GOP Caucus meeting at Lone Peak High School in Highland. Thousands turn out at their neighborhood caucus meeting around Utah Thursday, March 15, 2012.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
My caucus had a 76 percent increase in turn out compared to 2010. Party rules allowed each delegate nominee to disclose platform planks, employment, personal views and support for individual candidates, etc.
Because of the larger than usual turn-out accompanied by a large number of nominations, nominees were limited to 1 minute to speak. This was hardly enough time to know a nominee's principles, ideals and values which would guide their decisions as they studied the candidates and issues in preparation for the state nominating Convention.
Instead, it appeared that the only item of interest was which candidate(s) the nominee would be supporting. This approach appears to obviate the whole process of delegates being chosen to investigate candidates during the campaign period leading up to convention and then casting ballots at convention based on their investigations.
The caucus approach is supported as being superior to a party primary on the basis that candidates for office are more accountable to the people. However, if delegate votes are tallied on caucus night and not at convention, then I'm not sure electing delegates prior to convention accomplishes anything.
It would appear that a candidate's fate is determined on caucus night and not at convention.
Gerald (Jerry) Nebeker
Layton
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"political extremism is destroying this Country"..ahhh, yea, correct JCS. You do realize that the views and actions of Barrack Obama represent the views of the Republican party in the 50's, 60's, and 70's?
The cacus system is specifically designed to concentrate power in the hands of political extremists. Like anyone who is mad for power, the are unwilling to give it up.
The caucuses of both major parties were dominated by extremists. The More..
I fear the extremist views of the minority. Which is why I really want to get rid of this worthless caucus system. It promotes the minority's agenda and excludes most Utahns.