American Politics

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

K i've been keeping up with this whole presidential candidacy ish. But I'm very lost, to say the least. What's this whole 'caucus' deal? Who chooses the states? Why is there a convention in boston of the democrats?

If anyone has links to show America's political system and its breakdown, it'd be most helpful...

Hey, I'm in Toronto, i'm more accustomed to parties and such. Not this whole 'caucus' situation. Lol. Hey, we're based on British parliament dammit! :)

[allixpeeke]

From what I can make of this whole caucas thing, people argue, they debate, and somehow they come to choose a candidate for that state. It's all rather confusing. It'd probably make more sense to me if I could see it first hand, and how it works out. Luckily for us in Maryland, I don't believe we have a caucus. I think we just have a primary election.

<<Why is there a convention in boston of the democrats?>>

I believe that&#39;s to choose the actual candidate for the party. Each party has them. Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, etc.

I&#39;ll be going up to Boston during the DNC, so I&#39;ll probably learn more about it then. I&#39;m going with a girl who used to post here as Peaceful Anarchy, and we&#39;ll be meeting a Feminist who works in the Boston NOW, as well as a chef. But I guess that&#39;s a little off-topic...

<<i&#39;ve been keeping up with this whole presidential candidacy ish.>>

Who do you want to see us elect? I myself have been rooting for Dr. Dean.

[Sabocat]

To simplify, just consider a caucus just another primary. There are "primaries" in all 50 states to award delegates for the candidate. In this case, the democrat with the most delegates at the end will end up with the party nomination at the convention. This will determine who will run against Bush. The convention also is used to select a candidate in the event of a close finish between two candidates.

The republicans will automatically pick Bush at their convention. Because he is the encumbent, he will be unapposed and will (probably) garner unanimous nomination for the Republican party at the RNC.

The Democratic National Convention just happens to be in Boston this year. It changes locations each time.

I also will be at the DNC protest this year, as I live close by. The Boston Police have already called the impending protesters "urban terrorists" and I suspect we will be treated as such. I think you&#39;ll see that it will be handled very similarly to the FTAA in Miami.

[allixpeeke]

<<Because he is the encumbent, he will be unapposed...>>

Well, from what I heard, there are a small handfull of Republicans running. But since they don&#39;t have a shot in hell of getting their party&#39;s nomination, they haven&#39;t gotten any press.

Bush will definitely get the Republican nomination.

Don&#39;t national conventions also refresh/amend the parties&#39; platforms?


<<I think you&#39;ll see that it will be handled very similarly to the FTAA in Miami.>>

Shit.

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

i dont particularly like associating myself with any of the candidates, because i&#39;m sure that they&#39;ll do crap behind closed doors that we&#39;re not meant to see or hear about. *cough* Clinton + Kosovo *cough*.

Umm, but if i were to choose one of those guys, I&#39;d have to go with Kerry. I think his foreign policy, as well as his health benefits for the citizens of America are top-notch, in fact better than Bush&#39;s.

After Bush said today that it was better for the economy to export jobs internationally, I guess anything is better than his policies. ha&#33;

Note to Bush - choose a better speech-writer next time. hahaha.

[Sabocat]

Kerry will do nothing for health care. Keep in mind that this is a guy that has received over &#036;500,000 dollars from the medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare lobbies. He&#39;s in their pocket.

[live4thamoment]

In trying to keep the explanation of my country&#39;s horrible excuse for a voting system short I will lay it out like this. They have these debates in several different states, so the people can decide whom they want to vote for then they vote, which ever incumbent "wins" (which really means receives enough corporate backing) he then eliminates his opponent. They do this until they have 1 representative of which ever party is running against the President. Make any sense?

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

Kerry&#39;s definitely the most conservative democrat...

honestly its Kucinich and Sharpton who have the best ideas, but will never be voted into power. I think Kerry&#39;s America&#39;s best bet against America, because he does have the support. Had Kucinich or Sharpton have as much support as Kerry, they&#39;d be elected into power and there would be a different america come 2005.

You&#39;ve gotta remember, every president has done shit that has screwed with others and countries. I feel replacing a tyrrant with a different one is the point to the election. Who will be bought away the quickest...moreso, who will be sold.

[sonOfLiberty]

if you need a answer to that caucus it basically has no purpose but to see which canidate would be elected in each state and it later will decide who drops out from the race