Um, The First Primary is TODAY

[rucky]

DC.

Nonbinding, but Sharpton is playing to win.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040107-112934-8887r.htm

(sorry about the Moonie Times ref, but the Post is not really covering this ?!)

The only candidates on the ballot are Sharpton, Dean, Braun & Kucinich. Dean is expected to win - mostly due to expected low voter turnout: http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040105-115831-9614r.htm

Could this be why Sharpton's got Dean in his crosshairs? Nevermind that the other candidates didn't even sign up for this one.

Ultimately, it's not going to add up to anything for or against anybody - winner, loser or no-show. But that says something in itself.

[Freddie Stubbs]

1. If Dean wins with an electorate that is majority African American

It will prove that Sharpton has little influence in the African American community.

[CMT]

2. well Dean has really worked DC too

he won endorsements from most of the DC city councilmembers--mostly minority. He has visited and spoke out on statehood. If Dean wins I think it bodes well for his strength with minority voters.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Last I heard....Dean had 45%....Sharpton 11%

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=146197&nid=213



(Meant for Post #1)

[chimpymustgo]

11. DC City Council is majority WHITE.

13 members - 7 white.
3 of the blacks on the council did endorse Dean, who had promised to campaign in the city, which hoped to highlight it's lack of voting representation by holding this primary.

McAuliffe asked the candidates not to participate, because it violates NH's first in the nation status.

Dean, of course, went ahead and got on the ballot, got the endorsements, and we haven't seen him here since.

No delegates will be chosen in the primary.

[ShimokitaJer]

3. No effect on the nomination process, maybe

But DC does have three electoral votes... and I'm sure they know how to use them. No, DC's votes will probably never go to a Republican, but in 2000, one was given to Bush as a statement to highlight the Democratic Party's silence on DC's voting rights issue.

Okay, only in the closest of races (and with no breakdown I can imagine) would DC's three electors be an issue, but the dismissing of this primary and the assumption of later support by the candidates who didn't bother to have their names on the ballot WILL be remembered by DC voters who feel abandoned by the tradtional Democratic party leadership.

[rucky]

4. How tough could it be

to put your name on the ballot & stump in DC for a day or two? Seems that it only hurts you if you don't do it... even if it doesn't help you if you do.

I'll withhold judgement until the February DC caucus - the one that counts.

[ShimokitaJer]

5. I understand the DNC encouraged the candidates not to do so

And only those four decided to ignore the directive from party leadership. The party has a piss-poor record of support for DC statehood.

[rucky]

8. Backing that up...

http://www.thehoya.com/news/111103/news8.cfm

The DNC has objected to the early primary since it was signed into law by Mayor Anthony Williams (D) last March.

“Two specific rules compel me to make this difficult decision,” Edwards wrote in his letter, according to Bill O’Field, public information officer for the D.C. BOEE. O’Field said the other candidates all cited similar concerns with party laws that prohibit their involvement in any “beauty pageant,” or in any caucus or primary before those in Iowa and New Hampshire.


Party LAW? Beauty pageant?
:wtf:
Um, no offense, but party law forbids me to participate in your beauty pageant.

[ShimokitaJer]

10. It reflects the divide in the party a bit

It will be very easy, if not entirely fair, to point out the divide between those who participated and those who followed the party line as a divide between "Washington outsiders" (ironic, isn't it) and party establishment candidates.

[rucky]

12. Seems to be a clear example

based on voluntary decisions, not just fluffy labels.

[returnable]

7. I think the issue...

...wasn't that it was too "tough" to get on the ballot and stump in DC.

I read somewhere that the other candidates declined to participate in deference to maintaining Iowa and New Hampshire's "first in the nation" status.

[rucky]

9. The compromise was that it would be nonbinding

seems reasonable.

Wouldn't we rather start off in a "blue state", anyways?

[ThirdWheelLegend]

13. "due to expected low voter turnout"

Lowered expectations?

TWL

[PVnRT]

14. The DC primary has rarely, if ever, meant anything

They don't even send delegates to the national convention.

[slinkerwink]

15. I think Dean will take 55% of the vote......

[maddezmom]

16. so who all voted today @ DU?

:)

[chimpymustgo]

17. I voted. Write in.

But according to news reports, some voters were being told by precinct workers they couldn't write in a candidate's name.