State Dems to hold presidential caucuses in '08
In a bid to have some voice in the choice of their presidential nominee, Nebraska Democrats decided Saturday to hold presidential caucuses in the state next February.
The decision by the party’s state central committee to choose Feb. 9 as their caucus date represented a gamble that the Democratic presidential contest still will be undecided at the time.
The 2008 race begins with kickoff caucuses in Iowa and Nevada and presidential primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
A number of big states, including California, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey, are considering quickly jumping into the fray on Feb. 5.
“The decision for us was do we want to go on Feb. 5 and run the risk of being lost in a mix of big states or choose Feb. 9 with the risk that it’s all over by then,” Democratic National Committeeman Vince Powers of Lincoln said.
Feb. 9 appeared to be the better risk, he said.
Otherwise, Nebraska Democrats -- as well as Republicans -- essentially will have no voice at all in the choice of their presidential nominees because the state’s primary election does not occur until May long after the battle is over.
Under the new caucus system, Nebraska Democrats would meet and vote their presidential preferences while they choose delegates to their county conventions.
Delegates to the national convention in Denver would be chosen later at the party’s state convention.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
The decision by the party’s state central committee to choose Feb. 9 as their caucus date represented a gamble that the Democratic presidential contest still will be undecided at the time.
The 2008 race begins with kickoff caucuses in Iowa and Nevada and presidential primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
A number of big states, including California, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey, are considering quickly jumping into the fray on Feb. 5.
“The decision for us was do we want to go on Feb. 5 and run the risk of being lost in a mix of big states or choose Feb. 9 with the risk that it’s all over by then,” Democratic National Committeeman Vince Powers of Lincoln said.
Feb. 9 appeared to be the better risk, he said.
Otherwise, Nebraska Democrats -- as well as Republicans -- essentially will have no voice at all in the choice of their presidential nominees because the state’s primary election does not occur until May long after the battle is over.
Under the new caucus system, Nebraska Democrats would meet and vote their presidential preferences while they choose delegates to their county conventions.
Delegates to the national convention in Denver would be chosen later at the party’s state convention.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
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