I do not want to bring politics into our discussion of government, and I do not want to hear whether you are for McCain, Huckabee, Cliton, Obama, or Kucinich. That's not what this course is about. But the course is about governmental process, and in that spirit, I am curious: did any of you attend the caucuses this week, and if so, what was your experience? Hawaii's caucuses are run by the party - Democrat of Republican - while the similar primary elections done in other states are run through the government.
Would that work here in Hawaii? Should that work here in Hawaii? Was part of the excitement that cheerful chaos? Was it only happening because this was a tight race, and our votes mattered? Will such a turnout ever happen again?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
No. But in the Letters to the Editor, 2/26/08 there was a comment made by Keith Haugen referring to the caucus. His statements concerning: no validation of identity, scraps of paper used, people voting for others including volunteers wearing T-shirts in support of candidates. He asked-where were the rules/guidelines for the Democratic caucus? Makes one wonder what went on at this great turn out? Was it truly a well managed caucus or what appears to be the state of the Democratic Party of Hawaii?
Jerry Burris of the Advertier came up with a new terms for the chaotic caucuses: "Fraucuses"
http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com/akamaipolitics.php/2008/02/21/demo_caucuses_so_different_they_need_a_n
He also noted that they were "so much fun that apparently quite a few Republicans and independents took part as well."
I was astonished at the short-sightedness of the process, particularly with the media predicting a groundswell of interest.
Post a Comment