Iowa and New Hampshire

[GTS]

its funny how those lil states matter so much to politicians. The whole elections process is funny style. Caucasaese or whatever the fuck they are. New Hampshire and Iowa citizens do not represent what the nation as a whole thinks.

 

[nhojsmith]

if by "funny" you mean "an affront to democracy and proof that we dont live in such" then yes i agree, funny indeed.

 

[GTS]

if by "funny" you mean "an affront to democracy and proof that we dont live in such" then yes i agree, funny indeed.

what is the reason those 2 states hold so much political power?

 

[ReKz]

what is the reason those 2 states hold so much political power?

....

Since 1972, the Iowa caucus has been the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States. Although only about one percent of the nation's delegates are chosen by the Iowa state convention, the initial caucus has served as an early indication of which candidates for President might win the nomination of their political party at that party's national convention.

Before the less-binding Iowa caucus first received national attention in the 1970s, the New Hampshire primary was the first binding indication of which presidential candidate would receive the party nomination. In defense of their primary, voters of New Hampshire have tended to downplay the importance of the Iowa caucus. "The people of Iowa pick corn, the people of New Hampshire pick presidents," said then-Governor John H. Sununu in 1988.

Since then, the primary has been considered an early measurement of the national attitude toward the candidates for nomination. Unlike a caucus, the primary measures the number of votes each candidate received directly, rather than through precinct delegates. The fact that the primary is based on the popular vote means that it gives less well known candidates a chance to pull ahead. Unlike most other states, New Hampshire permits independents, not just registered party members, to vote in a party's primary.

 

[GTS]

what a fuckin joke

and what good is a democracy if your the 49% being governed by the 51%

 

[basment-music]

isn't that the point of democracy? I'm not huge into politics but voting is the reason its a democracy, win or lose.

 

[GTS]

isn't that the point of democracy? I'm not huge into politics but voting is the reason its a democracy, win or lose.

lol
voting has got to be one of the most corrupt pastimes we have in the country. To think who gets elected is what the people want is "funny".

 

[basment-music]

I understand that. are you talking democartic vs. republican in general with your 49 governed by 51 or what

 

[Lordbyron]

what is the reason those 2 states hold so much political power?

They don't hold 'political power' per se... Just a litmus test of sorts...

 

[GTS]

They don't hold 'political power' per se... Just a litmus test of sorts...

any idea why those 2 states were chosen as valid "litmus test of sorts"?

 

[ColdBlooded]

Not all states have primaries. Back in the day it was a bit controversial on how states without primaries would choose delegates to send to a nominating convention without a primary. In part to make the caucus process somewhat significant, in part to gain some political power for Iowa, and in part to gain a political advantage for then democratic contender McGovern; Iowa pushed up its caucus to January.

It gained importance because the first two years it was an early contest ’72 and ’76 it appeared to have an influence on the democratic nomination process with McGovern and Carter performing surprisingly well and then going on to get the party nomination. It is important as a way for a candidate to focus on one state but get a huge pay off if they do well. It is also important because it is first.

By tradition New Hampshire has had the first primary since 1920. At some point they put it into law in their state that they would move their primary up so that it is always first in the nation. Again it is important as a way for a candidate to focus on one state but get a huge pay off if they do well and again because it is first.


People like traditions.