I always thought the compressed primary schedule was about...

[Fabio]

elites and the media wanting to maintain leverage in the process. That may be still be true, but cruising around DU these days, I can see the wisdom in not wanting a prolonged primary fight among should be allies. It's pretty wicked around here, and I am guilty too. I guess ultimately I have faith in the general american public's short memory span and DU's ultimate focus on the larger goals for a more progressive, responsible america. But man, we are risking it.

[EffieBlack]

1. It was Howard Dean's idea - to ensure that more diverse states had a say in the early primaries

I must admit, I was staunchly opposed to the plan because I believed that the media would allow Iowa and New Hampshire - two of the whitest states in the country - to determine the outcome. But that hasn't happened. Now, as a result of this plan, Hispanics have had a say and now, in South Carolina, the black vote will also be critical.

Actually, I think this has frustrated the media because the voters defied all of their predictions.

[Fabio]

2. I think you are right about this.

And hopefully, the high profile, national nature of this cycle, will make the candidates more general election ready. I always thought the Kerry Campaign was poorly served in that way...they basically ran about 10 state wide campaigns of various sizes and depth, but never developed a real national strategy (until too late anyway).

[sandnsea]

3. A longer process would tone this down

The perception that IA & NH would be the end of the race, and then NV & SC, and then Super Tuesday, is what pushes the rhetoric to such disproportionate levels. When every election seems like it's all or nothing, it's natural to believe it's okay to pull out all the stops for a few days. But then there's the regrouping and the next all or nothing election, and candidates find a few stops they had previously overlooked, and it gets louder again.

They need to set a date for announcing any intention to run as no earlier than one year before the election. The primary should be set up so that IA & NH go first, and then a lottery after that and no more than 5 elections on any given day. It should be no longer than three months, states like mine that aren't until May should be kicked in the butt. What the hell is that? May? June? What are our elected people thinking about?

When running a national campaign, I would guess nothing is universal in this country except bbq and don't even express a favorite on that. I live in the west. Outdoor recreation is not elitist. :crazy:

[Fabio]

4. But, but!!!

John Kerry was basically a gay-loving, frenchmen coward who married a rich ferner because he competitively windsurfs, snowboards and bikes past 60. Exercise and outdoors = passion = un-godly. This country has got lots of all sorts of folks who'll believe whatever they want to -- the sad irony IMHO being they are actually doing not what they want but what they are told to by their chosen media, their job, almost inevitably the parents and (seemingly more and more) their church.

[sandnsea]

5. BBQ, Bluegrass and Babies

That can be our answer to God, Guns and Gays!

I only want $250,000 for that sage advise!

And hell that's cheap. :)