The Maverick Conservative

See previous entries on possible first ballot convention deadlock (which means the Presidential nominess would be determined in the "back rooms", rather than really by thevoters).

This is irony squared.  The ONLY way to make sure that every person's vote counts in the nomination process is to have a national primary day (which is really the story behind the February 5 "super primary" day).

However, if ALL states have their primary on the same day, it is LIKELY that NO candidate will receive a majority of the delegates (in any year where there is a strongly contested race for the nomination, as distinguished from, for example, a President being renominated).   That means that ALL of the primary voters may see their vote rendered meaningless (ok, that is not quite true, as the candidates try to "spin" the primary results into a convention "win", but it is partially true). 

This would be BAD for any political party that suffered this result (especially if the "leader" after the national primary did not get the nominatiion). 

That was what was good about the earlier state by state system, even though it left many voters out.  Candidates had to win OVER TIME.  The closer it gets to a national primary, the more that an undeserving candidate may win--almost by accident (Howard Dean in 2004, for example).

Beware of unintended consequences of "reform". 

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• #1 Comment from cstewart26@...
  12/16/07 12:07 PM | Permalink

  If we make a fair tax how can the Democrats afford to put my children through medical school (or any profession of their choice), provide me with full medical coverage, and fund all medical research? During the first debate, EVERY candidate promised these things. In addition, haven't you noticed property taxes, sales taxes, school taxes, and the great thing of property assessment? The government is already doing this. Why would they give up what they already have + more? Not real realistic thinking. Shouldn't we be asking the representatives to give something up? The government is the only organization that I know of that with only two terms of service gets half of their salary in pension for life. I tend to support the president's pension, but not for the senators and representatives. Too many, too short a time frame.