I don't object to Primaries...

[brooklynite]

...but I'm tracking 24 House seats with four or more viable Democratic candidates running. That means burning a lot of cash that will be needed for the General Election, and the possibility of "winning" with 25-35% of the vote. I'd like to think we could thin out the herd quite a bit before Primaries occur.

[MineralMan]

1. That's always an issue, but it's a local issue.

Local money, too, for the most part. I'm for just leaving such primaries alone and letting the people in those districts sort it all out. And they will certainly sort it out, too. I don't get involved in any districts other than my own and those adjacent to it. I leave that stuff to the people who live in the districts. It's really up to them during primary season.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. It is all Local.

There is always a shake out period and the week ones will bail.

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. In most four-person primary races, it quickly gets

narrowed down to two. The important thing is to encourage unity for the General election. Smart primary candidates are quick to congratulate and endorse the winner in the primary. It's only a problem very occasionally, really.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Yes it will happen.

Seen it in the Sixth. And the weak link was left standing. And you and I know how that played out.

[MineralMan]

5. The Sixth District is poison for Democrats, I'm afraid.

I believe the only way to elect a Democrat is for a really BIG name in the Twin Cities to run there. Someone who transcends partisan politics just by existing.

I don't know who that would be, frankly.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. When Carver County

was Gerrymandered into that District,it became dominated by the Mega Churches and their Members. My take is this,the Sixth was mostly Joe Six pak Country . Strong Labor,Thousands of Teamsters,once redistricting and the demise of Trucking and Warehousing Industry under anti Labor Federal and State Politicians,you could see the shift.

Seems to be Guns,Bullets and Beer are themes of the day.

[shanny]

6. Who's "we"? Who gets to thin the fields of candidates?

[H2O Man]

8. Primaries can be good,

especially in the context of campaigning for a seat currently held by a republican. The important thing, in my opinion, is to recognize that there are states and districts that are either likely or unlikely to elect a given candidate -- be they liberal, moderate, or conservative Democrats. In states where there is a large republican majority among registered voters, it is unlikely that a progressive Democrat would win a general election, for example.

Our goal needs to be on getting the largest number of Democrats elected as possible.

[crazycatlady]

9. I wish some primary candidates would run for lower office

For example, NY-19 is a 6 way primary. I'm sure there's local and state legislative offices that don't have candidates running.

(In fairness, if a NY candidate loses the federal primary, it is not too late to file for the state/local primaries).