The difference between caucuses and primaries

[Wiggen]

The state of Washington held Democratic precinct caucuses in March. As with all caucuses, they were dominated by crusading zealots, with the result being that Bernie Sanders received 75% of the vote and therefore 75% of the delegates to the national convention.

Last Tuesday, the state held primaries for both the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats decided earlier this year that they were going to ignore the results of the primary and base their delegate selection solely on the caucuses. This is the result of the Democratic Primary:

May 24, 2016 Presidential Primary Results - President Democratic Party

The net result is that Hilary got 53% of the votes but will only get 25% of the delegates to the national convention. Yep, the system sure is rigged.

 

[Frank Apisa]

Thanks for that one, Wiggen.

The Sanders "it is rigged against us" people are gonna find some way to minimize it.

 

[reinoe]

Thanks for that one, Wiggen.

The Sanders "it is rigged against us" people are gonna find some way to minimize it.

The Washington primary has been a pointless beauty pageant that has never allocated delegates for years. Decades even...

In the time since that 1989 initiative, Democrats have never utilized the primary as a means of selecting, allocating or binding delegates.
Read more at Washington State?s Weird Primary/Caucus System Is Bad And Washington Should Feel Bad | Wonkette

 

[Greenbeard]

The net result is that Hilary got 53% of the votes but will only get 25% of the delegates to the national convention. Yep, the system sure is rigged.

Same story in Nebraska. Low turnout caucuses are the only reason Bernie stayed semi-relevant. He's benefited tremendously from the current system.

 

[Wiggen]

But haven't you heard? Everything is rigged against Bernie!

 

[Wiggen]

The Washington primary has been a pointless beauty pageant that has never allocated delegates for years. Decades even...

Actually that is not true. The Republicans have allocated their delegates based on the Primary for the last two Presidential elections. The Democrats, desirous of keeping control in the hands of a few well organized activists, have never used the primary. The so called 'beauty contest' wound up attracting about 800,000 Democrats and still counting, for a 'meaningless election'. The final total will probably approach 900k-i million. The Caucus system - well, nobody knows for sure since they were a disorganized disaster - got about 1/4 of that total.

But it's all rigged against poor Bernie.

 

[Wiggen]

Thanks for that one, Wiggen.

The Sanders "it is rigged against us" people are gonna find some way to minimize it.

Well, of course they will. The Democratic caucus system this year was overrun by people who many be many things, but Democrats they are not. Much like Bernie.

 

[Eviljesus]

That is something that bothers me with Sanders supporters. They scream foul with closed primaries, but say nothing about caucuses. Caucuses alienate a large majority of the electric. I agree the system is in a way rigged. They want Democrats to pick the Democratic nominee, not Independents or Republicans. Makes since.

 

[Greenbeard]

That is something that bothers me with Sanders supporters. They scream foul with closed primaries, but say nothing about caucuses.

Hillary has actually won more open contests than Bernie.

 

[Eviljesus]

Hillary has actually won more open contests than Bernie.

And Bernie has won more caucuses, which is why Sanders supporters say nothing about how unfair they are.

 

[Frank Apisa]

And Bernie has won more caucuses, which is why Sanders supporters say nothing about how unfair they are.

Bottom line: Hillary Clinton has beaten Bernie Sanders by total raw votes (3 million more raw votes) and beaten him by delegates won (by 270 delegates). She is clearly the winner.

What is the problem with that?

 

[Eviljesus]

Bottom line: Hillary Clinton has beaten Bernie Sanders by total raw votes (3 million more raw votes) and beaten him by delegates won (by 270 delegates). She is clearly the winner.

What is the problem with that?

Nothing. I absolutely agree. The question is how to get Sanders supporters to understand that.

 

[reinoe]

Same story in Nebraska. Low turnout caucuses are the only reason Bernie stayed semi-relevant. He's benefited tremendously from the current system.

The Nebraska primary is also a pointless beauty contest just like Washington.

 

[Wiggen]

Bottom line: Hillary Clinton has beaten Bernie Sanders by total raw votes (3 million more raw votes) and beaten him by delegates won (by 270 delegates). She is clearly the winner.

What is the problem with that?

The problem, Frank, is that the spoiled brats who think the world owes them something are seeing their candidate losing. And they don't like it.

 

[Wiggen]

The Nebraska primary is also a pointless beauty contest just like Washington.

As opposed to the caucuses, which are attended by about 1/5th as many people. It's pointless only because the Democratic political machine decided to make it so. They reap what they sew.

 

[Wiggen]

Nothing. I absolutely agree. The question is how to get Sanders supporters to understand that.

Lots of luck with that. They are crusaders with God on their side. Only they know the truth. Talking to them is like talking to a rock.