to the presidential campaign this go-around. I have watched many of the debates and read quite a bit, but the urgency has not hit me as yet. The past two campaign cylcles I was working in Des Moines and the campaign was all around me. Principal Financial, being the biggest private sector employer in the state, had forums for every viable candidate and I went to most, giving me an opportunity to see and hear them up close, and even though they stuck to their talking points, it still gave one insight that is hard to get on television. For example, I was very impressed with Huckabee when he appeared in person, when I had previously thought little of him as a candidate. Walking the skywalk system downtown I often ran into people like Tim Russert, George Stephanopoulis, David Gregory, Joe Scarborough, Chris Wallace among others, which means little, but kind of adds to the excitement of the event. If you have ever lived in a state with a meaningful primary (missouri's has never been meaningful) or especially an early primary like iowa or new hampshire, there is an excitement that you just don't feel elsewhere.

sorry for your disconnectedness in missouri...here in florida we have a jan 3 deadline for our primary registration, so we feel the urgency! i felt the urgency all the way back before nov 2010 and i hope enough voters feel the urgency again this year.....

If you live in Florida's 5th Congressional District, which embraces most of The Villages, the primary offers choices...and few choices.

For the U.S. House of Representatives seat currently held by Rich Nugent, the primary is meaningless. Nugent has no Republican opposition, no Democratic opposition, and only one independent registered to run against him. Clearly the choice in November 2012 will be between the Republican incumbent and an independent challenger.

The primary for the U.S. Senate is a whole different story. There is only one Democratic candidate, incumbent Bill Nelson. But there are sixteen Republican candidates for thre seat!

The Presidential primary will be important, of course, being one of the earlier primaries representing a large state. All the candidates you see on TV will be on the ballot.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

to the presidential campaign this go-around. I have watched many of the debates and read quite a bit, but the urgency has not hit me as yet. The past two campaign cylcles I was working in Des Moines and the campaign was all around me. Principal Financial, being the biggest private sector employer in the state, had forums for every viable candidate and I went to most, giving me an opportunity to see and hear them up close, and even though they stuck to their talking points, it still gave one insight that is hard to get on television. For example, I was very impressed with Huckabee when he appeared in person, when I had previously thought little of him as a candidate. Walking the skywalk system downtown I often ran into people like Tim Russert, George Stephanopoulis, David Gregory, Joe Scarborough, Chris Wallace among others, which means little, but kind of adds to the excitement of the event. If you have ever lived in a state with a meaningful primary (missouri's has never been meaningful) or especially an early primary like iowa or new hampshire, there is an excitement that you just don't feel elsewhere.

eweissenbach: When I lived in Des Moines my company had a political club and so I had the opportunity to attend many of the fund raising dinners, etc. I too met a number of pols national, state and local. It is exciting and it is truly so much different. Some day when we have time I'd like to tell you of the conversation I had with governor Branstad at a poltical breakfast. I had the entire room in roaring and still manged to make Branstad look good.

Now I am saddened because it seems this country has lost its ability to generate truly viable candidates. Its like picking at a meal you know you just don't like but you certainly can't to go home hungry

Rubicon,
I do not think I have heard it put any better by anyone before. 100% right on.
"Now I am saddened because it seems this country has lost its ability to generate truly viable candidates. Its like picking at a meal you know you just don't like but you certainly can't to go home hungry."

I have the same feeling I had when I knew I did not want Obama and I had to hold my nose and vote for McCain.
I have no idea at this point and feel like I will have to get behind the establishment pick of Romney.
I wish I could find something to hang my hat on instead of just getting rid of Obama.
I would Like to vote for someone who I really felt that would be good for our country and our economy.

Originally Posted by rubicon

eweissenbach: When I lived in Des Moines my company had a political club and so I had the opportunity to attend many of the fund raising dinners, etc. I too met a number of pols national, state and local. It is exciting and it is truly so much different. Some day when we have time I'd like to tell you of the conversation I had with governor Branstad at a poltical breakfast. I had the entire room in roaring and still manged to make Branstad look good.

Now I am saddened because it seems this country has lost its ability to generate truly viable candidates. Its like picking at a meal you know you just don't like but you certainly can't to go home hungry

Good analogy rubi! I should add that it seems to me that the process is a little skewed when small states like Iowa and New Hampshire have such outsized influence on our nation's presidential elections. It seems to me that we should have a national primary day, and though neither will ever happen, a 60 day campaign limit.