Can any of us imagine showing up at caucus as "undecided"? What is up w/ these people?

[bettyellen]

I'm watching this funny little metaphorical tug of war over 4-5 undecideds and I have to smile and wonder.
Do they just like being courted? Or hope a reporter picks them for a quote on the news?

Humans are funny!

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Or they are struggling with the electability issue?

[stopbush]

2. Maybe they thought there was a free lunch provided, and that's why

they're there.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

20. Bernie, Burger, and a Beer

That would be some fine caucusing.

[stopbush]

21. Now, I'd go to that!

[peacebird]

3. I went door to door today for Bernie and found 1/6th of people saying they had not paid attention

and did not know who they would vote for. Our polls are 1March in Virginia.

So, yes, there are people who do not pay attention to politics like we do....

[bettyellen]

8. but Peacebird- showing up is different! You'd think if they wanted to spend hours at caucus....

they would spend a few hours this week making an informed decision. I know people who vote do this, but damn.

[peacebird]

10. True.. I was shocked by those I encountered, but had they showed up to vote without deciding....

On brighter side, 4 agreed to vote in primary for Bernie....

[bettyellen]

13. Well done! I do not mean to knock anyone for showing up. It's just amusing me in the midst of this

contentious primary. They showed a small group in the middle and a bunch of people braying at them from both sides. I had to laugh and wonder- who are you guys?!?!?

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. LOL. Braying is the perfect word for it.

[bettyellen]

16. It almost looked like a corporate team building game or something equally sucky, LOL.

Thinking further I realize I personally would HATE that kind of attention. But I have met people who would get off on it.
I am so glad my state is too late to matter. I am out of this horse race, and love it.

[oberliner]

4. Isn't that the whole reason for a caucus rather than a primary?

Isn't that why they have each candidate's representative give a speech?

[bettyellen]

9. Well I thought that was a pre-media age thing? Maybe they are old school!

[oberliner]

22. But Nevada only recently went to a caucus

To be honest, I don't understand why we don't just have one system for every state.

[bettyellen]

30. True! I don't like the parties having different days and different rules....

But then again I am still pissed all states have two senators, LOL.

I think the original caucus thing had a lot of campaigning going on there- probably a lot of bribing people too.
Just saw a funny Herzog documentary about trappers in Siberia- A Year In The Taiga. Funniest campaign stop you ever saw-
a bunch of people on a river bank watching a candidate and three singing costumed women deliver promises and bags of grain- from a boat! The candidate actually sang too. Now that was old school.

[Paulie]

5. Nope!

People are predictably unpredictable in the end.

[Matariki]

6. I think you nailed it - a chance to be in the media.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. Yes. I can.

...and I've hated the kind of "courting" that has gone on in this primary season thus far, which is the reason I am undecided.

[bettyellen]

11. fair enough! I guess if I was undecided I just would not show up. I have skipped over school board

votes for that reason.

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. I fully intend to participate in the Texas primary.

I am unsure of which way my vote will go. I've been trying to block out all of the poo being flung in both directions both here on DU and in "the real world" and get down to the basics. I have major issues with both candidates, but it's still my right to be part of the process.

[bettyellen]

18. Of course! I am hoping we turn Texas blue in my lifetime. And thanks for not poo flinging!

I am proud of all here who resist their baser impulses. I am keeping my eye on November, because of the poo.

[Agschmid]

14. They aren't really undecided.

And caucuses use social constructs to influence "undecided" voters.

[bettyellen]

17. Interesting! It is just a few voters, but I could see some thinking a pantomime might help.

Every vote could count. The odd things people think of, huh?

[Aerows]

19. I know!

I wondered that myself. You show up to a caucus but don't have your mind made up.

Are you wavering between who served the best snacks and who offered you more bottled water?

Who on earth would stand around for hours on end saying "I haven't made up my mind yet"?

There are better ways I can spend my time.

[bettyellen]

25. They have recorded 4 undecided delegates, LOL! WHAT THE HELL!

[Codeine]

24. Eeeeeevil unions.

[Codeine]

31. I agree with you on that (caucuses are an archaic stupidity)

but crying about "strongarm union tactics" isn't exactly in the Democratic wheelhouse.

[bettyellen]

26. you're kidding, right?

:headslap:

[MerryBlooms]

28. This time around, I can definitely see it.

Two solid Dem candidates to choose from... An entire clown car of republicans to choose from.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that those choosing from the clown car, will cross over, because there's one logic brain cell left in their head. :/

[bettyellen]

36. Good point! But would you show up for a three hour caucus if you hadn't decided?

*fingers crossed* o the clown car party running out of gas this year!

[MerryBlooms]

38. You know, I would. I would be talking to people in line...

my friends and family, checking news online up until I cast my vote... yeah, I would line up no matter what. If I were truly undecided at the time of my vote, I'd vote my gut with a clear conscience.

[bettyellen]

39. Well good on you then! It was a bizarre scene on TV, people shouting from both sides! I think I

would have ran screaming from the room, LOL.

[MerryBlooms]

41. Oh, I haven't seen any of it on TV. I've been goofing off with our cats and

and on the phone.

I didn't realize it was that chaotic! Yeah, me and my PTSD would probably be running for cover hot on your heels. *blush

[bettyellen]

43. they said it was 5-6 undecided, and they were surrounded on all sides by way too many people...

shouting at them. It sounded a bit like a game show or auction, LOL. Which prompted me thinking WHY?!?!? LOL.

[MerryBlooms]

44. Caucus states are out of my wheel house. I've only ever voted in a

primary vote state. Maybe these caucus states should move to a Yahtzee! primary vote.

[etherealtruth]

32. I can honestly understand this primary season

Though I like both Hillary and Bernie ... I definitely don't feel the Bern, nor do I have any interest in anointed ones. I will vote for the Democratic nominee ... and I won't have to hold my nose

i have toyed with the idea of idea of "raiding" the republican primary in my state (not something I would likely do ... just a fantasy) .... because the pluses and minuses for each of the Dem s are pretty equal, to me.

I generally stay out of GDP because it is not helpful

[bettyellen]

33. Well I am honored you stepped into my thread then! I won't look at most of GDP either......

so I get you! I am saving my energy for the general. And trying to interject some kindness into GDP whenever I can.
I am very proud to say that no one insulted anyone's supporters for my Town Hall threads. There was some Hill bashing, but it was minimal. That felt like an accomplishment.

[etherealtruth]

34. that's a good thing

Demonizing either candidate (both are good solid dems) does nothing for those of us struggling to decide or those not solidly committed.


You can't control responses in an OP but you can set the tone ... this sounded like you really wondered if (and who) people had really not made up their minds (not suggesting one side supporters were better than the other)

[bettyellen]

35. The few times I started debate or Town Hall threads I put " Be Nice" in the subject of OP.

and asked people to try and be kind in the thread. I know a lot of people stayed away because they didn't want to,which is fine.

But I thought it would be good for us all to see not everyone was into the mud slinging and most of us -on both sides!- will indeed be working together to win the WH. Saw a lot of new posters come out of hiding, and quite a few thanked me profusely for asking people to keep the rancor down.

[doc03]

37. I voted in Ohio this week I was totaly undecided I voted for the person

I thought was most likely to win the GE.

[MohRokTah]

40. I showed up to a caucus in 1984 as an undecided.

Went for Jackson first, but he wasn't viable and all that was left was Mondale.

[bettyellen]

42. Interesting! Makes more sense to me in a 3+ candidate race. But I'm just being impatient!