tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317097193066181751.post4750374051485220343..comments2023-09-08T05:45:23.294-04:00Comments on Roanoke Red Zone: Scrap the Convention Nomination SystemBrandon Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15694860098334083058noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317097193066181751.post-64275655216101981222008-06-04T23:20:00.000-04:002008-06-04T23:20:00.000-04:00I don't mind driving becouse by living a long ways...I don't mind driving becouse by living a long ways away my vote counts for more than others may. There were several counties where only 2 people showed up. My wife and I drove 4 hours each way Saturday, leaving at 5:30am and getting home late. This was the first state wide convention we have attended and we loved it. <BR/> If it had been run better we would have enjoyed it even more. The votes should have been taken at the same time and while they were counted allowed George Allen to speak. This not only would have saved several hours but also there would have been a loud excited crowd for Allen to speak to. As it was many of the Marshall people had already left when Allen spoke and most of the others were not paying attention. Also the secretary was so slow it almost put us to sleep. <BR/> Over all though it was a great experience and I can wait untell next year to do it again. I don't mind the drive or the money spent if its for a good cause.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601719995311915926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317097193066181751.post-46013903810536108072008-06-04T10:28:00.000-04:002008-06-04T10:28:00.000-04:00I agree those living in Richmond have to spit fart...I agree those living in Richmond have to spit farther than they must drive for this type of convention. Those of us in far SW VA must pay a few hundred dollars (gas + lodging + food) just to vote. How exactly is this fair to the voting process? We have to "pay to vote" while others don't.vickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12262074682195829922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317097193066181751.post-38413184443912516942008-06-04T07:02:00.000-04:002008-06-04T07:02:00.000-04:00ppjogjtylerballance,Additionally I think the prima...ppjogjtylerballance,<BR/><BR/>Additionally I think the primary deadline should be later than early June. I found getting people aware that they have something to vote right when school is letting out is tough. I think having the primary deadline in August would be much better. Momentum would flow right into the fall instead of having the summer lull. Mississippi which has off federal cycle state elections has nominating primaries in August with much higher turnout than Virginia's.Brandon Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15694860098334083058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2317097193066181751.post-56408883757230030822008-06-04T00:02:00.000-04:002008-06-04T00:02:00.000-04:00The open primary is what I LOVE about Virginia pol...The open primary is what I LOVE about Virginia politics.<BR/><BR/>Democrats have to at least appear to listen to sportsmen, gun owners and evangelicals, etc.<BR/><BR/>While Republicans have to depart from their quiche at the country club, long enough to pretend to notice how working class people are struggling along.<BR/><BR/>The open primary also helps both parties nominate candidates with broad (or at least broader) appeal.<BR/><BR/>Virginians like their politics blended, anyway, so having a few Democrats playing in the Republican Primary and vice versa does not alter the outcomes, it only gets more of the opposite factions in contact with each other.<BR/><BR/>Cost is a big factor that people talk about when trying to advocate for caucuses and conventions, however, if we shorten the campaign season to thirty days, costs can be reduced in open primaries.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, I don't think having party bosses pick zealots from either extreme is in the best interest of the Commonwealth. I also like having the oversight afforded from having a public election.<BR/><BR/>From what I saw at the GOP Convention, sleazy political games are still being played by the old guard and the quicker the election process is extracted from their hands the better for the citizens.JTylerBallancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09044778136262456927noreply@blogger.com