I'm hoping someone (or several of you) can explain how the caucus works. I am SO confused. Every time we enter a presidential election period, I do my best to understand the caucus, but I fail each time.

On another note, I'm wondering if any of you see a problem with states holding their caucuses/primaries at different times... problems in the way of one outcome influencing future states' voting?

Thanks in advance.

Each state determines its own way that parties select their candidates, and all political parties are bound by those rules. In some, it's by caucus. In others (as in Texas), there is a primary. If there are other ways, I am not aware of them. A primary seems much like a general election, but ONLY if you vote in a party's primary, you're then eligible to attend that party's precinct meeting that evening, (which is much like a caucus). Though the emphasis is on the primary, it's attendance at the meeting/caucus that matters. In the caucus/meeting, party members who are present vote on (1) party platform issues and (2) delegates to the next level (precinct to state to national). And those delegates at the next level vote on (1) party platform issues and (2) candidates; they can vote the way their precinct/state voted OR NOT. So if you're in a primary state, you need to attend your precinct meeting, or your primary vote pretty much means nothing. And if you decide to be a complete independent, you have no say on who will be in the general election.

I think all primaries and caucuses should be on the same day; it would end at least some of the bullshit,

Wow, Shelley, I figured you'd be one of the first to answer. Thanks!

I'm not sure I understand the part about voting in the primary AND attending the meeting that night. I've always voted in the May primaries in PA, but never knew anything about precinct meetings.

How do they tally the meetings/caucuses that take place in Iowa? What I saw today on the news was paper ballots not even in neat piles, just all over the table after being opened. Looks rather unscientific to me.

Always thought that each vote counted for what it was, by itself, especially in the primaries.

Caucus!?! They don't even know us!

This is interesting to read. I don't know a thing about that Caucus stuff...

Thanks, Terrie. Jay says I'm never at a loss for an opinion.

It may be that in some states the primary vote is what counts. In Texas and some other states it's not, and "they" don't particularly want you to know that, so the precinct meetings aren't exactly emphasized, but that's where, and only where, your vote really counts. Also note, the meetings are held after the polls close, which makes it much less convenient for many working people and people with family responsibilities.

Edited to change "pools" to "polls." It is, after all, January; not much swimming going on except maybe in Oz.

Thanks for the explanation, Shelley... and thanks for asking in the first place, Terrie!

I'm in Colorado, which is a caucus state (and yes, I made sure that I was registered Dem in time to qualify for the caucus). New York is a primary state, and I wasn't aware of the precinct meetings either. I had never bothered to figure out how caucuses work... Guess I'll find out firsthand this year. (First step - find out where and when I have to show up on Feb 5.)

Wyld, I expected you to be one of the first to reply also. I guess I always relied and you and Shelley to explain things to all of us.

Please let me know about your caucus... I'm very interested in understanding this strange phenomenon. I can't understand how they "count votes" or how your vote counts. But it does seems like a lot of fun.

I'm also a little surprised at yesterday's outcome... well, at least on the R side of things.

I also think it would be much easier if all primaries/caucuses? were held on the same day. In NJ the primaries were held in May (they've been moved up) and there were times that my choice for candidate had dropped out by then. We were talking about this today at work and if I understand this correctly, in some cases the winner gets all the votes like the electoral votes. In come cases the winner gets a percentage. If a candidate doesn't get enough votes he can give his to another candidate or get the other candidates votes. At that point I got confused and sort of tuned out.

Well, thanks, but that goes to Pat. She is the BlunderAuthority on politics, but while more important parts of life occupy her time, we'll have to do; sorry for that, but we do our best, along with many others here. That's what is so good about Blunderland for me; we're all in this together.

Terrie, what is New Mexico? A primary or caucus state?

Luckily for me, since I don't understand the caucus, NM is a primary state. And home to Bill Richardson, who is still running for president as of this afternoon's news reports.

Here's Wikipedia's take on the various systems. It's kind of like a skilllet of snakes, so you know it's real 'MeriKan politics. Good luck:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election

Things are so much less complicated here. The party chooses the leader then we vote for local member of that party in our electorate for the house of Reps. Which ever party wins the most electoral seats on the day wins the election and the leader they picked becomes the Prime Minister.

Then for the Senate you can put a tick next to your fave party in a box above the line and so you are letting the party pick the Senate for you. I went below the line and had to tick 64 boxes in order for the Senate. So we all vote on one day and that night we know the result!

One of my oldest dearest friends here called me after we heard about Iowa because she was confused tho she is very smart and keeps up with politics here and in the states. She also had a rant. She says to me that even tho I'm an AmerAussie she knows she can vent to me about things like how the reputation of the US is not good elsewhere in the world and do they realise this and are they going to wake up and come out of their apathy and use their votes this time to oust the Repuplicans. She even used the F word!!

She knows that all my buddies over there have known the truth for years and have tried hard to spread the word and try to wake people up!! But I told her I think lots od those who have let themselves be hoodwinked for the last eight year ARE finally seeing the writing on the wall and I'm pretty sure that there will be a change of government at the end of this year.
If people here can wake up and change the Govt with a landslide result as happened here in Nov, I have hope for my other country.

Oh no, now I'm gonna have some terrible candidate nightmares...