2020, the election campaigns have begun

[robkelk]

So, are the Dems picking their leader Canadian-style this time around?

The link is to an analysis piece, not to breaking news.

The rules governing Democratic primaries and caucuses differ from state to state, but they generally give all registered Democrats (and, in some cases, Independents and even Republicans) a chance to vote.

But the process determines the allegiance of the 3,979 delegates who get to go to the Democratic National Convention. Normally, the eventual nominee has already secured a majority of delegates by that point, making the vote a formality.

That might not happen this time. If it doesn't, the decision on who becomes the next Democratic nominee will be made by delegates on the convention floor — much like the delegated conventions that, until recently, were common in Canada.

On this side of the border, these conventions have generated some unexpected outcomes. Stéphane Dion was the compromise candidate who won the 2006 Liberal leadership race, despite finishing in third place on the first ballot behind frontrunners Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae. Joe Clark (in 1976) and Brian Mulroney (in 1983) both became the Progressive Conservative leaders without leading on the first ballot.

So...

I'll echo what Labster has been saying lately: Vote for the person you want to become President.

And I'll add: Let the delegates sweat out the details. If you're backing an underdog, you might end up pleasantly surprised... but only if that underdog has some support now to take into the convention.


Two weeks to Super Tuesday. (Since it's "Super", does it get a cape? )