Primaries are a primary concern
Guest Column
by Dennis Dugan and Jen Cramlet
Oregon is one of a handful of states that have yet to count their ballots for the Democratic primary elections -- yet the nominee was chosen long ago. And, judging from the plethora of Bush vs. Kerry campaign ads flooding our TV channels, the battle has already moved on to November's general election.
We may live in a general election "battleground state," but with our measly contribution of just 58 delegates to the party's national convention, we hold virtually no sway. The only one paying any attention to Oregon's upcoming election is Dennis Kucinich -- the locked-in Democratic nominee, John Kerry, has yet to visit the state.
Sure, we get to vote, but it is more of an act of good faith than a show of each individual's political power and influence.
The Democratic primary/caucus system works like this: each state (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Democrats abroad) receives delegates to represent their interests at the convention (most of the 4,319 delegates are chosen via the primary/caucus system directly, while a percentage of these delegates are chosen from previously elected Democrats currently holding office).
Each legislative body conducts..(Full Story)
A personal quest to promote the use of wind energy and hydrogen technology in the Great Lakes area of the United States. The Great Lakes area is in a unique position to become an energy exporting region through these and other renewable energy technologies. *Update 2014: Just do it everywhere - Dan*
No comments:
Post a Comment