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Democratic Primary System: an Abysmal Failure

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by StefanM, Mar 5, 2008.

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  1. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Does anyone think that the Democratic proportional system of delegates is the biggest waste of time in politics today?

    All this is doing is dragging out the process and forcing the superdelegates to determine the ultimate winner. The only difference between the smoke filled room and this process is the wasted millions of dollars.
     
    #1 StefanM, Mar 5, 2008
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    It looks like it will give the Republicans a bit of an upperhand.
     
    #2 Revmitchell, Mar 5, 2008
  3. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Yes. Step One to the bungling of this election for the Democrats: Complete.
     
    #3 StefanM, Mar 5, 2008
  4. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Step two will be to nominate Hillary
     
    #4 Revmitchell, Mar 5, 2008
  5. Rubato 1

    Rubato 1 New Member

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    The more dollars we can get away from a Democrat the better off we are...
     
    #5 Rubato 1, Mar 5, 2008
  6. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    This is not a "Democrat Party" thing. Different States or Commonwealths and/or State or Commonwealths parties have different rules.

    Actually, I agree with he portioned splitting of votes.
    Suppose the polls show that Jones is beating Smith by 70 - 30 % Many voters for Smith may not go to the polls since their vote will mean nothing in a winner-take-all State or Commonwealth. But with optional voting, each vote actually means something. In addition, a "minor" candidate will actually have a chance to pick up some delegates.

    I would like to see the Electoral College work the same way. Actually, States or Commonwealths are permitted to do that. In fact two States or Commonwealths currently use that system. I think it is Maine and Neb, (I could be mistaken - if so let me know.)

    I understand that one Party requires that 1/2 of its delegates be female.
    ( but doesn't that discriminate against trans-sexual?:tonofbricks: )

    Salty
     
    #6 Salty, Mar 5, 2008
  7. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I know it's not the same for every state, but the Democratic contests are generally proportional while the GOP contests are generally winner take all. I'm speaking of the process as the sum of the parts.

    The problem is that the system that the Democratic convention uses tends to undermine democracy in situations such as these. With the superdelegates comprising such a large portion of the total delegate count, proportional allocation prevents a two-candidate contest from producing a clear winner simply by votes. The superdelegates are the king-makers here.

    My ideal primary system would have the following features:

    1) Each state would be divided according to the US Congressional districts.

    2) Delegates would be equally distributed among these districts.

    3) The winner of the popular vote of each district would receive all of the delegates in that district.

    4) The winner of the statewide popular vote would receive the equivalent of the number of delegates in two congressional districts (thereby making the delegate distribution roughly parallel to the congressional delegations).

    5) All primaries would be closed primaries.
     
    #7 StefanM, Mar 5, 2008
  8. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    The only problem I have with their process are the so called "super delegates" who can over-rule, or change, the will of their voters.

    That's set up perfectly for the "smoke filled room" scenario.
     
    #8 carpro, Mar 5, 2008
  9. dragonfly

    dragonfly New Member

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    When a democrat is president in 2009, you will see that the system worked.

    ABAR!
     
    #9 dragonfly, Mar 6, 2008
  10. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    That wouldn't mean the system worked. It means that they achieved victory despite the system.
     
    #10 StefanM, Mar 6, 2008
  11. targus

    targus New Member

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    Perhaps a benefit of the proportional primaries is that it could prevent an otherwise acceptable candidate from being forced out too early because he keeps coming in second while the other candidates keep swithching off for first from State to State.

    If what I mean to say actually comes through in the above sentence...
     
    #11 targus, Mar 7, 2008
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