General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSirusly: What's the history of our nutcase primary system, who made IA/NH/SC meaningful?!1
4 regional primaries within 4 months. That is all.
RandySF
(59,414 posts)Jimmy Carter put Iowa on the map by upsetting stronger opponents. South Carolina used to be the kingmaker for Republicans.
UTUSN
(70,762 posts)* If he wanted to be a Bible saint, don't undo the JFK separation of church/state (carrying a Bible everywhere).
* He gave us his (now) FoxNews polltaker Pat CADDELL, and Tweety, and RUSSERT.
virgogal
(10,178 posts)Especially the Iowa/New Hampshire hype.
Why ???
RandySF
(59,414 posts)we need to change the state constitution so we can have our presidential and state primaries when it really counts.
Renew Deal
(81,883 posts)The nice thing about IA and NH is that they are mostly small media markets.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)That is exactly the play.
Renew Deal
(81,883 posts)IA and NH are also whiter than most of the country and more rural than where most people live.
Renew Deal
(81,883 posts)I think they added SC and NV in 2004
UTUSN
(70,762 posts)RandySF
(59,414 posts)I'm not sure where it will be for Republicans.
UTUSN
(70,762 posts)longship
(40,416 posts)yewberry
(6,530 posts)NH has has historically had the first primary since 1920 and it started to become important in 1952 when it simplified its voting rules. There is a state law requiring it to be first in the nation, and they've been fighting to keep it since the 70s. Before the IA caucus started getting national attention in the 70s, NH was the first binding indication of the support candidates had.
NH is not a closed primary. Undeclared voters can vote in whichever primary they want and immediately switch back to undeclared. All voting is done with paper ballots.
While NH demographics do not reflect national racial demographics (not even close), the party numbers would probably surprise people. Almost 40% are undeclared independents. NH is more conservative than VT & MA, and that tends to manifest as a 'live free or die' libertarian streak.
NH is small and NH markets are relatively cheap. A candidate without a lot of cash can do a lot in NH-- you can drive around the state for a few days and hit the 'major' cities, and TV/radio spots there are dirt cheap in comparison to larger markets. Even more important, the state parties have massive networking systems to handle the demand. Any candidate can set up a state event in a day and expect a turnout, and that candidate can set up house parties and a place to sleep for free on a dime. And the media will show up.
That last paragraph should say a lot. NH might seem to be a weird choice, but the state has an infrastructure that really doesn't exist elsewhere.