So, what does the primary Iowa win mean?

[mossrose]

I sure like Canada's election process better.

An election is called, and then there is about 5 weeks of attack ads and then you vote and then you realize the country (or province) has elected a bunch of morons.

Then you wait maybe 5 years before the process is repeated.

[rogue06]

You made assumption they were the same as other states, which is false. Larger more diverse states have given very different primary results in the past, and those winning Iowa and/or New Hampshire in the past have failed in larger more diverse states in the past.

I didn't say that they would give the exact same results but that regardless of the state chosen we would see a "weed[ing] out the weaker candidates." It might be different weaker candidates but there we would still see some dropping out

[Teallaura]

I don't understand US politics, and would appreciate a bit of elucidation.

NO trashing candidates! I just want the basic idea of how stuff works, please!

It used to be the pace setter. It is still something of a threshing floor for the less fit candidates.

[Teallaura]

Even Alabamastan

[Teallaura]

I didn't say that they would give the exact same results but that regardless of the state chosen we would see a "weed[ing] out the weaker candidates." It might be different weaker candidates but there we would still see some dropping out

No matter what state goes first, candidates will put way too much into trying to come out the true front runner and that inevitably means poorly performing, weaker positioned candidates are unable to continue afterwards.

The diversity argument is a non-starter. Most voters just don't care what the guy* looks like as long as he has all his visible teeth and says what they want to hear... or has an Anglo-Saxon sounding last name... Yes, really...











*Female candidates don't get the same break.

[KingsGambit]

The diversity argument is a non-starter. Most voters just don't care what the guy* looks like as long as he has all his visible teeth and says what they want to hear... or has an Anglo-Saxon sounding last name...

There's more to it than just that. States with a higher percentage of Hispanics or immigrants in general matter if immigration is a hot button issue.

[rogue06]

Oh look! Some stray kitties!

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[shunyadragon]

I didn't say that they would give the exact same results but that regardless of the state chosen we would see a "weed[ing] out the weaker candidates." It might be different weaker candidates but there we would still see some dropping out

I disagree. Fro example: If the first primary/caucus was held in Florida, Bush may perform very well and influence later primaries. Too much emphasis is being placed on these small states that are not representative of country as a whole.

[rogue06]

There's more to it than just that. States with a higher percentage of Hispanics or immigrants in general matter if immigration is a hot button issue.

Different states will have different issues that they think are important. Currently, with Iowa's stranglehold, a candidate has to at the very least give lip service to the idea that converting food into fuel is a marvelous idea if he/she wants to do well there and have a chance of success in winning their party's nomination.

[rogue06]

I disagree. Fro example: If the first primary/caucus was held in Florida, Bush may perform very well and influence later primaries. Too much emphasis is being placed on these small states that are not representative of country as a whole.

If too much emphasis is being placed on these small states then why would you object to a larger state like Florida being first? Personally, I would like to see something like a lottery to see which state went first each election cycle.

[shunyadragon]

If too much emphasis is being placed on these small states then why would you object to a larger state like Florida being first? Personally, I would like to see something like a lottery to see which state went first each election cycle.

Yes, I believe 'too much emphasis is being placed on these small states.' I would prefer a rotation of states over the years, probably the alternating large and small states,

What I object to is first generalization.

[Teallaura]

There's more to it than just that. States with a higher percentage of Hispanics or immigrants in general matter if immigration is a hot button issue.

Not so much - which is why ethanol wasn't the main issue coming into the season.

[One Bad Pig]

Not so much - which is why ethanol wasn't the main issue coming into the season.

I find it interesting that the anti-ethanol candidate won the Republican caucus in the most pro-ethanol state. Maybe we can finally get rid of the stupid ethanol mandate.

[Juvenal]

[...] in the most pro-ethanol state.

Sparko's got his own state, now?

[rogue06]

Sparko's got his own state, now?

The great state of Intoxication