So when do all the primaries start?

[brettdale]

Is it true that the first one isn't until January 2008.

[rep the dems]

1. It always is. I think the exact date is January 14th. nt

[brettdale]

2. thanks

Still a long way off, so much happens in a year.

[rep the dems]

3. That is true.

Still, we've come a long way since the 2004 election, and another year doesn't seem that bad to me. But with the way the media is talking, you'd think the primaries started next week.

[onecent]

4. I have a question. Even with the fear of sounding stupid, I'm going to ask.

What happens....How do the primaries work?

I'm a senior citizen, and I'm embarrassed to say, I REALLY don't know how the process is conducted.

I have mainly become interested in politics when I realized about 6 years ago that we have a fuckin' maniac in the whitehouse.

Can anyone let some of the others here know what happens.

I'm confused on how a democratic and repub candidate is confirmed.

Thank you for a little education.

[Patsy Stone]

5. Well

There is a series of primary elections in various states over the next year -- New Hampshire's is the first one. The winners of these primaries have a certain number of delegates awarded to them in representative proprotion to the percentage of votes, primaries won, etc.

At the convention, the delegates convene to nominate the party candidate. The more delegates you have, the more votes you have guaranteed you (i.e. Clark delegates usually vote for Clark). Although rare, if there is no candidate with a majority of delegates, the convention chooses the party's candidate.

Here's a much more complete description:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_primary

There are no stupid questions. :)