Help the politically retarded...

[lucky_topher]

I know i SHOULD know... but i don't and not afraid to ask...

what the hell are the "primaries" and what is the purpose?

[Sean88gt]

They are essentially nominating elections. It is supposed to weed out the garbage (How does this work when there is nothing but?) and provide a clear choice.

This year may present open conventions where the candidate is picked at the convention from a field that have held on.

[JP135]

Each party decides which candidate to support. Out of ten Republican candidates, one will be selected by the Republican party to go against whomever the Democratic party picks as their candidate. From there, the actual election is held.

[jakesford]

What is going to be more interesting IMO is the running mate choices once the candidates have been chosen :o

[lucky_topher]

so there can only be one winner in the primaries and that is the "main" person for the rep/dem parties? then the rest of the candidates are just lower on the ballot?

[Mustangman_2000]

so there can only be one winner in the primaries and that is the "main" person for the rep/dem parties? then the rest of the candidates are just lower on the ballot?

I'll give you a very basic explanation to a somewhat complex process.

The primary elections are run by the states that do not have caucuses. The resulting total delegate votes of the state primaries and caucuses is what determines who will be nominated to represent their political party at the national convention.

You can lose a big primary and still go on to win your parties nomination. Just like President Bush did when he lost the New Hampshire Primaries to John McCain. It's a race to the finish line and you are accumulating votes. And you'll see more campaign advertising and pavement pounding in the states that have more estimated delegates.

People often wonder why the Iowa caucuses are such a big deal. It is the first caucus to start off the process and it usually establishes a barometer of where the candidates rank in popularity. Iowa is a battleground state because it's considered a swing state. However, Iowa perhaps is the most influential in the entire process. Therefore, it is such a key state that some candidates will concede just based on the results of the this caucus.

[JimD]

They are essentially nominating elections. It is supposed to weed out the garbage (How does this work when there is nothing but?) and provide a clear choice.

.
So were just voting for Garbage this year!! Ain't one candidate worth a dang!

[BP]

It is also my understanding that you've got to register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary and once you do so you've already commited your vote to that party. Could be wrong but that's why I've never voted in one.

[Mustangman_2000]

It is also my understanding that you've got to register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary and once you do so you've already commited your vote to that party. Could be wrong but that's why I've never voted in one.

It depends on the state and whether or not it is a closed or open primary.

A closed primary (majority) is like you said, you have to be a registered party member to vote. And Independents can't vote at all.

A open primary (New York, Utah, etc..) you can vote for any party regardless of your own affiliation.

[Mustangman_2000]

It is also my understanding that you've got to register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary and once you do so you've already commited your vote to that party. Could be wrong but that's why I've never voted in one.

It depends on the state and whether or not it is a closed or open primary.

A closed primary (majority) is like you said, you have to be a registered party member to vote. And Independents can't vote at all.

A open primary (New York, Utah, etc..) you can vote for any party regardless of your own affiliation.

[Sean88gt]

So were just voting for Garbage this year!! Ain't one candidate worth a dang!

Which is what I said, but thanks for saying it again:D

[shlby123]

not an easy choice choosing between a douche and turd sammich. :p Little humor. sorry sorry.

[lefty1300]

What is going to be more interesting IMO is the running mate choices once the candidates have been chosen :o
KERRY BACKS OBAMMA HUSSIEN ..HUMMMMMMM :D