Why is the presidential primary system still in use?

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  • Mutt
    Too lazy to set a custom title
    • Sep 2002
    • 34431
    #1

    Why is the presidential primary system still in use?

    i'm sure that 100 years ago the primary system was practical or needed for some reason - can't remember my US politics courses - BUT today, it's a nutty way to nominate a presidential candidate - why should such a small number of people living in states people barely remember exist except once every 4 years be given such power to make or break a campaign before people in many other much bigger states every have their chance to have a say/vote?

    a poor showing in these early caucuses/primaries can finish a campaign - that's not fair and it's not very democratic if you ask me.
    I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!
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    • xmas13
      Confirmed User
      • Dec 2004
      • 5176
      #2
      Depends where you live, 'm sure in NH they don't mind.
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        • WarChild
          Let slip the dogs of war.
          • Jan 2003
          • 17263
          #3
          Originally posted by Mutt
          i'm sure that 100 years ago the primary system was practical or needed for some reason - can't remember my US politics courses - BUT today, it's a nutty way to nominate a presidential candidate - why should such a small number of people living in states people barely remember exist except once every 4 years be given such power to make or break a campaign before people in many other much bigger states every have their chance to have a say/vote?

          a poor showing in these early caucuses/primaries can finish a campaign - that's not fair and it's not very democratic if you ask me.
          Luckily, you don't live in a democracy, so non democratic processes are OK.
          .

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            • xmas13
              Confirmed User
              • Dec 2004
              • 5176
              #4
              Originally posted by WarChild
              Luckily, you don't live in a democracy, so non democratic processes are OK.
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                • Cyndalie
                  Confirmed User
                  • Jan 2002
                  • 3615
                  #5
                  I'd rather not leave it completely up to the conventions.
                  Cyndalie
                  Marketing Director
                  StoriesTraffic.com

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                    • Snake Doctor
                      I'm Lenny2 Bitch
                      • Mar 2001
                      • 13449
                      #6
                      Those in favor of the current system would argue that the early states take their role very seriously, and they are the most educated voters in the country.

                      Also, you don't need alot of money to win in the early states the way you would if it was a nationwide primary from the start. A literal nobody can shake enough hands in New Hampshire to make a name for themselves. I think that's important.
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                        • Snake Doctor
                          I'm Lenny2 Bitch
                          • Mar 2001
                          • 13449
                          #7
                          I, for one, am in favor of getting rid of the electoral college though.
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                            • Mutt
                              Too lazy to set a custom title
                              • Sep 2002
                              • 34431
                              #8
                              i like watching it, it's traditional and quaint to see candidates in small town America spending so much time interacting with people door to door, handshake by handshake - it would suck to lose that but what about the Democrats in states like California who will never get a chance to cast a vote or campaign for a back of the pack candidate they feel strongly about?
                              I moved my sites to Vacares Hosting. I've saved money, my hair is thicker, lost some weight too! Thanks Sly!

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                                • BradM
                                  Confirmed User
                                  • Dec 2003
                                  • 3397
                                  #9
                                  It's an outdated system that needs removing.

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                                    • Snake Doctor
                                      I'm Lenny2 Bitch
                                      • Mar 2001
                                      • 13449
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by Mutt
                                      i like watching it, it's traditional and quaint to see candidates in small town America spending so much time interacting with people door to door, handshake by handshake - it would suck to lose that but what about the Democrats in states like California who will never get a chance to cast a vote or campaign for a back of the pack candidate they feel strongly about?
                                      The problem with that is if the first primaries are held in a state like California, then retail politics means nothing and money means everything.
                                      You can't campaign door to door in California, it would be all about the media buy. That would make an already flawed system even worse IMO.

                                      The reason Iowa and New Hampshire are important is because anybody can win there. By winning there a nobody governor or congressman can get national media attention that they wouldn't otherwise get.
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                                        • Mutt
                                          Too lazy to set a custom title
                                          • Sep 2002
                                          • 34431
                                          #11
                                          well it's lasted a couple of hundred years so i guess it won't be changing - but with technology true democracy is possible where people vote on anything of importance at one time - maybe one day people will demand that rather than just relying on their elected representatives.
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                                            • theking
                                              Nice Kitty
                                              • Sep 2002
                                              • 21053
                                              #12
                                              Originally posted by Mutt
                                              well it's lasted a couple of hundred years so i guess it won't be changing - but with technology true democracy is possible where people vote on anything of importance at one time - maybe one day people will demand that rather than just relying on their elected representatives.
                                              A true Democracy would be a fiasco of the worst kind. People do not and would never have the information...for a multitude of reasons... available to them to make educated choices. That is the primary reason there has never been a true Democracy but there are also other good reasons not to have a true Democracy.
                                              When you're running down my country hoss...you're walking on the fighting side of me!

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