DFLers to consider changing date of precinct caucuses

[pruner]

Dane Smith, Star Tribune
Published September 20, 2003

A political calendar change that could bring more Democratic presidential candidates to Minnesota and more national media attention to the state's precinct caucuses will be considered today at the DFL State Central Committee meeting in Willmar.

Holding precinct caucuses Feb. 17 instead of Super Tuesday, March 2, as prescribed in state law, could make Minnesota a more prominent battleground for the Democratic presidential nomination, backers of the proposal say. And that would help generate higher turnout and more energy and enthusiasm for party causes and other candidates in 2004.

"The bottom line on this whole thing is getting more people to caucuses," said Rick Stafford, a Central Committee member from Minneapolis and a former party chairman. "Presidential candidates will put more financial resources and time into getting people to caucuses, and that's healthy for the party."

<snip>

The switch has opponents within the party, who say that deviating from the official caucus date would be confusing, expensive and unnecessary. Some suggest that it appears to be pushed primarily by Minnesota supporters of a particular presidential candidate, namely former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

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http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/4108369.html

EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS

[TygrBright]

1. Wow.... You gotta wonder about the quality of journalism...

...when the reporter can't even get a prominent Minnesota DFL pol's nickname right.

Since when has Skippy been called "Buck?"

Or have I just been away from Minnesota too long?

confused,
Bright

[dflprincess]

3. Buck Humphrey is Hubert the IV

He is Hubert the III's son. HHHIII is Skip. I only wonder what will happen if there is Hubert the V.

[TygrBright]

4. Ahhhh, thank you....

....I have been away for awhile.

One loses count.

Doesn't sound like Bucky is a throwback to Grandad, more's the pity.

regretfully,
Bright

[dflprincess]

2. Drat and there's no way I can make the meeting Saturday

First one I've missed in years.

While I would like to see our caucuses held earlier, I don't think we should deviate from the date set by law this year. Getting the word out about the official date is difficult enough. If the DFL goes off on its own the only people who will show up are the activists -either general party hacks or those who are committed to a candidate. I would bet there are a lot of undecideds out there who may attend because they are concerned about Iraq or the economy. One of the advantages to the caucus system is that it can attract issues based people into the process. Changing the date could cut more people out of it.

Out here in the burbs attendence has been dismal for a long time. I've thought that this might be the year we see a change in that. This could backfire for any of the candidates. But I'll bet if the date is changed we'll see fewer people show up.

[CMT]

5. Minnesota is shaping up as a solid Dean state

I think he would do well in the caucuses.