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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    What is your preference for Michigan's 2012 presidential nomination process?

    A special primary election   1 vote - 3 %
    A centralized nominating convention   4 votes - 13 %
    Simultaneous county conventions   3 votes - 10 %
    A precinct-by-precinct caucus   14 votes - 46 %
    A county-by-county "firehouse" caucus   8 votes - 26 %
     
    30 Total Votes
    Display: Sort:
    Making The Case For Caucus | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden)
    I support caucus (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by JGillman on Wed Aug 10, 2011 at 11:21:45 PM EST
    AND the thought it could be used in a fundraising way is a plus.

    In terms of keeping Dems out of the R selection, its the best way.

    OK, I must be missing something here (none / 0) (#2)
    by Pogo on Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 05:50:32 AM EST
     .... because this is a really well written post, full of information on the subject (more than I've seen in any one place before), with lots of links to more resources. Obviously a lot of time went into it, and I'm in full agreement with the ending opinion. The surprise comes here:

    ++++
    "I also think that the pre-registration method that Adam deAngeli suggests in his proof of concept (see page 5 of that document) for the other caucus method would work well as a deterrent against all but the truly hard-core crossover infiltrators, and could be easily incorporated into this process.  The essence of this process is that prospective primary voters will register online - a secure page at the MIGOP website could be set up for this purpose - and the voter's registration information will be checked against the voter file."
    ++++

    What? How is this any different than a (wide open) "closed primary"? The Policy Committee's (recommended) primary is organized by the government, and anyone who wants to, can register at a SOS office and vote in it. This one is organized by the Republican party, and anyone who wants can register for it on their computer at home, and vote in it.

    Going over the same ground again, (because it's fundamental), here is the suggested registration in the Caucus for Victory Manual:

    ++++
    December 1 is also the deadline for voters to register for the caucus. They have 3 ways to
    register:

    1. On-line at migop.org
    2. A friend registers them on-line at migop.org
    3. A candidates' campaign helps them register them on-line at migop.org. Presumably any campaign will assist anyone who needs the help.

    MIGop.org checks potential registrants against the voter file to make sure they're registered
    in their precinct.
    ++++

    In #1, anyone with a computer can register.
    In #2, anyone without a computer can register, with a little help from their friends. I can see 'Community Organizers' jumping in here with a will.
    In #3, anyone else not yet registered, .... etc.

    How hard-core do you have to be to type your name on a website? I'm not getting it. If someone is sufficiently motivated to go to the opposite party's polling place and cast a vote (Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos", or whatever), what is the deterrent here?

    I always understood that a caucus was an event in which political party supporters gather, debate, and then vote for a candidate. If the process consists of just arriving, voting at a machine, and leaving, how is that different from a "closed" primary? There must be something I've overlooked. Is there a way for a party with no membership list to have real caucuses?

    Another question (none / 0) (#3)
    by Pogo on Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 05:58:21 AM EST
    At the Oakland County forum, Adam deAngeli suggested having each precinct delegate provide 10 (or some other number) names of people personally known to be legitimate Republicans. That was to provide a larger pool of voters at a county convention, more inclusion, participation, etc..
    Is this practical?

    • I think . . . by Kevin Rex Heine, 08/11/2011 12:39:39 PM EST (none / 0)
    Caucus (none / 0) (#4)
    by Republican Michigander on Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 11:30:53 AM EST
    I support the caucus, preferably the firehouse caucus. That said, I'm pretty sure it's dead on committee. The party wants a list.

    My big issue with the primary is that this is an open primary, not a true closed primary. It's like the 08 presidential primary except there's no contest on the other side.

    I'd be less opposed to this if there is special early registration required for this, 30 days before February. This will at least require those who plan on voting in this special primary to make the extra effort. It's not perfect, but it would cut down on the lazy vote.

    Democrat Crossovers (none / 0) (#8)
    by Conservative First on Fri Aug 12, 2011 at 10:29:51 AM EST
    In this CNN exit poll of the 2008 Michigan Republican primary, 7% of voters admit to being democrats.  An additional  25% admit to being independents.  (McCain won both groups.)

    http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/index.html#MIREP

    Making The Case For Caucus | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden)
    Display: Sort:

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