveness instead of sacrificing one for the other, whichever that may be.

200 years ago the townhall was the center of life for many communities. They congregated there, discussed issues, delegated tasks as they saw fit to ensure the survival of that community. Otherwise, they'd fall apart. In a way, it seems this country really has fallen apart. That closeness is gone.

[Ravy]

21. And what better way to get people involved with working for

the party than meeting them in person.

Many people just don't know how to get involved. I know that seems impossible, but I can tell you, after being involved in politics as a committee meember, campaign chair, and once as a candidate-- it is true.

Democracy is a participatory sport. Many would do more than just voting if they had just a little bit of exposure to a public debate.

[Odin2005]

15. The discussion part of the caucus is obsolete b/c of the Internet.

We can debate on internet forums and chat rooms.

[Ravy]

16. Well, believe it or not, there are many who don't participate

in the chat rooms.

I think the discussion part is still informative to many.

[The Revolution]

18. What goes on in forums and chat rooms

isn't really what I'd call "debate." :)

Most of the time it's just people calling each other names.

[The Revolution]

19. The Caucus system is awesome

We should switch to an all caucus system...it just feels more democratic.

The caucus can take longer than voting, but not always. The caucus I went to in 2004 certainly took a lot less time than some people had to wait in the general election (for instance, blacks in Ohio). Either way, election day should be a national holiday.