I listened to former Congressman/Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on the Sean Hannity radio program today where Sean asked Newt if was throwing his hat into the presidential arena. Newt was evasive with his non response other than to say he will let us know something later in the fall. The downside of a non commitment is that you might lose potential supporters, endorsements and campaign contributors by this delay.
Talk about voter apathy. Those of living in Orange County are still awaiting the outcome of the Special Election in the First Supervisorial District that was held on Feb 6th and already the media caravan is following multiple candidates for the 2008 campaign, from both major parties, around the country.
A Google search led to the following web sites. Hillary 4 President exploratory committee, Obama ’08, McCain 4 President and Rudy Giuiliani 4 President.
I can understand the need to campaign early when you are elected to the House of Representatives and serve only two year terms. However, for Senators or Governors to be spending so much time on the campaign trail, 18 months before the Nov 2008 election, is a disservice to the citizens who put them into office and the rest of us as their focus should be to set and debate foreign and domestic policy.
And to talk about voter apathy. When are we going to get a break?
I want to be first. No, I have always been first. So New Hampshire may move their Primary Election up to Jan 8th, 2008. Super Tuesday, which had been a major kick off date for multiple states in March, is now being moved up to Feb 5th where perhaps 20 states will pick their man (or woman).
Why wait. Let’s have the CA Primary this Thanksgiving where we can give thanks to all of the presidential wanna bee’s. As some may be perceived to be turkey’s that would be an appropriate day to watch and listen to them rather than the traditional NFL games.
In addition to their campaign staff and consultants getting started earlier, an early campaign will bring more revenue to the print and broadcast media. Those fortunate enough to have TiVo will be able to zip past the non-stop infomercials that will hog the airwaves at a time when we thought that odd number years were designed to give us a break from continuous political spin.
Although I may write about it, we all need a short break from the political debate.
And for you the readers.
Do you support the earlier primaries?
If so, why?
If not, chime in with your thoughts.
Thank you!
The Ghost of Christmas past
tells us that a Primary before Christmas is a diabolical attempt to take
the Christ out of Christmas.
We say…..January 1st…
is the best day for a Primary. Everyone has a bad
headache from the night before. Everyone is going
to be grumpy and ask a lot
of embarrassing questions
about the candidates…the
main reason being….that
these yahoos were busy
campaigning in the middle
of the Christmas season…
Can you see it now…certain
candidates sitting on Santa’s lap asking for
help right after Christmas?
Oh well, it will never happen……unless Arnold
says so!
How about the 1st Tuesday in Jan. for the Presidential Primary.
and follow that with the 2nd tuesday for the Senate…
3rd Tuesday for the US congress..
4th Tuesday for Governor’s
Etc Etc Etc
These unqualified buffoons are so important, how can they share their day with any other office?
All States need to have their Primarys on the same Day, as happens for electing or appointing our President. This would eliminate the need to be first
The following response was received via email:
Larry, as you are aware, the hue and cry for earlier primary has part of its motivation in the politicians’ ground swell for extending their terms in office. The earlier primary provides a venue for such a legislative proposal and “voila” the “regular” primary would then permit the imcumbents who would be otherwise termed out to have another locked in go at it…ain’t life grand??? and we, of course will get stuck for the bill for all these shenannigans…in a word, I’m agin the earlier primary…regards, XXX
RRBrandt.
Setting primary dates aside there is another problem that I think impacts voter apathy on the west coast. As the nationwide polls all close at the same time, even while the broadcast media does not report their projections until after the polls close, there have been presidential races decided even while we are still driving to the polls.
I know that this has added to the voter apathy in CA.
Question . Should poll closing times be consistent with the three major time zones? And for those voting from Alaska and Hawaii, you are sadly behind the pack.