The Political Voices of Women

While you were sleeping, DNC and RNC held discussions about primary systems.

Mention the word ‘primary’ to a Floridian and chances are a scowl will slide across his or her face because the 4th largest state in the USA lost delegates when both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee penalized states for pushing primaries ahead of dates set in the cornerstone of party rules. The National Presidential Caucus convened a roundtable discussion with party leaders in New York on June 24. Timing is critical—the RNC mandates that primary rules and dates be agreed upon at the national convention. This year the RNC’s convention will be held in September in Minneapolis. The makeup of the roundtable participants is interesting to say the least.

The DNC isn’t quite as constrained. That committee can address its rules whenever it wants to. The RNC appears to be leaning towards a format named The Ohio Plan. Predictably, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada will continue to enjoy frontrunner status. Larger states like Florida, Michigan, California and New York would be part of a second tier holding primaries in early February. But both parties need, according to the discussion, to have “congruence” in their primary rules and plans. Michael A. Mauro, Iowa Secretary of State participated in the roundtable. Here’s a not very surprising comment from him, “…I praise this bi-partisan group’s recognition of the importance of maintaining the traditional roles of both Iowa and New Hampshire as first in the nation.” Please note Florida set its primary date exactly the way those states did, by legislative procedure. A state should be able to determine and set its own date as long as the legislative process is followed. I can see each party setting target dates for states to choose from. But I do not agree with anointing 4 states permanent frontrunner status. Everybody complained about the 2008 primary season. My question is why? It worked fine—the DNC race was of course particularly exciting and the RNC race surprised the hell out of every GOP voter I talked to, in Florida anyway. The breakdown occurred when both parties confiscated delegates.

The mindset both political parties have towards this matter is reflective of the Federal government at present—controlling matters best left to the states. Whether you’re for the GOP or the DNC, your voice means just as much as a voter’s in Iowa, New Hampshire or the other lucky duckies with permanent frontrunner status. Check out your nearest presidential history record for the impact of frontrunner states on who the nominee is. Here’s an indisputable fact: when the candidates go looking for bucks, they hit Florida and other states just as enthusiastically as they do the party favorites.

For a clear look at who’s making recommendations about your political party, check out the other videos at The National Presidential Caucus. Not a single female is present from either party and there’s about as much diversity as you’ll find in a bowl of cloned goldfish. I’d suggest a letter to your political party leaders sooner rather than later.

Tags: Presidential Primary, US Politics, Political Party Rules, delegates, political conventions, National Presidential Caucus