Many friends and family are confused as to exactly how candidates are selected for party nomination, and how they end up representing a major political party in the general election. Well, let me break it down for you in simple terms.
The process kicks off (for the two major political parties in the US) with candidates battling for their parties nomination by competing in each state's primary election or caucus. After a nominee is selected, they move on to the general election, where our President is chosen.
Let us start with dates for caucuses and primaries:
Here is a slick calender - that details state by state primaries and caucuses
Find another similar handy PDF here
Next, if you haven't registered to vote do so
Here it is. with the State by state voter registration guide.
Then, let us proceed to what you really came for, more info on the primary election and caucus process.
Here is info on the general election process.
The following are two places tracking the Caucus and Primaries results.
This is the best one from CNN. Just scroll down, and to the left is a map of the US where you can select the state.
Here is another place that tracks results of the primaries and caucuses. Nothing has been published here yet.
In addition, here is Iowa for a live example of recent caucuses.
Here is the Iowa Caucus explained, as it is a bit different than all the rest of the caucuses.
Here is a Q&A on caucuses.
Here is Iowa caucus results
Wyoming Results too can be found HERE
I hope this helps.
How the 2008 Presidential Election process takes place - Primaries and Caucuses, Results
Iowa and New Hampshire 2008 Presidential Polls
Keep in mind when looking at these polls, they are merely based off of past voters being polled, hence, any newcomers will not be polled. So, say for example - you have switched parties and or had never voted before, or don't own a landline - their vote may have been missed - skewing results. Thus, a sample error of + or - %5 might not be truly accurate, some could argue it may be as high as %10-20. However, it is what it is and this is what we have:
Check out Iowa caucus results here.
Iowa's primary vote for both major parties will be on Jan 3.,2008.
New Hampshire results here
New Hampshire's primary vote for both major parties will be on Jan 8.,2008.
"Tancredo expected to drop out of presidential race"
See the story here.
Update: He did drop out, see that story here
Top 10 reasons why you shouldn't look to the Mainstream Media for your presidential candidate analysis
There are various reasons why you shouldn't look to the Mainstream Media (MSM) for your presidential candidate analysis - here are my top 10;
1. Their objectives are biased and not the same as your's and mine. Billionaires that own the television/radio companies have great influence over their coverage, and will force their choice on you and me, and smear or spin in a negative light -anyone they disagree with or that disagrees with them. And, this is their right.
2. Lesser known candidates will hardly have a chance to see the light of day, because nobody will advertise to small audiences. Major advertisers want major markets, not numerous different and immeasurable slices of audiences.
3. You become dependent on a few news sources, and rarely become engaged in discussion or critical thinking. If we have everyone else doing the analysis, how could we know that they are feeding us BS? Do you trust everything everyone says?
4. Quality journalism is scarce. Anymore, mainstream news is prepackaged, bottled, and shipped out over the airwaves, without any investigation - merely regurgitation and manipulation by each source.
5. They generalize and forcefully classify us into a few groups of their choosing. They make us conform to their needs.
6. Ignorance is not bliss for the rest of us. We must compensate for the damage the media does to the less knowledgeable folk by taking hours to explain the truth as we see it.
7. They focus on trivial, wedge issues, rather than the most important factors to our country’s prosperity and sovereignty.
8. They focus too much on polls that are based upon previous voters. Technology has changed, polling techniques have not. With less landlines and different demographics each election – polls are merely tiny indicators – not the bottom line they make them out to be.
9. They focus too much on personal lives, rather than what the candidate will do and how they stand on various issues. Of course, to a certain extent – personal lives could be relevant – if say, the candidate committed a crime – but most people don’t care what Mike Huckabee’s son did in boy scouts – I sure the hell don’t and I dislike the Huckster the same.
10. They focus on tiny abstract pieces, not the entire picture.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please offer your reasons and explain these views to your friends and family – so “We the People” can become more informed and truly make the difference that the MSM has failed at.
Select a Candidate Quiz
This quiz seemed to nail my choice, but take it with a grain of salt. Try it here
Here is another one, rather cool I must say.
