Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Bettie

(17,064 posts)
Wed Mar 15, 2023, 03:43 PM Mar 2023

Caucuses and delegates

So, according to state law, we need to have a caucus, but if we do, our delegates are not counted in the nominating process.

The state law is unlikely to change and this year's caucus won't be a big ordeal, since Biden will be the only real candidate.

In 24, the same may be true, with Biden as an incumbent, but how do you feel about Iowa being entirely cut out of the process (by our state's delegates not counting at all) because of a state law we can't change?

Oh, and I hate, hate, hate caucus. I would love to have a primary where my entire job is to go and vote....but that's not what we have and not what we are likely to have any time soon.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

bottomofthehill

(8,811 posts)
1. I am ok with it.
Wed Mar 15, 2023, 03:58 PM
Mar 2023

There is time to pass new legislation and make Iowa a democratic state. There is nothing democratic about a caucus. They are designed to exclude instead of include people. I don’t care if they want an early election, but caucuses are just awful, coercive, disorganized, not evenly applied and way too narrow in time.

BTW, I would be pissed if I lived there and my vote did not count so I get the point of the question, but caucuses are the worst way to “pick” someone.

rurallib

(63,195 posts)
3. Iowa up until about a decade ago was pretty much 50/50
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 04:15 PM
Mar 2023

South Carolina which now has a lead off position is much redder and has been for a long time

NNadir

(34,654 posts)
5. The candidate selected in S. Carolina will be the choice
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 04:59 PM
Mar 2023

...of one of our most important demographic groups, African Americans.

It's how we came by Joe Biden, exactly the right man for the right time.

That's not what we get in Iowa.

African American voters in South Carolina saved our country and I'm one old white dude who is grateful.

rurallib

(63,195 posts)
7. I agree but you said Iowa was a really red state. So is South Carolina.
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 05:03 PM
Mar 2023

And SC has been far redder for far longer.

I agree about demographics

NNadir

(34,654 posts)
8. Well, at the risk of sounding like a bigot, I'm not interested I'm the...
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 05:07 PM
Mar 2023

...opinions of the White Christian nationalists who make that state red.

There are two South Carolinas, the eternal successionists and the very blue population.

rurallib

(63,195 posts)
4. I have been a caucus goer since the '80s
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 04:18 PM
Mar 2023

even ran a few. I am not at all sad to see the caucuses go.

As for being cut out, well now we are in the same boat as much of the rest of the country. I have felt for a long time that the Democratic Party needs to organize preference primaries to be held in stages around the country.

Bettie

(17,064 posts)
6. Yeah, but what I meant by being cut out entirely
Sun Mar 19, 2023, 05:00 PM
Mar 2023

is that, last I heard, the DNC said that they will not count our delegates at all if we comply with state law. There's no point in even having a caucus if no delegates from the state will be seated because of a state law we can not change at this time.

I really just want to go and vote, instead of spending weeks preparing for a thing that no one really wants to go to...DH and I usually end up running at least one (and sometimes 2) precincts in our town. It's so much work.

But, I do want our delegates to be counted with the other states'.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Iowa»Caucuses and delegates