http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545 How about that Super Tuesday? Wasn't it great to be a real player in the presidential primary, instead of a June Johnny-come-lately? To be courted for our votes and not just our donor dollars? Last year, naysayers inexplicably claimed that moving the presidential primary up a measly five months would cause the ruination of the state's electoral process. Some of those same critics now readily admit the earlier-than-usual election wasn't such a bad idea after all. Some of us - OK, a lot of us - are&nbsp;disappointed with the election results. Still, there was considerable satisfaction in casting a vote that actually counts. So the next time you run into Ashburn be sure and say thanks - he coauthored the legislation that made it happen. How about that Super Tuesday? Wasn't it great to be a real player in the presidential primary, instead of a June Johnny-come-lately? To be courted for our votes and not just our donor dollars? Last year, naysayers inexplicably claimed that moving the presidential primary up a measly five months would cause the ruination of the state's electoral process. Some of those same critics now readily admit the earlier-than-usual election wasn't such a bad idea after all. Some of us - OK, a lot of us - are&nbsp;disappointed with the election results. Still, there was considerable satisfaction in casting a vote that actually counts. So the next time you run into Ashburn be sure and say thanks - he coauthored the legislation that made it happen. en-us <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Our votes do not count. The candidates are going to play to the last vote counted.</b></p> <p><b>We should have had our primaries in July.</b></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197733 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197733 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Our votes do not count. The candidates are going to play to the last vote counted.</b></p> <p><b>We should have had our primaries in July.</b></p> <p>You have it all wrong.  No presidential candidate visited Bakersfield, so we must not have been all that important in Feb,</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197735 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197735 <p>You have it all wrong.  No presidential candidate visited Bakersfield, so we must not have been all that important in Feb,</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Marylee have you lost the ability to post fairly?</b></p> <p><b>This also passed the Senate floor 36 to 3.</b></p> <p><b>Also:</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.2in"><span style="color: #ff0000"><b>Members of the California State Senate: <br /> I am signing Senate Bill 113. </b></span><b><br /> For too long, presidential candidates have viewed California as a place in which to raise large campaign contributions to spend in other states. Moving California&rsquo;s presidential primary to February will ensure that these candidates instead focus on earning the support of California voters. As the most populous state in the nation, California voters should have a far greater voice in determining who earns their party&rsquo;s nomination. <br /> Strengthening the voice of voters in the election process is the foundation of our democracy, and moving the presidential primary is a significant step for California on the national stage. However, I believe we must strengthen the voice of California voters in every election, and I will continue to work toward a comprehensive political reform package. This is the year for fair and independent redistricting, campaign finance reform and fixing California&rsquo;s term limit law. We cannot stop until the job is done. <br /> In addition, a separate presidential primary election does not come without costs to California counties. As such, I am signing this measure with the understanding that the Legislature will reimburse counties for the costs of the presidential primary as soon as possible. <br /> </b><span style="font-size: xx-large"><span style="color: #ff0000"><b>Sincerely, <br /> Arnold Schwarzenegger </b></span></span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197736 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197736 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Marylee have you lost the ability to post fairly?</b></p> <p><b>This also passed the Senate floor 36 to 3.</b></p> <p><b>Also:</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.2in"><span style="color: #ff0000"><b>Members of the California State Senate: <br /> I am signing Senate Bill 113. </b></span><b><br /> For too long, presidential candidates have viewed California as a place in which to raise large campaign contributions to spend in other states. Moving California&rsquo;s presidential primary to February will ensure that these candidates instead focus on earning the support of California voters. As the most populous state in the nation, California voters should have a far greater voice in determining who earns their party&rsquo;s nomination. <br /> Strengthening the voice of voters in the election process is the foundation of our democracy, and moving the presidential primary is a significant step for California on the national stage. However, I believe we must strengthen the voice of California voters in every election, and I will continue to work toward a comprehensive political reform package. This is the year for fair and independent redistricting, campaign finance reform and fixing California&rsquo;s term limit law. We cannot stop until the job is done. <br /> In addition, a separate presidential primary election does not come without costs to California counties. As such, I am signing this measure with the understanding that the Legislature will reimburse counties for the costs of the presidential primary as soon as possible. <br /> </b><span style="font-size: xx-large"><span style="color: #ff0000"><b>Sincerely, <br /> Arnold Schwarzenegger </b></span></span></p> <p>&quot;Last year, naysayers inexplicably claimed that moving the presidential primary...&quot;</p> <p>...was just a ploy by Califoriania legislators to adjust their &quot;term-limits',&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>For example, the editoiral staff, of a newspaper that I'm very fond of.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197747 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197747 <p>&quot;Last year, naysayers inexplicably claimed that moving the presidential primary...&quot;</p> <p>...was just a ploy by Califoriania legislators to adjust their &quot;term-limits',&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>For example, the editoiral staff, of a newspaper that I'm very fond of.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>3 major elections in 1 year sounds too expensive considering the fact that we are looking at a $14,000,000,000.00 deficit in California this year.&nbsp; Even with the earlier primary, the field was already whittled down to the point where thousands of mailed in votes went to candidates that had already dropped out.&nbsp; Primaries are continually being held earlier and earlier.&nbsp; They ought to set it up to have&nbsp;3 or 4 states hold their primaries every week for 16 weeks starting&nbsp;in March through June.&nbsp; The states' primary dates would be decided by drawing names from a hat 4 years before, or right after the previous presidential inaugural.&nbsp;Every state would have the same chance to be the &quot;first in nation&quot; primary date.&nbsp; But, of course there&nbsp;would probably be something &quot;unconstitional&quot; with this suggestion.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197774 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197774 <p>3 major elections in 1 year sounds too expensive considering the fact that we are looking at a $14,000,000,000.00 deficit in California this year.&nbsp; Even with the earlier primary, the field was already whittled down to the point where thousands of mailed in votes went to candidates that had already dropped out.&nbsp; Primaries are continually being held earlier and earlier.&nbsp; They ought to set it up to have&nbsp;3 or 4 states hold their primaries every week for 16 weeks starting&nbsp;in March through June.&nbsp; The states' primary dates would be decided by drawing names from a hat 4 years before, or right after the previous presidential inaugural.&nbsp;Every state would have the same chance to be the &quot;first in nation&quot; primary date.&nbsp; But, of course there&nbsp;would probably be something &quot;unconstitional&quot; with this suggestion.</p> <p>Our election services can use the practice.&nbsp; </p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197778 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_197778 <p>Our election services can use the practice.&nbsp; </p> <p>Yeah, it's not like Roy Asburn is a tool or anything.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198006 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198006 <p>Yeah, it's not like Roy Asburn is a tool or anything.</p> <p>Of course not, tango.&nbsp; Tools are *USEFUL*.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198036 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198036 <p>Of course not, tango.&nbsp; Tools are *USEFUL*.</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium">Thank Roy Ashburn for what?&nbsp; Being a self-promoting liberal in Repubican clothing?</span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198086 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/rightthinking/21545/#c_198086 <p><span style="font-size: medium">Thank Roy Ashburn for what?&nbsp; Being a self-promoting liberal in Repubican clothing?</span></p>