The Democrats are in Texas!!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Gwen

I have to admit that I'm one of those people that hasn't gotten really into politics yet. I voted last time, but I really need to learn more about everything. I still don't fully understand what makes someone a republican or a democrat. And I don't know fully where I fall when it comes to those lines. It really is starting to interest me this year though. I've been taking the candidate tests to find out whose views are close in line with mine. And I have been following all the articles about the election coming up. It's going to be an interesting year, that's for sure!

This is off topic, but I just wanted to say that I love your signature line! Mulan is one of my favorite movies and that was a good scene.

[Janet]

Quote from Judy...

I know a lot of you do not like him, but I have to admit that Bill is one sexy man! A friend of mine saw him speak and said that he has such charisma it's weird. I'm not saying that I approve of what he did with the Monica!

I agree with you on this one Judy, he is a very handsome man...I don't approve of what he did either, but I still don't think he deserves to be thrown to the wolves, like some think.

Thanks Angie! I've always liked that line. I've always found that culture to be so poetic too, so I would be curious to know if it was something Disney made up for the movie, or if it could be a real quote from that someone of that area.

I was pretty young when Bill was in office. I always found it funny that what he was remembered for was his indiscretions. I guess it was the fact that he lied, I dunno, lol. Your private life becomes so much more public when you're in the public eye.

I think this is going to be the most exciting election I can remember (at least, it has been so far!) We'll either have the first black, the first woman, or the oldest president!

I agree that the primaries should be held, if not at the same time, then at least maybe all in the same month. In Pa, we don't get to vote until April! Although there has been talk that Pa might be the deciding state for the democrats.

In Pa, you are registered Democrat or Republican. In the primary, you can vote ONLY for your party. So for example, if you're a registered democrat and you like McCain-you can't vote for him. But in the election, obviously, you can vote for anyone.

I never actually saw President Clinton speak, but I'm told he has the same charisma as JFK.

[Janet]

I need some help here.....what in the heck are 'super delegates' and when did they come into being? Never heard of them before this election.

There are so many things that need to be changed in our election process and I'm afraid that in the end, not making these changes will be our downfall.

[Marilyn]

Originally Posted by Janet

I need some help here.....what in the heck are 'super delegates' and when did they come into being? Never heard of them before this election.

There are so many things that need to be changed in our election process and I'm afraid that in the end, not making these changes will be our downfall.

I totally agree. The Super Delegates seem to function like the Electoral College. And here in Texas, Hillary has kicked up a controversy. After the primary on Tuesday, the Democratic Party in Texas holds precinct caucases. The caucases have input into the election results over and above the votes of the citizens. They call in their caucus results to a central location Tuesday evening. If Hillary is not pleased with the results, she may consider a lawsuit.

So in the primaries, we vote, then a caucus can change our vote. At the convention, the Super Delegates vote, and they can change the popular vote. At the general election, the Electoral College can go against the popular vote. Something is wrong with this system!!!!!

And Catlover, I think your system in PA would be a good idea. The way we do it here in Texas is manipulative. Hubby suggested that if you vote in a party's primary, you should have to vote for their candidate in November. That would stop the crossovers.

[yorkiemalt]

Originally Posted by catlover

I think this is going to be the most exciting election I can remember (at least, it has been so far!) We'll either have the first black, the first woman, or the oldest president!

I agree that the primaries should be held, if not at the same time, then at least maybe all in the same month. In Pa, we don't get to vote until April! Although there has been talk that Pa might be the deciding state for the democrats.

In Pa, you are registered Democrat or Republican. In the primary, you can vote ONLY for your party. So for example, if you're a registered democrat and you like McCain-you can't vote for him. But in the election, obviously, you can vote for anyone.

I never actually saw President Clinton speak, but I'm told he has the same charisma as JFK.

Same in NJ...you must be registered either Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary but we're not seperated to vote. Wonder if I had pushed a Clinton/Obama button what would have happened? Does the vote not count? Can't imagine how they'd enforce that Catlover unless you actually have different voting booths.

President Clinton is an excellent speaker. I remember when he was President listening to him and being mesmerized by his speeches.

No, we don't have separate voting booths. Each time we vote, we have to sign a registration (they have an alphabetical list of every person registered to vote in the district) Then, in the primaries-they must have some kind of button or something that can control the individual voting booth. Because when I go in, it won't LET me vote for any other party.

