How does 94.6% white Iowa mirror a 80.1% white nation? It doesn’t. Even if I use your figures, Iowa is not representative of the country. You may not like race as an issue, but like it or not, 25% of this country is populated by non-white people. We need representation of the entire makeup of this nation…

What part of the national primary system don’t you understand? Iowa does not have to represent anything but the makeup of Iowa. Iowa is important only because it is first. It doesn’t pretend to be a microcosm for the rest of the country. The same goes for N.H. and S.C. They get the chance to set the trends because they are early in the process. At the conventions Iowa will not have more power than the number of delegates they get accords them. When all the states have completed their primaries, if whites took the opportunity to vote, then they were represented and if minorities bothered to vote, then they were also represented. You want representation join the process , vote.

Miss Ladybug said:
Here in Texas, I can vote in either primary when I go to the polls.

Same here at the northern end of I-35, Ladybug, no party registration is required as it is in places like Calif.

But if you mean about independent Americans, their candidates obviously aren’t in either party’s primary.

Today is national primary day…all candidates are on the ballot. (it is also the 2nd tuesday in August) Tonight we know who got the nomination from each party..in 3 months we all vote again in the general election…No runoffs, it’s just that simple…

LuxEternam

How does 94.6% white Iowa mirror a 80.1% white nation? It doesn’t. Even if I use your figures, Iowa is not representative of the country. You may not like race as an issue, but like it or not, 25% of this country is populated by non-white people. We need representation of the entire makeup of this nation…

Peejz said:
purplepeep- by the time that Super Tuesday rolls around, some candidates are out

I’m figuring if a candidate drops out between now and Feb s/he doesn’t stand much chance to began with – it’s just a sad reality of politics. Sometimes the cream sinks to the bottom; actually, probably more often that not. But “some gotta win, some gotta lose, Good time Charlie’s got the blues.”

Reagan almost pulled it off at the 1976 Convention. I find a real “nominating convention” amazing politics to behold.

If done with one primary, and one general election, all voters get a say.

Americans who are independent voters get the short end of the stick, though. Maybe an “all candidates” primary where everyone is on equal footing might work. Though you’d probably have to set up Euro-style run-offs. Of course, wisdom dictates avoiding anything Euro.

Watching the primary system is watching political sausage being made. Not a pretty sight.

LuxEternam, farmers and Evangelicals are not the issue. The issue is the fact that Iowa is 97% white which does not represent this country.

Uhhhhh…..thanks for agreeing with my point about farmers and Evangelicals. I suggest you re-read my post which was saying EXACTLY the same thing in reponse to Rusty’s contention that the candidates have to suck up to as he stated “farmers and Evangelicals.” My point was that Iowa is far from being run by those two groups.

My point is politically that the makeup mirrors the nation. I tend not to think in terms of race making a difference. This is a political process. Too many people try to tie race to politics, and I for one am tired of it.

As far as Iowa being “97% white” the number is actually 92.6% and falling rapidly. (Nationally white people account for just over 75% of the population according to the 2000 census) Iowa’s demographics are changing daily. With it’s numerous meat packing facilities, Iowa is a huge magnet for illegal immigrants. That is why so many ICE raids happen here, and why immigration is one of the top discussions points. White children are now a minority in the elementary school my kids went to due to changes in Iowa’s Welfare rules that are attracting thousands of imports from the Chicago area.

Again I still say that Iowa is a valid state in which to start the Primary/Caucus process.

Although I am sick and tired of non-stop constant political commercials and robo calls from the candidates and will be glad when they leave!!!!!! The Paulian’s called me THREE TIMES yesterday!!! (No I am not voting for the “Crazy Uncle”!!!

Miss Ladybug said:
Thanks, but no thanks, purplepeep. I’ll not go back to the way presidents were selected prior to the early 20th Century.

I dunno, Ladybug. Yeah, ya got your duds, but you got the Lincolns too. Pretty much the same results then/now. I’m more excited about the cigars aspect.

If you win it doesn’t mean you are going to win. If you lose, it doesn’t mean you are going to lose. But if you win by a huge margin, that says something about your chances against the rest of the field. If you lose by a huge margin in comparison with the rest of the field, that says something about your chances too.

This is the same candidates going against each other. If I’m the best candidate, I expect to do well even if I don’t win.