Feb 03, 2008 - 04:05:31 CST
Coming soon - Night of the Caucuses.In Bismarck, at least, Democrats, not to be outdone by the GOP, will offer afternoon hours as well.
The title given in the lead paragraph might seem to hold promise of a movie screen or a theater stage. No such thing, though there's always hope for some theatrics (North Dakota style, of a mild flavor).
The state's Republicans and Democrats have chosen the caucus method of selecting delegates to the national political conventions, which will designate rivals for the presidential election.
A primary, as in many of the states in the spotlight on Super Tuesday, might be preferable. A primary is open to greater participation, including by people who want to be consciously independent, not identified with either major political party.
Still, if a person wants to have a say in the selection of those who ultimately will choose the contenders, a caucus is worth attending.
One might think it should be a raucous caucus, considering the word for the event is derived from a Greek word for drinking cup. And probably they were spirited (in the sense of ardent spirits), in other times and climes and, who knows, maybe in some places will be Tuesday.
It will be interesting to observe the effects of scheduling the North Dakota parties' political exercise to coincide with those of 21 other states, some of them having crucial primaries.
Other than prompting some political advertising that might have been done anyway, membership in the Super Tuesday Club hasn't made North Dakota a major political battleground. It hardly has put our state on the national map.
Today, eyes of fanatical Americans will be fixed on Arizona (at least, on TV screens getting their picture from Arizona) watching Giants and Patriots contend in the Super Bowl.
Tuesday night, the screens will glow with mugs of experts, their mouths moving to tell us what we should understand happened in New York, New Jersey, California and, yes, Arizona and the others.
It will beg comparison, which game turns out to be better, today's or Tuesday's.
Party faithful in North Dakota are right to believe that people should care enough about the political process to participate in a caucus, since it's the political game in town. The party brass are hopeful that there will be impressive participation, judged by the numbers - maybe as many as 15,000 Democrats, compared with 10,508 statewide in 2004, and the GOP, that there will be about 10,000, a great increase from 2,000 four years ago, when George W. Bush seemed to have a lock on the nomination for a second term.
If you participate - and good for you if you do - expect some arm-twisting: "Come be with us and choose McCain" ... "No, Mitt wants you," while over at the other place, it'll be the same game, with different names.
Also, expect that by declaring your identity to the party, your mailbox will not be lonely in the months to come.
One thing don't do: Think you'll be welcome at both parties' establishments, first one, then the next. The earth will open and swallow you.
Jason wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:34 AM:
PO3 wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:20 PM:
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.