[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

The U.S. Supreme Court opened a door to change yesterday – or opened a can of worms. In a decision upholding the State of Washington’s modified “blanket” primary, it dramatically reduced the ability of the major parties to control their own nomination process.

The Washington system advances the two top vote-getters from the primary election to a run-off in the general. While participation in the primary is “closed” – only democratic registrants may vote in the ‘democratic’ side of the primary – in the runoff all voters can participate (as today) with the difference being the top two vote-getters could easily be from the same party in areas dominated by that party.

If the Democrats could keep any Democratic candidate from filing in the primary, then Democratic voters could be the margin of victory between two Republicans in November. Presumably this would force GOP candidates toward the “center” in an effort to appeal to the more liberal Democratic voters.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Tony Fischer [courtesy of Blog for America]

Two Questions:

1. What are your thoughts and opinion about the Democratic campaign so far? Has the Clinton campaign been ethical in its' tactics and does anyone think she can win the nomination without manipulating the delegates to overturn the majority of the democratic voters? If she does this, can she win the election after adding an entirely new group of voters - progressives and Obama supporters - who will definitely view her negatively (I am being diplomatic here, btw).

2. Does ANYONE use this blog for Passaic County? I see the last dated message was way back in '07. Perhaps I am wrong. I am curious who is still viewing this blog, so please e-mail with an acknowledgement at carpediem2004@earthlink.net - to let me know that you read this. I suspect I will get few responses.

Carpe Diem!

- Tony Fischer

by Phil Specht [courtesy of Blog for America]

Why is the press too lazy to correctly report that all state contests are being held within the Delegate Selection Rules? Each state has "unpledged" delegates as part of that plan. (the so called Super Delegates) awarded across the nation by the same rules; and as well each state is conducting contests in all kinds of different but fair ways of allocating "pledged" delegates so that they reflect proportional support of those citizens who align themselves with the Democratic Party for the various candidates for President on the Democratic Party ticket. These slots are pro-rated by National Rules to represent the Democratic voters of past elections. After (rarely before) the allocation process, there is a separate election of the actual individuals who will attend the National (nominating) Convention in Denver in late summer. Bottom line, the candidate that picks up the most pledged delegates from a state won that state. Total popular vote numbers are meaningless since each state varies in how it does the allocation, by caucus or primary, or in the case of Texas both. In all cases they are proportional and fair.

by DFA Staff [courtesy of Blog for America]

Last night, Wisconsin and Hawaii brought the total of Democratic presidential nominating contests to 40. And, there are still 16 more to go.

The final event will be June 7th. Puerto Rico will hold its caucus where 63 delegates will be at stake. Next Tuesday, Democratic voters in Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont will go to the polls with 444 delegates on the line.

Upcoming Primary Election Schedule --

Tuesday, March 4:
Ohio Primary 161 delegates
Rhode Island Primary 32 delegates
Texas Primary 228 delegates
Vermont Primary 23 delegates

Saturday, March 8:
Wyoming Caucus 18 delegates

Tuesday, March 11:
Mississippi Primary 40 delegates

Tuesday, April 22:
Pennsylvania Primary 188 delegates

Saturday, May 3:
Guam Other 9 delegates

Tuesday, May 6:
Indiana Primary 84 delegates
North Carolina Primary 134 delegates

Tuesday, May 13:
West Virginia Primary 39 delegates

by David Reiter [courtesy of Blog for America]

This year I am captivated by the Presidential Primaries more than I have ever been. It is evident that the American people are waking up from a seven year slumber from democracy. Democratic voters are outnumbering Republicans by nearly 2 to 1 in almost every state, and if the pattern continues, McCain is in for a slaughter this November in 'red' and 'blue' states, alike.

Democratic voters are clearly mobilized to effect change this year, and set our nation back on the Democratic path. If the difference in turnout continues, Democrats will finally have clear majorities in both houses of Congress, and have the opportunity to show the American people and the world why our nation is that 'shining city upon the hill.' No matter which Democratic candidate is nominated, it appears clear that that person will be elected.

Barack Obama took the delegate lead this week, and almost immediately McCain and Clinton turned their ire upon him. In true political fashion, they both chose the same tactic: making false statements, repeating them, and hoping that people are too ignorant to know the difference. CNN chose to highlight these tactics on today's on-line front page.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

The latest PPIC survey shows the remarkable gulf that occurs between Republican and Democratic voters in California. It extends over an ideological framework (liberal – conservative), on specific issues (immigration, gay marriage), indeed, even to geography. Democrats control the BayArea, North Coast and Los Angeles. Republicans dominate the remainder of the state except for Santa Barbara and Imperial County.

The survey writers want to focus on the 20% of the vote not affiliated with the Democrats or Republicans. Growing in numbers, should we not change the system to involve them to a greater extent? So the PPIC folk suggest. Moving from single member districts to proportional representation, for example.

When did we begin this vilification of American Political Parties?