National speakers say ‘Keep NH first’

[JI7]

<The keynote speakers at the Democratic state convention yesterday, Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Mark Warner, the former Governor of Virginia, said they were firmly in support of keeping New Hampshire first.

Their positions echoed that of other potential White House candidates who have visited the Granite State — including the 2004 Democratic candidate, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) — but broke with members of the Democratic National Committee who are considering scheduling one or two caucuses before New Hampshire’s primary.

“I am 100 percent for the New Hampshire primary being first,” Feingold said in an interview. “I think it is a wonderful tradition. It is an incredibly valuable thing that teaches people about politics and government.”

Feingold warned that abandoning New Hampshire’s unique brand of retail politics in favor of larger states with bigger media markets would be detrimental to American democracy.

“If we let the presidential primary turn into a big media war, we will have lost one of the most important parts of our Democratic system,” he said. “It is that person-to-person interaction that people get with politicians in New Hampshire that is so valuable.” >


http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=National+speakers+say+%E2%80%98Keep+NH+first%E2%80%99&articleId=c35132bd-8fd5-48c6-9322-424c13a9282c

[saltpoint]

1. There's a romantic thrill to the New Hampshire primary that I love but

a strong case could be made that one state should not be the first arbiter of the party's nominee.

Shirts-and-skins might work.

Maybe a deliberately multi-regional, multi-state same-day primary for 25 states for one presidential election year (Shirts), then the other 25 for the next presidential election 4 years later (Skins). Every other pres. election, fully 25 different states would nominate our candidate for president, and not just 1 or 2.

That way the attention is evenly spread out, the voting demographics are more representative, the money is evenly spent, smaller markets are no less ignored than they are now, grassroots organizations and volunteerism could matter as much as warchests, and everybody has a chance to participate equally when all the candidates are on the docket.

A volunteer for a candidate in New Mexico would be on equal ground as a volunteer in Alaska or Mississippi. Simultaneously cast votes levels the playing field for a variety of candidates, too.

[Lasher]

2. I'm with you, Crusoe

The way it is now a handful of states effectively pick the Democratic candidate, and when it gets around to the other states, decision time is pretty much over. I have never liked that.

[saltpoint]

3. Hi, Lasher. Yeah. The way it is now everyone can kind of focus on

Iowa and New Hampshire, and those folks run a great electoral system. Not to take anything away from that.

But just to expand the event so that candidates I might really like aren't eliminated before I've had a fair shot at supporting them.

It just seems as if it would be a healthier competition.

[ixion]

4. As long as there are girls on the 'skins' team

I think it's a great idea. :+ (just kidding)

Really, though, while I think the NH primary is politically romantic, I think it's outdated, as I think the entire electoral college is outdated.

We should really seek a more nationwide dialog.

[saltpoint]

5. Hi, ixion. Agree with you totally on the entire electoral system.

& would support widespread, sweeping reforms.

Nice to see you again on DU.

[ixion]

9. Hi Old Crusoe

thanks... always good to see you as well. :hi:

[Vinca]

6. Thank you, Russ et al.

The New Hampshire primary is the best thing about New Hampshire (IMHO).

[Neshanic]

7. Let's play it safe. Is this a surprise? More people would vote...

if they felt the decision already had not been made for them by a couple of states that lean towards the mayo amd whitebread menu.

[Pastiche423]

8. Not being able to vote for the candidate of my choice

ONCE AGAIN in 2004, was what made me change my registration to Independent after thirty two years of being a Dem.

[One_Life_To_Give]

10. Small Primaries Neautralize Big Corporate Money

Wihtout small primaries. We would be luckey to have 2 candidates bother to run. The larger primaries lke Super Tuesday are all about having 50 million plus to think about entering. Only the leaderships first choice candidate is likely to bother running in such an environment.

[wordpix2]

11. good point. I think candidates should go to small states first, work up

to gradually larger states, ending with largest.

[high density]

12. Man, I sure wish election day was staggered throughout a few months

Wouldn't it be fantastic to give the corporate media machine even a greater edge on fixing our elections? Instead of just picking our candidate for us, it would be great if they also had more influence on selecting our next (Republican) president as well.