10-31-2003, 08:09 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Pissing in the cornflakes
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2004 Presidential Primary Meaningless?
Quote:
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Gary Locke (search) on Thursday called a special session of the Legislature for Dec. 5 to cancel next year's presidential primary, saying the state shouldn't waste money on an election that has no real meaning.
The primary had been set for March 2. But Democrats are using precinct caucuses in February to allocate national convention delegates, making the later Democratic primary moot. And President Bush has no serious challenger for the Republican nomination.
"Canceling the nonbinding presidential primary will save the taxpayers more than $7 million," the governor said. "It makes no sense to spend taxpayer money on an election that serves no practical purpose."
Canceling the primary was first proposed by state Sen. Jim Kastama, a Democrat, and eventually other legislators took up the cause. Local officials also called for the cancellation.
GOP Secretary of State Sam Reed, a staunch backer of the primary, reluctantly went along, telling The Associated Press "it can't pass the straight-face test" to run a meaningless election during a recession.
Kastama hailed Locke's decision to call the special session, and predicted a strong, perhaps even unanimous, vote in both houses.
"It's one of those things that just makes sense," he said.
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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host
Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.
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