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Dodd Wants Other Campaigns To Prohibit Staffers From Caucus Participation
Chris Dodd is trying to get the other campaigns to pledge that their Iowa staffers and volunteers — many of whom live temporarily in the state and become eligible to vote — will not participate in the caucuses. No other campaign has yet signed the pledge.
"I've been here long enough to register to vote and be involved, but I shouldn't be," said Taylor West, a Dodd staffer from Virginia. "That violates the spirit of what the caucuses are about."
Carrie Giddins, the communications director for the state Democratic Party, said the party's rules would seem to eliminate anyone who comes to Iowa in the final days of the caucus specifically to participate.
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This seems to be the reason for keeping New Hampshire and Iowa the first states to pick candidates. They have small populations, no major cities and are more easily manipulated than others. They are whiter, and political power has been entrenched there. This power is conservative by definition. I would love to see Michigan or California vote first. Maybe it should be rotated, or a lottery system. Of course an honest lottery from party leaders would be tough to guarantee.
November 9, 2007 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Voter registration stats:
Iowa 34% Rep, 27% Dem
N.H. 29% Rep, 20% Dem
Michigan 31% Rep, 29% Dem (where did the idea that this is a purely "blue state" come about? the GOP controls the state house, 47% of the state senate & has 9 out of 15 reps to Congress)
Calif. 33% Rep, 38% Dem
Now here's a question: What does conservative "power" have to do with the Democratic primaries and caucuses? Is there a conservative-Democrat candidate running?
Chris Dodd is an idiot. Only someone desperate for attention would suggest that an eligible voter NOT vote. If this situation "violates the spirit", change the rules; don't tell people not to vote.
November 9, 2007 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink