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In American elections, people often complain that they're unsatisfied with the choices. They're cynical about having to pick the least bad candidate from a narrow set of options they don't really like. They feel that the real choices have already been made for them.
They're right.
The real choices have already been made for them. And in many cases, the people who made those choices are the ones we call primary voters. The people making these well-founded complaints tend to be the ones who don't get involved in primaries. By giving primaries a pass, they exclude themselves from many of the most important elections they could vote in, and relegate themselves to second class voter status, left to choose among the pickings left for them by those who did vote in the primaries.
If you ever feel tempted to make the complaints in the first paragraph, pay attention to primaries. You will find candidates you actually like. You will find a broad spectrum of choices. And you can be part of the minority of voters who make the more important decisions: which candidates will be on the ballot in the general election. If you had to skip one, in most cases I'd say skip the general. The primary is usually much more important.
Now I'm going to ramble about three state primaries that are on my mind: Pennsylvania, because it's today; Massachusetts, because I live here and these are the campaigns I'm getting involved in; and Connecticut, which features what I think is the most important election in the country this year. But whichever state you live in, find out when your primary is, find out about the candidates in the major party you tend to prefer, and vote.
( Pennsylvania primary, Tuesday May 16th )
[Update: Chris Bowers won!]
( Massachusetts primary, September 19th )
Connecticut primary, August 8th - the most important election in the country this year.
Joe Lieberman seems like an entrenched incumbent. But he's George W Bush's favorite Democrat, representing a blue state. From all accounts, his antics have pissed off enough CT Democrats and he's vulnerable. Ned Lamont is challening him in the Democratic primary, and is already doing much better than you'd expect from someone challenging such a powerful incumbent.
( primary challenges are a big deal )
Joe Lieberman trashes Democrats and repeats Republican talking points regularly. He wholeheartedly supports the Iraq war, even today. You may recall his love of censorship from the 90s. Ned Lamont is a great candidate. Watch the video Robert Greenwald made for his campaign.
They're right.
The real choices have already been made for them. And in many cases, the people who made those choices are the ones we call primary voters. The people making these well-founded complaints tend to be the ones who don't get involved in primaries. By giving primaries a pass, they exclude themselves from many of the most important elections they could vote in, and relegate themselves to second class voter status, left to choose among the pickings left for them by those who did vote in the primaries.
If you ever feel tempted to make the complaints in the first paragraph, pay attention to primaries. You will find candidates you actually like. You will find a broad spectrum of choices. And you can be part of the minority of voters who make the more important decisions: which candidates will be on the ballot in the general election. If you had to skip one, in most cases I'd say skip the general. The primary is usually much more important.
Now I'm going to ramble about three state primaries that are on my mind: Pennsylvania, because it's today; Massachusetts, because I live here and these are the campaigns I'm getting involved in; and Connecticut, which features what I think is the most important election in the country this year. But whichever state you live in, find out when your primary is, find out about the candidates in the major party you tend to prefer, and vote.
( Pennsylvania primary, Tuesday May 16th )
[Update: Chris Bowers won!]
( Massachusetts primary, September 19th )
Connecticut primary, August 8th - the most important election in the country this year.
Joe Lieberman seems like an entrenched incumbent. But he's George W Bush's favorite Democrat, representing a blue state. From all accounts, his antics have pissed off enough CT Democrats and he's vulnerable. Ned Lamont is challening him in the Democratic primary, and is already doing much better than you'd expect from someone challenging such a powerful incumbent.
( primary challenges are a big deal )
Joe Lieberman trashes Democrats and repeats Republican talking points regularly. He wholeheartedly supports the Iraq war, even today. You may recall his love of censorship from the 90s. Ned Lamont is a great candidate. Watch the video Robert Greenwald made for his campaign.