This isn't your standard politics question

I've noticed for the 2004 Presidential election, we've got Howard Dean and Wesley Clark as democrats.

How does that work? I thought there was only 1 guy per party (i.e. George Bush vs. Al Gore).

Do Dean and Clark have to duke it out to decide who takes a shot at Bush?

Basic question, but it's been bothering me

Thanks,

XXL

 

I have no idea... I'd like to know that also.
Im not much into politics but I'd like to know how that'd work.

 

I believe thats what the primarys are, when the political parties vote on who their candidate for president will be

 

The parties have to decide who their candidate will be. The reps already have. The dems are arguing about it, the process is known as "primaries", the result of the primary will be a single candidate to represent the party at the big game

 

Kind of like the playoffs?

 

The democrats will decide at the national convention who they're candidate will be. The primaries are a series of regional snapshots used to figure out who will have the best chance.

 

exactly...the 9 major democratic hopefuls are currently trying to duke it out for the nomination at the democratic convention. Then the one thats nominated will go up against bush.

 

Ok that makes sense - so the Dems basically vote for their democrat of choice, and then he goes on to run against the incumbent?

Thanks!

XXL

 

Wait... I think I'm lost again... 2 democrats run against each other to see who will run another democrat, to see who will run the rep?
Or is it 2 (or however many) run and the winner goes against the rep?

 

X number of Democrats (Currently 9) run against each other to win their parties nomination to represent them in the 2004 Presidental election. That winner goes up against the Republican nominiee. Bush has that wrapped up because noone is running against him. Technically more Republicans can try to take the nomination away from Bush, but nobody is.

Here in Missouri there is another democrat running against the Governor in the primary, so our governer may not even get to run in the main election in 2004. That has never happened before, but it is possible.

Now, to get on the ballot you just have to raise enough money in all 50 states and you are on for whatever party you are with. It is just that a party can have only one person on the ballot in November. Generally (but not always), Democrats and Republicans are the only parties that have to run a campaign just to get on the ballot for their party.

Joe

 

Thanks for clearing that up

 

When the Democratic National Convention comes along, more than likely there will be fewer candidates still hanging in there. As the election grows nearer, the ones with minimal popularity will probably drop out.

 

Now for my second question - I'm a registered republican. Could I theoretically vote in the democratic primaries? Could I vote for a democratic candidate?

Forgive my ignorance; I'm relatively new to all of this.

XXL

 

How to you register with a party?
I jsut signed up to vote, I dont know crap about it
other than I voted for what I thought was right for mayor and stuff around here

 

As a registered republican, you can only vote in the Republican primaries, but come the big election you can vote for anyone you want to. To vote in any primaries, you must be registered with that party.