Comments on A Mess in Texas?

I just got home from my precinct convention, and it was run very fairly and transparently. IMHO, most of them will go like that regardless of how much complaining some people want to do. I mean it's not like we're Republicans, right?

I just listened. It's more like the turdiest conference call in history.

Can anyone explain the Texas caucus? Are you allowed to primary and caucus or is there some way for them to tell if you have voted and you can only caucus if you haven't already voted?

Caucuses are a complete mess and I would never choose this format. These things are a fickin' mess and someone who wanted to could totally manipulate the process. In my opinion they favor louder and more combatitive people.

@3, you can only participate in the caucus if you voted in the primary. I'm not sure how exactly they can tell that you've voted, probably from a sign-in sheet.

@5, that's retarded. So basically you're allowed to vote twice or not at all?

Dumb.

@6,

You can still vote in the primary and not participate in the caucus. It's a lot more fair than the other way around. Many people have time to vote in a primary but can't commit to several hours at a caucus.

God, this is turning into a giant mess (Thanks, Texas Democratic Party!). Just try and remember the main goal: Dem in the White House in '08. The worst thing we can do is tear ourselves apart over convoluted caucus/primary rules...

Note that both C and O have more votes in the primary than all of the Republicans put together.

You missed one of tomorrow's stories: how Republicans voted for Clinton en masse.

@7, sure more fair than the other way around but still dumb.

Two-thirds of the pledged delegates in Texas are decided by the primary that allows people to vote early for two weeks prior to election day. The "precinct conventions" require that you vote in the primary, and they require you to have proof that you voted (a stamped voter reg. card or receipt -- it's also kept in the voter log, so it is checked).

The precinct conventions provide delegates to the district/county conventions, which then have additional caucuses that send delegates to the state convention. The final count of delegates from the caucuses are determined at the State convention, so those results will not be available until June. So don't listen to "caucus" results in the news tomorrow, they're essentially meaningless.

I agree that it's a screwed up system, but it was actually intended to get Democrats involved in grass-roots efforts. At the precinct conventions people can introduce resolutions that are voted on at the State convention that end up becoming the party's platform. The "bonus vote" gives people incentive to attend.

All in all, the energy in the room tonight was great! I just hope these same people show up in November. Maybe Texas will turn a little purple for a change.