I know you’ve probably been waiting to hear me say that. But it wasn’t about what you think it was. I just found out that I actually can vote in the Virginia primary. I thought there was a primary-specific registration and that I had missed the deadline.
I’ve just discovered that this is not the case. It goes to show that the complexity of the primary process can easily be lost on even those who avidly follow politics. I think it desperately needs to be simplified, and I’d love to see national primary day where all states vote all at once.
Regardless of what I’d like to see, primary day is today for me. Provided I can get home in time despite the expected ice and snow we’re supposed to get this afternoon, there’s going to be one more vote in Virginia for Ron Paul today.
I suspect that a National Primary Day would end up favoring moneyed, establishment candidates even more than the system we have now does.
Zach,
I’ve heard that argument, but I think things are changing. Ron Paul was a nobody without the Internet, but his online campaigning - much of it done by staff, volunteers or fans - was why anyone became aware of him at all.
As Gen-Xers like me (and Gen-Y now too) are coming of voting age, I think that this shift will become more significant. Traditional media blitzes and campaigns will have their place, but the social media component will be a huge factor.
And I think that might make a national primary doable. People will know the candidates who have less resources and more substance, because the internet doesn’t care how much money you’ve got. Ideas are what buys exposure here.
Possibly, but I don’t see us quite there yet, or for some time.
Consider the revelation of how empty the Guiliani canidacy was when confronted with reality over several primaries … that couldn’t have happened with a national primary. And it seems to me that Ron Paul is picking up momentum going forward (not enough to win, sadly).
But, nobody who decides stuff asks me about these things. I wasn’t even consulted about moving the Michigan primary date.
peace,