It's this "partial credit" primary that is hurting the Democratic Party.

The Republicans have had a clear nominee since late February. They have a winner-take-all system which made it easy for a frontrunner to emerge.

The Democrats have this partial credit system--delegates are proportional, not winner-take-all. As a result, the race has been much closer and even the delegate "math" is problematic, because it does not take into account the political reality that Senator Clinton has won most of the big states like NY, CA, PA, FL (which does not count because of the party hissy fit) etc.

So while Barack may have won the numbers, the party is still stymied by the fact that Clinton won the states that will make her the most competitive with McCain.

Whatever happens in this election, the Dems should unite and support the nominee. I am on record saying that I would support a banana slug with D after its name. :)

But for 2012, for GOD'S SAKE HOWARD DEAN--A winner take all system please!!!

(And try not to punish states that are indicators of real political strength.)


Namaste,

Elspeth

And doesn't allow us to put more red states in Play, like we're seeing with Obama.

Sorry - I'll never settle for that kind of crap.

Tonight the Democrats covered extensively by the media almost as if the Republicans don't exist. Now we have the Childers result as well. If the Democrats when the White House and slaughter the Republicans in the Congressional races, they might have to rethink their winner-take-all strategy.

It should matter if a candidate wins a state 51 - 49 or 70 - 30.

for the most basic party rules.

Do away with the vast majority of super delegates by all means.

But apportionment is closer to a democratic ideal.

count on Hillary


It isn't the system, it is Sen. Clinton's ego

You can't trust human motivations or perceptions. The winner-take-all system would have ended this much earlier and DUers wouldn't be at each others' throats.

So would've not having supers.

He's about finished his time as the party chair. It'll be interesting to see who emerges in that role.

convention delegates.

eom

It was ovr after WI. There just has to be a mop up operation.

..

It was just a matter of when he'd reach 2025.

it makes this nation appear far more right wing than its population actually is.

I'd prefer instant run off voting. First and second choice. Let us have more than two parties. I know you're talking about primaries, but diversity is better for democracy, imo.

in toto even adding in the unopposed races. They now face a challenge from Bob Barr and an insurrection from Ron Paul. Maybe winner take all isn't working so good for them either.

something that is revealed by the fact that he didn't win the popular vote, but yet he is still going to be the nominee. I think the way we split up the delegates is a bit more democratic in that (hopefully) the will of the voters translates into a nominee.

The system we have now helps reward strong Dem districts, often minority districts. With a winner take all, it would be even more focus on the white vote in most states which wouldn't be useful for our Party or country.

A proportional delegate system would make sense if the Presidential election was awarded proportionally. The fact is, minorities are not accurately represented during Presidential elections. While this is unfair, and I personally disagree with this system and its promotion of inequities, the strongest candidate will therefore come from a system that accurately reflects the system they will be competing in.

For instance, if you win a primary based on proportional delegate rewards, you are not adequately prepared for a winner-take-all system. It is sort of as if you had spent 6 months learning to play soccer, only to learn you are going to be playing football for the big game. It makes no sense.

I think it actually helps us to make sure our candidates target the districts we have to turn out in order to win. What good would it do to target all the white voters in CA, for instance, when the white voters are going to vote for the Republican. You'd get the wrong person to excite the base in the GE.

Let's wait till November before we throw our system under the bus.

Forgot to mention: this system is not actually proportional. It all seems completely bizarre to me, and set up as a system that seems interesting in theory but completely nonsensical in practise.