This whole Democratic state primary vs. DNC fiasco is distressing

[brentspeak]

What the heck is this all about? Why, all of the sudden, are some states, like Florida and Michigan, wanting to move their primaries ahead? Do they have good reasons to do so? Is the DNC wrong or right in sticking to the current primary schedule?

This is the last thing Democrats need.

:banghead:

[mitchtv]

1. Too late to do anthing else

FL and MI deserve nothing. they were warned. California intends to secede if we aren't first. We're gonna hold our breath and stamp our feet

[Justitia]

5. Bingo. I'm in TX and the size of my state dictates I should be before MI & FL combined!

Temper tantrums and power plays. The DNC is right on this, the legislatures of those states have screwed their primary voters - knowingly.

[rucky]

6. So the punishment is screwing the voters?

There's no fair solution to this?

[WilliamPitt]

2. Feb 5th primary has 20+ states voting in one day.

Other states are moving up because after 2/5, the deal will be pretty much done and later primaries will be essentially irrelevant...which sucks in any number of ways, but there it is.

[brentspeak]

3. Why aren't all the state primaries on the same day?

Or, at least, why not just two primary days of equal weight? So that the second primary day could win it all for one of the first day's strong runner-ups?

[WilliamPitt]

4. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Money in politics is already bad enough, especially with 2/5 coming up. Candidates will have to be in 20 states at the same time for at least a week before the vote, if not more. They can only be in 20 states at one time if they have crazy cash for TV spots, radio spots, newspaper ads...in maybe 100 markets (i,e cities and towns) throughout those 20 states.

Elections should take time...and shouldn't be something available only to whichever campaigns are the most talented fundraisers.

[crappyjazz]

7. Canadian who doesn't understand this primary thing

Can someone provide a quickie summary? I'm not entirely sure of the significance of the primary dates for different states. Here's my questions:

1) Do state legislatures vote on the date and do the people have any say (other than voting their reps in?)

2) Do political parties prefer the dates spread out so that they have more time to campaign in each area?

3) Is there any kind of overall organizational body that governs this or is it a free for all?

TIA