Alternate Primary Proposals

With all of the talk of reforming our political process, there are actually a couple of plans out there which have been proposed.  I personally think that with all of the faults of the nominating process, things are actually pretty good and with some minor tweaking could be vastly improved.  Still, these are plans worth learning about.

The first plan, which I do quite like, is the National Association of Secretaries of State rotating regional primary plan.  I don't agree with all elements of the proposal - such as preserving the sole early status of Iowa and New Hampshire - but I do like that it encourages the states to vote in regional blocks, rotating every four years which block goes first.  This is much easier said than done, and the current system that puts one state from each region into the early states region (Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina) is a step in the right direction.  But still, the report is worth a read.

I will admit that I am not a fan of the American Plan for Presidential Primaries, but I still think it's worth reading.  Not completely realistic in that it does not factor in a lot of the practical realities that go along with a presidential campaign and voter participation.  HOWEVER, this year has proven that sometimes those things don't matter.  So maybe this guy is on to something.

Comments

[DAY]

Any thoughts on the alternative primary process (similiar to NASS's) where the 12 smallest states (plus DC) hold their primaries-caucuses in March, then the next smallest 13 in April, the next smallest 13 in May, and the final 12 in June?

It would take some "luck" out of the NASS proposal, where one region could easily be first (or last) for two or three consecutive cycles.

[Mr Super]

I haven't heard of that proposal you mention, but I'd be interesting in seeing it if you have a link. All said, it's difficult to come up with a perfect system because the states have to decide when they can independently hold their own elections. No one can mandate that. But we can encourage them to hold contests within a particular window.

[DAY]

Here is a page describing the "Delaware Plan" and "Small States First -- Large States Last":

http://www.fairvote.org/?page=2064

Also, the "Reform proposals" section of the following page touches on these:

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

Thanks for a great blog!

[RS]

Hey Mr Super:
Just saw your write-up about the preponed California primary on California Progress Report, where you say "at this point... only one [candidate] would be able to finance a campaign in the state." I guess Senator Obama's fund-raising was quite a shock!

Are Californians now wishing their primary was much later than Feb 5? :-)
RS

[Truth]

RS,
Doubtful. I know quite a few people that were not give a chance to vote for a candidate via mail or voted for Ron Paul that now would have voted for Hillary Clinton if given the chance.

As it stands now, in CA, Clinton beats McCain by a larger margin than Obama beats McCain.

Side note, I just watched CNN show Obama's path to the Presidency by winning West Virginia. Good stuff they are smoking.

[RS]

@Truth:
Why does *everything* come down to "Clinton is better than Obama and should be annointed the nominee"?