Well, does California matter?

[cally]

DUers in Cali please check in. This isn't about the nominee :-), but how should we choose a nominee in the future? Political campaigns are absurdly expensive here. So our vote barely matters but the fundraisers matter. The small states like Iowa and NH have much more influence than we do. I'm annoyed that 50,000 folks decide who is electable. Californians please check in. What do you think?

I'm also interested in residents of other large states.

[proud patriot]

1. Grumble Grumble Grumble

:-(

[Cleita]

2. I'm here, but I don't know what to think.

It seems like we should matter, but apparently we don't. I'm mystified. And why is Governor Davis becoming an actor? :shrug:

[cally]

3. LOL

Who knows? I'm not sure we matter as much as NH which infuriates me.

[nini]

4. we should have all the primaries the same day

why should we even bother over here?

[mitchtv]

5. yes Cally, it annoys me plenty

we are relegated to an "i guess so" or "well, if you insist".I know the reasons why= to protect small rural voters etc small states yada yada yada. it saves money .

[Melsky]

6. I've never understood the primaries

I think it should rotate, with diferent states being first at diferent times, or it should all be on the same day.

I do feel under represented.

[Dagaz]

7. Yup CA, NY FL MI and other big states are waiting

While it's true that we don't get to give anyone the big MO as long as nobody has it wrapped up they need delegates. What if Dean starts a comeback or Edwards takes off or even Clark? Who do you think would have won if CA was first? Do you campaign in the North, South or Central valley?

[Journeyman]

8. We should have rotating regional primaries. . .

with opening dates varying between regions. In this way, candidates will be able to focus efforts on a particular region of the nation at one time, and be held accountable for knowing that region's needs. Travel time and expenses would be reduced, as would the need to build extensive bases of active support in widely-divergent areas of the nation. Finally, from a citizen's standpoint, it gives each of us the opportunity -- at least once in our lives -- to vote first in the election and feel our opinion and vote truly counts. I envision maybe five regions, so each would vote first every twenty years at most. Some sort of on-going lottery might be used to determine voting order, so as to avoid any repetitious ordering. Needs a lot of work, I admit, but the idea has always appealed to me.

[cally]

9. I posted, but I campaigned in NH

I'm still shocked. You don't have to pay for bumper stickers and signs. They give them to you. :eyes: The voters call very annoyed that they haven't got their sign quickly enough. I'm not dissing them, but in a Cali perspective it's absurd. We are ignored.

[HawkerHurricane]

10. I don't claim to understand it.

It looks like it's set up to minimize the big states.

Just like the electoral college does.

[frustrated_lefty]

11. CA counts! n/t

[Kathleen04]

12. I'm in California too

I do wish we were a little bit further ahead in the process, but if the delegates are close going into the March Super Tuesday then we could actually be a deciding force..so I'm not too upset.

Also, didn't the CA primary used to be in June and they moved it up to March?

[iowapeacechief]

13. Sure could matter for Kucinich!

<grin>

[LWolf]

15. I hope so.

Have any so cal DUers caught sight of the Kucinich banners on the freeway yet?

:hi:

[genius]

14. I like the idea of the talking caucusses in Iowa but I wish

California were in February.

[not systems]

16. It should...

the way it is tilts against urban, minority and liberal influence.

CA should move to the head of the line maybe people would
quit carping about the south then.

[ShadowCabinet]

17. Not if the pundits have their say.......

By the way the talking heads on Fox, CNN and MSNBC are talking, it's all over. Kerry is the "presumptive nominee".

This with 10% of the state primaries and caucuses having been held. It' s turning into a farce. The media is so marginalizing the process so voters can have their say.

PS....Don't feel too bad. I'm in NJ. Our primary isn't until June. Things are just about decided by then, so talk about feeling disenfranchised in this selection process!

[windansea]

18. nope....let's secede fron the Union

and take the 5th largest economy in the world with us

heh heh

[DianeG5385]

19. California Matters!

It may go for Clark

[jansu]

20. The Conservative States are calling it!

By the time it gets to California, it has been decided by the more conservative states, most, if not all of those states went Republican last time and they should decide for us?

Let's do it all on the same day! That would be truly democratic! Get everyone you know to pass the word, that we don't want our candidates to withdraw from this process until the Convention. The media is howling for them to do so, but they just want to save the money it is costing them.

Beside, we are getting our message across to all of America. Where would the debates and primary coverage be without all these candidates? We would have to listen to Bush & Co!!!

Just like the elections hours should be the same across the nation...or outlaw the media from calling it before all States are done.

[Capn Sunshine]

21. This year, WE MATTER

The Dean campaign's plan to take the lions share of delegates in California is what will make this a horserace.

[ContinentalOp]

22. No,

It sure doesn't feel like we matter. But then again it doesn't really feel like we matter in the general election either so why should we have a voice in the primaries? :)

[WillyT]

23. Nope, And I Say...

Let's toss Arnold overboard and paddle this rock, and our asses over to Hawaii!!!

I'm ready for the state of Calawaii!!!

:smoke::smoke::smoke: