Regional presidential primaries? HUH?

[Carolab]

Saw this on Wash. Journal this a.m.--a part of the Carter-Baker commission recommendations? What is this all about?

[Liberty Belle]

1. Don't know. Kick!

[craigolemiss]

2. like Super Tuesday

Not much different than now, but more regionalized states having primaries on the same day. Now many primaries from very distant states arre the same day---Just a reasonable plan---

Consider 10 primary dates each with 5 states voting on that day, and each of these 5 states to be contiguous or close.

Fairly practical really.

instead of for example Maine, Arizona, Washington and Florida the same day, Have Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana all on the same day.

Just an example

[Carolab]

3. Won't that be easier to RIG???? n/t

[craigolemiss]

4. Really a matter of how much tin foil is in your hat.

Since each states elections are controlled at the state level...it seems to me that Its no easier or difficult either way.

[Carolab]

5. But, if one state is trending one way and one another....

If it's all pooled together as "one regional result", wouldn't it be easier to manipulate one state's results to balance another's and make it even HARDER to audit and investigate?

[craigolemiss]

6. No--Each state is still seperate

Just that the Groupings of states would be regional

[Jim Lane]

15. Might well be a good idea

I don't see vote-rigging as an issue. As it is now, there are several dates on which multiple states hold primaries. Clustering them geographically simply means that the candidates could spend more time meeting voters and less time flying around.

One advantage of regional primaries with rotating dates is that people from all over the country would have an equal chance at casting the more influential early votes. The present system is unfairly tilted toward Iowa and New Hampshire.

An argument against it is that it would be harder for a poorly funded candidate to do well early and pick up momentum. Under the present system, a candidate who has more message than money can gain some attention in Iowa and New Hampshire before hitting the stretch of the calendar where there are multiple primaries on the same day, and money becomes more important.

[Wilms]

7. Dang if the cut/paste won't work.

The text says their endorsing the Nat. Assoc. of Sec. of State's recommendation for 4 "regional primaries", at one month intervals (March-June), with region's rotating calendar position every four years, with aim to create a more "rational" and inclusive/representitive process.

[Carolab]

8. Wilms, saw that too...I don't trust this...what's up here? n/t

[Wilms]

13. On it's face it seems reasonable.

How might it be rigged more so than it is already?

[DemInDistress]

9. I haven't seen the proposals

but coming from James {New Pearl Harbor} Baker I dont trust anything
he puts forth.Baker is PNAC,I like Carter but !!! I have reservations
is he becoming like Bill Clinton.I can't put my anger toward the Bsuh
Crime Family away.I remain suspicious...

[Carolab]

10. I know what you mean, ever since I saw Carter's picture at Bohemian Grove,

I've "wondered" about him, too.

They are opposite sides of the same coin.

[DemInDistress]

14. wow...I didn't know that Carol

Jimmy Carter spending the weekend at the Bohemian Grove,I read some
warped practices go on there,the filty rich act out and even do a
mock sacrifice,Arnold visited the Grove and a week later announced his
run for Governor of California.
Your pretty sharp, ty..

[craigolemiss]

11. Anyone have the link for the PDF of the Proposal?

I have it someplace but think I dumped it in one of those folders called "Stuff" on my hard driver along with 10,000 other files I will never find again.

[Wilms]

12. Here

Home Page

http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/

Full Report

http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/report/full_report.pdf