I'm not sure how it works for independents, though. I don't know if they can vote for ANYONE or for NO ONE!!! JessLeo might know-she's from Pa, and she is REALLY into politics!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Janet

I need some help here.....what in the heck are 'super delegates' and when did they come into being? Never heard of them before this election.

There are so many things that need to be changed in our election process and I'm afraid that in the end, not making these changes will be our downfall.

Voters don’t choose the 842 unpledged “super-delegates” who comprise nearly 40 percent of the number of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

The category includes Democratic governors and members of Congress, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former vice president Al Gore, retired congressional leaders such as Dick Gephardt, and all Democratic National Committee members, some of whom are appointed by party chairman Howard Dean.


These super-delegates don’t have superhuman powers, but unlike rank-and-file Democrats, they do automatically get to cast a vote at the convention to decide who the party’s nominee will be.

Although dubbed “unpledged” in Democratic Party lingo, the super-delegates are free to come out before their state’s primary and pledge to support one of the presidential contenders.


On Tuesday Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski announced she was supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton and three weeks ago, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine declared that he's also backing her. These aren't mere endorsements; these are actual votes putting Clinton two steps closer to the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination.


Snippets from THIS article.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

Voters don’t choose the 842 unpledged “super-delegates” who comprise nearly 40 percent of the number of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

The category includes Democratic governors and members of Congress, former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former vice president Al Gore, retired congressional leaders such as Dick Gephardt, and all Democratic National Committee members, some of whom are appointed by party chairman Howard Dean.


These super-delegates don’t have superhuman powers, but unlike rank-and-file Democrats, they do automatically get to cast a vote at the convention to decide who the party’s nominee will be.

Although dubbed “unpledged” in Democratic Party lingo, the super-delegates are free to come out before their state’s primary and pledge to support one of the presidential contenders.


On Tuesday Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski announced she was supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton and three weeks ago, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine declared that he's also backing her. These aren't mere endorsements; these are actual votes putting Clinton two steps closer to the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination.


Snippets from THIS article.

Thanks Angie...I still don't remember ever hearing this term 'super-delegates' before. I just feel like the wool is being pulled over my eyes and I don't care for it at all. Did the super-delegates exist in the last election? I've just never heard this term and so often...

[Marilyn]

I was talking to someone today after church who is pretty knowledgable on current events and he said that we have caucases, super delegates and electorial college because we are not a true democracy. We are actually a representative form of government. In a democracy, popular vote rules.

In our state, at least in the past, may be different now that we have touch screen voting machines, when we had the mechanical kind, we walked in the door with our undeclaired registration card. Republicans were on one side of the room and democrats on the other. You went to the table of your choice to check in. They checked the roll to find your name and you signed on the line, then they stamped your voter's registration card with the appropriate rubber stamp, showing that you voted in either the republican or democratic primary. Then you stepped to one of the machines marked democrat or republican depending on which side of the room you are on. That's how republicans can cross over. They just step to the democratic table and go from there.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Janet

Thanks Angie...I still don't remember ever hearing this term 'super-delegates' before. I just feel like the wool is being pulled over my eyes and I don't care for it at all. Did the super-delegates exist in the last election? I've just never heard this term and so often...

This is the first year that super delegates have existed...

Originally Posted by catlover

No, we don't have separate voting booths. Each time we vote, we have to sign a registration (they have an alphabetical list of every person registered to vote in the district) Then, in the primaries-they must have some kind of button or something that can control the individual voting booth. Because when I go in, it won't LET me vote for any other party.

I'm not sure how it works for independents, though. I don't know if they can vote for ANYONE or for NO ONE!!! JessLeo might know-she's from Pa, and she is REALLY into politics!!!

Sorry, missed this one somehow. I'm not 100% sure how it works, since I've only voted in one primary so far. I wasn't old enough before. But, my mom is a registered independent, and she can't vote at all in the primaries. I think it's called a "Closed primary," so you have to be one or the other to vote. Otherwise don't bother showing up.

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

This is the first year that super delegates have existed...

Is that in fact correct?

may I point you guys all to the new thread I started in the book section! LOL! That book is suppose to show how we are losing our civil liberties!

I *think* they've been around since '68, but this is the first year that they will really need to play a part in the election process. Howard Dean had more superdelegates in '04, but John Kerry ended up winning b/c he had a lot more primary wins.