People raise their hands to be potential delegates for their precinct during a Democratic caucus meeting at Denver s East High School last Tuesday. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Re: Donald Trump’s victories point to a GOP crisis, March 2 news story.
As a registered independent for many years, I recently registered as a Republican with the idea of participating in the primary caucus. In attending a Denver County Republican primary caucus on Super Tuesday, it became apparent the current delegation caucus process is not what I and many others expected. I was quick to learn that many people are frustrated with government and more importantly want their voices heard and their votes counted; and not through a questionable delegation process.
The use of delegates in representing the will of the people is unnecessary, outdated and not a trustworthy process, as these delegates vote for who they want, which may not be what voters want. The use of delegates is a means of controlling a political process by a few and does not provide political transparency. It should be the people s votes that determine the Republican Party s candidate.
Garry Wolff, Denver
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.I arrived at my first caucus at 6:30 p.m. last Tuesday, to lines so long they wrapped around the block. Two hours later, when I made it inside, my precinct had already voted. My candidate lost that night, and I m stunned. My vote could have made a difference.
Aside from my own disenfranchisement, it was appalling to see who was — and who was not — present at the caucus. Our candidates were selected mainly by white people under 30 and over 50, the privileged few who can spare many hours on a school and work night. That is not democracy.
Yes, caucuses are cheaper than primaries. Indeed, it is cheaper to disenfranchise the vast majority of voters. But in a primary season when more than $900 million has already been raised by presidential candidates, how can we stand for that? Let the candidates chip in to finance free and fair elections, if that s what it takes.
Do we want a caucus? Then do it right. Plan for large turnouts. Arrange transportation and child care so everyone can participate, not just a privileged few. If that s impossible, then the Colorado legislature and the parties need to switch to a primary in Colorado.
Bronwen L. Konecky,Boulder
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.We lost two hours trying to caucus as Democrats Tuesday evening. First, we were stuck in a big auditorium and addressed by a woman with no microphone. Then, mad crush in the hall; confusion; told to find our precinct caucus room; then learned our precinct had no room but a table in the hall. My husband uses a cane: no provision for handicaps. Impossible to navigate. We came home.
This is not democracy. Why not a clean, easy primary vote? This is a terrible system.
Jennifer Brown, Denver
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.Re: The stakes on Super Tuesday, Feb. 28 Perspective article.
I hope that Thomas E. Cronin and Robert D. Loevy went to their precinct caucus last Tuesday night. They might have learned that there is much more to democracy than just voting. It includes thousands and thousands of people coming together and showing a willingness to give up an evening to community service. It includes neighbors meeting each other — often for the first time — and talking about everything from political issues to the people down the block. It includes persuasion, negotiation and compromise. It includes receiving reinforcement that you are not alone; that people around you share many of the same values.
We should keep our caucus system and reject the call to move to a presidential primary.
Thad Tecza, Denver
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.Re: Colorado GOP blundered on 2016 presidential caucus, Feb. 28 editorial.
Your editorial about the GOP blunder with the caucus this year is most welcome. This idea of the few deciding which few will go to decide on which candidate to nominate is flawed and denies each of us a voice. The Colorado Republican Party needs to return to a primary election, not a caucus, in which each person has a voice.
The column by Thomas E. Cronin and Robert D. Loevy regarding the nominating process is also right on the target. The primary process needs to be revised to have all primary elections in all states on the same day with no reporting until the last vote is cast. This is the best way to avoid influencing outcomes. And it will preclude the circus atmosphere that currently prevails.
Marion Anderson, Idaho Springs
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.Re: Colorado Republican voters still have a role in GOP nominee, March 1 letter to the editor.
I didn t know whether to get angry or laugh when I read Colorado Republican Party Chairman Steve House s letter defending the party s decision to forgo a presidential preference poll at the Super Tuesday caucus. Taking away the ability of the rank-and-file party members to express our wishes is not practicing good leadership. House is not a good leader. Self-immolation is never a good party strategy. This state needs new and effective GOP party leaders extremely badly.
Dennis Pricolo, Aurora
This letter was published in the March 6 edition.
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