Bernie led the recent fight to retain the caucuses, instead of shifting to primaries everywhere.

[pnwmom]

And he claims this is a good thing.

Here's why it isn't. In my state, we had a near record turnout in 2016: 4.5%.

There is no such thing as a secret ballot. You have to debate and vote on issues in public -- even if you don't want your spouse, neighbor, or boss to know how you voted.

Voting requires you to be available at a specific time for several hours or longer. In my state if you're in a rural area you might have to travel hours to get to a caucus.

The voters of my state hate caucuses so much hardly anyone goes to them, and we strongly approved a referendum to replace them with a primary. But the Democratic party went to court to keep the caucuses, and the judge ruled that the party can choose its nominees however it wants to.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/09/democrats-recommend-superdelegate-fixes-will-keep-caucuses/?utm_term=.0512f7959e3e

The Democratic Party’s Unity Reform Commission, created to retool the primary process in the wake of the bitter 2016 contest between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), ended with a dramatic short-term win for the Sanders faction as a motion to favor primaries over caucuses was stopped by one vote.

“The Democratic Party will not become a vibrant and successful 50-state party until it opens its doors widely to the working people and young people of our country,” Sanders said in a statement. “I am extremely pleased that the Unity Reform Commission has begun that process, voting nearly unanimously to limit the role of superdelegates along with making our caucuses and primaries more democratic.”

SNIP

Sanders, like former president Barack Obama, had dominated in caucuses in his insurgent bid against Hillary Clinton. But the caucuses themselves, which often require voters to come to single locations for hours at a time, have been criticized for limiting the ability of voters with weekend jobs or personal commitments.

[Cha]

1. It's voter suppression so it's NOT a good thing.. Listen to Paul Waldman

not BS.

Link to tweet

Thanks, pnwmom

[Phoenix61]

2. I've never understood caucuses

If everyone can't vote in the primary what's to get them excited about voting in the general? IMHO, having primaries gets people excited about the candidates. It also lets them know if they have been removed from the voting rolls in time to be registered for the general election.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Because it's less expensive to hold caucuses instead of primaries.

I believe that another one of the Western states was considering it a few years ago since the state would save money. I don't think that idea was looked upon favorably after 2016 though.

[pnwmom]

11. It costs MUCH MORE in my state -- so they pass around envelopes at the caucuses

and beg us to contribute.

EVEN THOUGH we wouldn't have to pay a dime to switch to primaries, because the state funds the voter-approved primary. Dems even vote in the primary, but it's a "beauty contest." The votes don't count toward delegates, because that's how the party wants it.The party even went to court to insist on its right to select delegates via caucuses instead of the primary. (The GOP uses the state funded primary -- they shut down their caucuses after the state's voters voted to have a primary instead.

[GoCubsGo]

4. How the hell does he have any say in the matter?

He is not a Democrat.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. The Party's URC Asked Him

That's sort of a slam dunk for having an opinion, no?

[McCamy Taylor]

5. Caucuses are easier to rig.

[bullwinkle428]

6. Aren't those decisions in the hands of the states themselves?

[MrsCoffee]

7. Sanders outperformed expectations in caucuses.

And felt threatened by the super delegates.

As always, it’s about what is best for him, not the Democratic Party.

[Gothmog]

8. Who is surprised by this?

Caucuses are not democratic and should be abolished

[NCTraveler]

9. Fringe elements always stand a better chance in a system where the fewest numbers are involved. nt