What Do the Results Really Mean?

I find the process for US elections fairly confusing. I have taken some time to follow the progress of Hillary Clinton & Barak Obama. I am pleased that Obama is ahead. He is the one I favour, but as I dont know the other candidates too well, or not at all, my preferences are fairly ignorant I suppose.

Personally, I put absolutely NO faith in the results of a system that disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of registered voters. No active duty military can vote unless they happen to be home on leave because there are NO absentee votes permitted. Entire groups of voters are left out because the caucus is held in th early evening hours and you must be present and stay for several hours. How many working parents can do this? How many working people can do this? Because it lasts so long, voters cannot just take time off from their job to go and vote. How about people who are handicapped or senior citizens? Even though they vote in the real election; their voice is unheard at the caucus because of the physical requirements. A caucus is a throwback to the days when only white, male property owners were allowed a vote. Even though the requirements have changed; less than 5% of the registered voters are making decisions that affect everyone.

I watched part of the television coverage last night, and I do not think I understand it even more. What I did learn is that the Democratic Caucus is run differently than the Republican Caucus. I will say that I do not even know much about Fred Thompson, and I do not like any of the three dems very much at all. What I gathered last night is that in the Dem caucus any candidate that does not get 15% is considered unviable and their delegates need to be moved to another candidate for another vote--hence the moving from one corner to the next, I guess. It is a two stage vote. Republican is just a one time vote, straight forward. There was lots of staticstics about people who finished which positions in Iowa and New Hampshire.

It means about the same as who wins the first few events in an olympic event. Doing well doesn't mean you'll get the gold medal, but if you have a poor showing in the first few rounds, you may not be in shape for the medal round.

I dunno. I'm supporting Hilary Cluinton and she's not doing so well (I wish she were more relaxed. She's just so wooden!) I don't think Iowa or New Hampshire are vitally important in terms of electoral or delegate votes but those early caucases and primaries build momentum. The Pennsylvania primary isn't until much later but it's states like Pennsylvania and New York that have the prizes and I think (for now anyway), they are firmly behind Hilary Clinton. I just hope they stay with her.

yes i am canadian and since we live close to the US border (at NY state) we get to see a lot of American news. i am wondering also what this all means, is this a precurser to the election? does this decide who will actually run? what states they will carry etc? please explain!!

Well who do you like, I like both, so it doesn't matter to me who wins, I have this website check it out, it was sent to me. about Obama with signing in it. I ike it tell me if you like it? www.dipdive.com

TO me it is a bunch of hype! and just spending money. we are to have a caucas out here to first time ever and I dont know what that is. I know I dont like any of teh Demacrat nominiys and know nothing about the republicans so am stumped at who to eer vote for came Nov and they will reall try to tear each other apart. and spend more money and then never keep what they promice

Honey..We just have to wait til the end..They can say this and that but it will be Nov before we know for sure..Alot can change between now and then... I haqve the feeling that Clinton will win..although that is now my choise!..just a vision of the future... xoxoxoxo

This is just a dry run for the real thing, and it serves a purpose in the respect that candidates that don't do well can and will drop out of the race and thus narrowing the field, and it is how the decision is made for the final candidate for each party. The winners will have to look sharp to keep their momentum going so they can make the final ballot.

We are on the same boat. But all we can do now is hope for the best. May the best man win and lead us properly.