The Idaho presidential party caucus was rescheduled in March for a reason — and it worked. Idaho will have more say in the Republican presidential nomination than ever before.
In the past, Idaho held its primary elections in May when the presidential nomination is already essentially locked down. Idaho has 32 delegates, more than states with earlier primaries like Iowa and New Hampshire, but has less influence because candidates take Idaho voters for granted and the primary is too late in the race to matter.
Presidential nominees don’t often come to Idaho, unless they need some spare change to fund their campaigns. But it’s been an election year of upsets and close contests, and three presidential candidates are visiting the potato state: Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
Ron Paul will speak this afternoon in the University of Idaho Student Union Building ballroom. It’s an opportunity to be face-to-face with a presidential nominee and ask questions regarding his platform. It’s an opportunity to listen to someone you might only see on the front page of a newspaper or the TV screen.
Paul has years of political experience, and a hand in influencing legislation and our country. He serves on the Committee on Financial Services and Committee on Foreign Affairs. He has also previously run for president.
State politicians and officials moved the Idaho caucus to Super Tuesday in the best interest of voters. Candidates shouldn’t be able to treat Idaho like it doesn’t matter and walk away with free votes. But now that the candidates are here, they shouldn’t speak to empty rooms.
Regardless of your political affiliation it is important to be an educated citizen and listen to candidates so when it comes time to vote Mar. 6, you can vote for the candidate who not only represents your personal beliefs, but is also who you believe will best serve our country.
Three presidential candidates in one election year is a historic moment for Idaho — be part of it.
Elisa Eiguren can be reached at [email protected]
In the past, Idaho held its primary elections in May when the presidential nomination is already essentially locked down. Idaho has 32 delegates, more than states with earlier primaries like Iowa and New Hampshire, but has less influence because candidates take Idaho voters for granted and the primary is too late in the race to matter.
Presidential nominees don’t often come to Idaho, unless they need some spare change to fund their campaigns. But it’s been an election year of upsets and close contests, and three presidential candidates are visiting the potato state: Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul.
Ron Paul will speak this afternoon in the University of Idaho Student Union Building ballroom. It’s an opportunity to be face-to-face with a presidential nominee and ask questions regarding his platform. It’s an opportunity to listen to someone you might only see on the front page of a newspaper or the TV screen.
Paul has years of political experience, and a hand in influencing legislation and our country. He serves on the Committee on Financial Services and Committee on Foreign Affairs. He has also previously run for president.
State politicians and officials moved the Idaho caucus to Super Tuesday in the best interest of voters. Candidates shouldn’t be able to treat Idaho like it doesn’t matter and walk away with free votes. But now that the candidates are here, they shouldn’t speak to empty rooms.
Regardless of your political affiliation it is important to be an educated citizen and listen to candidates so when it comes time to vote Mar. 6, you can vote for the candidate who not only represents your personal beliefs, but is also who you believe will best serve our country.
Three presidential candidates in one election year is a historic moment for Idaho — be part of it.
Elisa Eiguren can be reached at [email protected]