In case there was any doubt that caucuses are an antiquated, outmoded, and downright silly way to choose a state’s delegates to a national party convention, Washington’s Democrats have driven home the point.
Party leaders in the state have decided to cling to a caucus system for the 2016 presidential race, rather than holding a primary in which a vast cadre of citizens can vote for the Democratic nominee. In caucuses, party acolytes come together to discuss the candidates, exert influence, and pick their favorites; picturing a Grange Hall of yesteryear and a gathering of good ole boys would not be far off the mark.
Anyway, in the wake of their recent decision, Democratic State Chair Jason Ravens reinforced the horse-and-buggy nature of caucuses: “It encourages more active participation, with Democrats across the state showing up to caucuses and talking with their friends and neighbors about their presidential candidates.” To which the calm, analytical, rational response is: “Hogwash.”
Perhaps Ravens is not familiar with the Internet, or with Facebook and Twitter, or with the idea that members of the public spend more than a year discussing candidates and trying to influence their friends before it comes time to vote. As Ralph Munro, former Washington Secretary of State, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve said it before … more people go to the boat show than to caucus meetings.”