Why are tonight's caucus/primary races not viewed seriously?

[aaaaaa5a]

Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida had blowout coverage by the 3 cable news networks for the most part. The Nevada caucus drew special election coverage from even MSNBC, network most noted for taking weekend primetime off.

So where is the buildup to tonight?


Tonight, Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado are voting. 2 of the 3 are November battle-ground states. The outcome tonight (Santorum likely winning 1 or 2 states) could make tonight the most interesting of the GOP primary race so far.


So why isn't it not covered as extensively? Only CNN is going into their election night coverage. MSNBC is covering tonights results with standard programming. FOX has been shockingly short and absent from a lot of the primary races so far.


Am I missing something? Is the fact that Missouri is only a "beauty contest" enough for everyone to take the night off? Colorado is a big deal! Quite frankly it is more important than South Carolina! And more people will vote or caucus tonight than did so in Nevada or Iowa.


What am I missing?

[cthulu2016]

1. I agree (though Newt being off the ballot in Missouri hurts)

[aaaaaa5a]

4. I actually thinks that makes this contest even more interesting.

If Santorum beats Romney 1-on-1 (not counting Paul), doesn't that bode well for him? Doesn't that make him the conservative alternative? And doesn't that make Romney weak and bolster the claim that the "not Mitt" vote is stronger than those who support the frontrunner?

[Sherman A1]

7. The Missouri primary is completely meaningless

The Republican state legislature screwed things up so badly that they had to go with the caucus format next month.

I voted today, just because I wanted something out of my tax dollars that are being wasted on this boondoggle.

[SoCalDem]

2. Apparently, most are only "beauty contests", and no actual delegates will be awarded

That's what MSNBC has been saying about them.

It's odd that they are even doing them, with the financial state of affairs that most states have now. Any election coats money to the state, even if it's just a republican-only candidate-pageant, attended by a handful of zealots.:

[aaaaaa5a]

6. I think only Missouri is a beauty contest. nt

[Tx4obama]

3. Why Today's Contests are Important

Why Today's Contests are Important
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/07/why_todays_contests_are_important.html

[aaaaaa5a]

5. Good info!

More delegates are in play tonight than in any other single night of voting so far in the GOP primary. This is actually the most important night of the race so far. And it is the least predictable.


I don't get the lack of hype?

[Raine]

8. I turned off MSNBC "the place for politics"

since they were ignoring the politics this time ... they really pissed me off!

[aaaaaa5a]

9. Agreed. CNN is kicking their butts tonight.

MSNBC should be in election night coverage mode. I just don't get it.

[Motown_Johnny]

10. Rachel explained it all in her opening segment

try to catch the rerun or watch it online tomorrow

[jwirr]

11. I am from MN and the caucus here is held for a reason. We help to write the national platforms in

these caususes and we take straw votes to decide who we want to run as our Democratic candidates. It is a place to discuss the issues of the community and come together. As to the actual voting there will be an official primary vote to confirm this discussion later in the year.

I wanted to go tonight but unfortunately I ended up baby sitting my great grandchildren later than I expected.

[renie408]

12. uhhhh...cause Rick Santorum is winning them??? n/t

[aaaaaa5a]

13. It looks like MSNBC should have covering the election AFTER ALL! NT

[Cognitive_Resonance]

14. MSNBC really blew it. This is a big deal. nt

[aaaaaa5a]

15. I agree.

You can't be "The place for politics" and completely miss what has turned out to easily be the most important night of the GOP primary season so far.


Tonight MSNBC has embarrassed itself.