Caucus more than a meeting

The good news about moving Nevada's caucuses forward has been the national attention the state's issues have received.

The bad news is participation in the process will be limited and anyone walking away from a caucus thinking they've had any substantial input on their party's candidate is in for a big surprise.

It has been a quarter of a century since Nevadans cast a ballot for the presidential candidate. The election was held on May 27, 1980, and only two candidates from each party appeared on the ballot, three of whom were either president or would be.

Douglas Democrats liked President Carter over Sen. Ted Kennedy. Republicans liked soon-to-be President Reagan over later-to-be President Bush the first.

The 1980 primary was the second and last held in the state. Today a primary held in May would be worse than worthless, since the candidate would be a foregone conclusion by the time it arrived.

The expense of a presidential primary led the Legislature to alter the law so taxpayers weren't subsidizing what is essentially a party activity.

And for anyone planning on attending a caucus meeting, that's exactly what they are. Precinct officials are selected, suggestions for platforms are collected and delegates to the county convention are picked. Anyone who wants to be a delegate to the county convention or have a shot at any of the other conventions has to be at the caucus.

Douglas Republicans will have an opportunity to say who they like for their party's nominee, but that preference won't be binding on their delegates.

Rank and file Democrats will have slightly more input on their party's nominee, but their delegates will be able to change candidates at the county, state or national conventions.

We encourage county Republicans and Democrats to participate in their caucuses on Jan. 19. There's a lot more to do there than pick a nominee for president.