Primary Caucus

I’m torn between hating and respecting the primary/caucus system here in America. On one hand, it’s just the way a political party picks their candidate and it gets far to much attention by the media. On the other, we do live in a two party state (as much as this fact annoys me) and its something to pay attention too.

The rush for states to try to be first is just childish, but makes sense for each state. While having all primaries at the same time would get rid of a lot of the BS and compress the event from three month affair, to a single day, it would remove the chance for third tier people to make a legitimate run at being nominated. Making a good showing in an early state like New Hampshire and someone like Jon Huntsman becomes more than a forgotten name when the next state votes.

But it also gives those states far to much influence. Such as ethanol subsidies.  Sometimes this isn’t so bad, like the small town of Dixville Notch getting their 9 votes reported at midnight of primary day. It’s a small insignificant vote, but a fun little story.

I’m hoping Jon Huntsman pulls of a win in New Hampshire. If he does, it means there are still sane people in the Republican party. I probably wound’t vote for Huntsman in a general election, but I also wouldn’t consider making use of my wife’s Canadian citizenship to flee the country if he won. Unlike if say, Santorum or Perry won.

If Rick Santorum becomes the Republican nominee, it will mean that the Republicans are definitely lost to the crazies. If he then wins the general election, it means the America I believe in is dead. Electing a racist homophobe would mean America is really not a home for anyone anymore. Not that is really has ever been, but we at least tried to pretend.

But I hold out hope that that won’t happen. Huntsman will pull out a surprising win in and we’ll have a reasonable campaign between him and Obama. They might actually discuss how to deal with global warming, instead of debating if it exists.

Or Romney will win, because enough Republicans realize that Santorum and Gingrich are crazy assholes, and then Obama will win reelection in a landslide because no one likes Romney.