Cool Ron Paul art
I have made it quite apparent I am voting for Ron Paul, however, I will not bad mouth any other candidate. Having said that, here is a cool pic from Ron's daughter (I hope).
Here is the source
Ron Paul raking in that loot, over 6 Million in one day sets new record
Many are convinced that Ron Paul will not gain the Republican nomination under any circumstances, regardless his apparent abilities to outraise all candidates - either side. Only time will tell, but what he is doing is impressive to say the least.
Ron Paul hauls in over 6 Million bucks in one day, on pace to out raise all candidates for 4th QTR fundraising.
Straw Poll Results, Latest Fundraising Status
Here it is for Democrats
And for Republicans
Don't forget to check out the latest fundraising status for both parties HERE
We'll see soon enough if these things mean much.
National Polling Reports
Here are the most recent polls from The Polling Report
Republicans
Democrats
The General Election
2008 Non Partisan Candidate Comparisons
On WAR in Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East (Foreign Policy):
McCain "Supports Bush's surge, in fact, calls for more additional troops than Bush recommends. Has been quoted as saying he is willing to stay in Iraq for 100 years. "The most important weapons in the U.S. arsenal are the men and women of American armed forces. John McCain believes we must enlarge the size of our armed forces to meet new challenges to our security. For too long, we have asked too much of too few - with the result that many service personnel are on their second, third and even fourth tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. There can be no higher defense priority than the proper compensation, training, and equipping of our troops." Read more here.
Obama,as a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a "phased withdrawal." "Our country's greatest military asset is the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States. When we do send our men and women into harm's way, we must also clearly define the mission, prescribe concrete political and military objectives, seek out advice of our military commanders, evaluate the intelligence, plan accordingly, and ensure that our troops have the resources, support, and equipment they need to protect themselves and fulfill their mission." -Barack Obama, Chicago Foreign Affairs Council, April 23, 2007. Read more here.
On Civil liberties: 
McCain voted for the PATRIOT act and it's revisions. "He generally opposes the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union."
Obama voted against and later for bills to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act. "Let me be clear: this compromise is not as good as the Senate version of the bill, nor is it as good as the SAFE Act that I have cosponsored. I suspect the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way. But, it's still better than what the House originally proposed. This compromise does modestly improve the PATRIOT Act by strengthening civil liberties protections without sacrificing the tools that law enforcement needs to keep us safe." --February 16, 2006 Source. Obama supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 83 percent in 2005-2006. "Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strength chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness." -Campaign site
Social Security:
McCain would allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves. McCain's campaign site did not have a subject devoted to social security.
Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005. "We… have an obligation to protect Social Security and ensure that it's a safety net the American people can count on today, tomorrow and forever. Social Security is the cornerstone of the social compact in this country… Coming together to meet this challenge won't be easy… It will take restoring a sense of shared purpose in Washington and across this country. But if you put your trust in me — if you give me 'your hand and your heart' — then that's exactly what I intend to do as your next President." — Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, October 27, 2007. Read more here.
Stem cell research: 
Both candidates support federally funded stem cell research.
Same-sex marriage: 
McCain has mixed responses from favoring to opposing same sex marriage, seemingly in favor of legal agreements but not marriage or unions. Obama favors civil unions, but opposes same sex marriage.
Free Trade: 
McCain in favor, Obama mixed voting record.
Abortion: 
MCain mostly pro-life, except in some circumstances. Obama is pro-choice.
Capital punishment: 
McCain supports the death penalty, Obama does as well - but questions the legal system.
Medical Marijuana: 
McCain opposes legalization, Obama in favor if proved useful in treatment.
Gun control: 
McCain is mixed with wanting moderate gun control. "John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime." Find more about McCain's stance here. Obama wants strict gun control.
Health care: 
McCain opposes universal health care, rather he calls for reform, Obama supports it.
Immigration: 
McCain and Obama support amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source
Education:
MCCain Supports vouchers, Obama opposes them.
Here is basic questionnaire to help you pick if you haven't already, from 2decide.com, rather basic, but it gets the job done.
HERE is a really cool questionnaire where you can select a candidate and whatever issue you want to see their views on.
