Washington State Cancels 2012 Presidential Primary (to save $10 million)

[zoog]

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state has canceled its 2012 presidential primary.

Gov. Chris Gregoire approved a bill Thursday to skip the primary after state leaders agreed that it would be better to save the $10 million it costs to manage the vote. Democrats and Republicans in the state typically rely on caucuses, not the primary, to choose candidates and allocate delegates for their national conventions.

Secretary of State Sam Reed prefers the primary system over caucuses because it draws more participation. But the Republican supports suspending the 2012 presidential vote as a one-time way to save money as lawmakers try to deal with a $5 billion shortfall in the coming budget cycle.

The state will still hold its top-two primary in August for other 2012 races.

[aaron]

Re: Washington State Cancels 2012 Presidential Primary (to save $10 million)

I heard about this on the radio. It sounded like a good decision. Let the republicrats pay for their own nomination.

[don]

Re: Washington State Cancels 2012 Presidential Primary (to save $10 million)

Based on this week's events, (playing the Bin Laden defrost card, biggest weekly drop in oil prices ever following fatuous statement by prez, conviction of hedge fund billionaire, reputed $1B war chest for re-election) it sounds like Goldman and the boyz have decided to begin the sales promotional campaign for 4 more Obamas. Who could do better. He's the polarizing dream machine, ready and willing to win with 51%. Keeps the sheeple grazing, heads down, while the joint is busted out wholesale.

It appears the Republicans have gotten their marching orders as well. A field of candidates indistinguishable from one another plus a couple of wildcards in Palin, Gingrich and Trump. It does take two, as in dog and pony. Why waste dwindling bonars on a pointless state primary in an election decided in advance. If any state needs a sunshine fund, it's Washington.