Minnesota Democratic caucuses, 2008
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The 2008 Minnesota Democratic Caucuses took place on February 5, 2008 (Super Tuesday).
Contents |
[edit] Candidates
Candidates Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, and John Edwards dropped out of the presidential race before the Minnesota caucus.
[edit] Money raised from Minnesota
| Candidate | Money raised[1] (US$) |
|---|---|
| Joe Biden | $11,290 |
| Hillary Clinton | $630,361 |
| Chris Dodd | $63,130 |
| John Edwards | $218,697 |
| Mike Gravel | $500 |
| Dennis Kucinich | $9,640 |
| Barack Obama | $614,569 |
| Bill Richardson | $82,094 |
[edit] Process
Of the 88 delegates, 72 are allocated based on the results of the caucuses. Candidates must reach a threshold of 15% support at the precinct, congressional district, and statewide levels. Unlike other caucuses, there is no realignment of nonviable groups, and the results are binding for the delegates.[2]
There are more than 4,000 precinct caucus sites. Any Minnesotan who will be eligible to vote in the November election, is not an active member of a party other than the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and agrees with DFL party principles may participate. All participants, by signing in, affirm their agreement with the DFL's principles. The caucus includes a presidential preference primary, in which voters cast secret ballots for presidential candidates. These results are tallied, and used to elect 47 delegates from each of the state's eight congressional districts as follows:[2]
| Congressional District |
Pledged Delegates |
|---|---|
| 1st | 5 |
| 2nd | 5 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 7 |
| 5th | 8 |
| 6th | 5 |
| 7th | 5 |
| 8th | 6 |
| Total | 47 |
An additional 25 pledged delegates are then allocated based upon the statewide caucus vote.[2]
The remaining 16 delegates are unpledged. The 14 Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs) include 7 Democratic National Committee members, 6 members of the United States Congress, and former Vice President Walter Mondale. There are also two unpledged add-on delegates, elected at the state convention.[2]
[edit] Pre-caucus events, predictions, and polls
Polling showed a tightening race for the nomination.
| Candidate | Sept. 18-23, 2007[3] | Jan. 18-27, 2008[4] |
|---|---|---|
| Hillary Clinton | 47% | 40% |
| Barack Obama | 22% | 33% |
| John Edwards | 16% | 12% |
[edit] Caucus night
Minnesotans turned out in record numbers to attend the 2008 Democratic caucuses in locations throughout the state. The previous record turnout was about 80,000 in 1968 or 1972; the 2008 turnout exceeded 214,000. As the caucus results came in, Barack Obama consistently held a 2-to-1 lead over Hillary Clinton, with support throughout the state.[5][6] Turnout at the DFL caucuses was significantly higher than at Republican caucuses that night.
[edit] Results
| Key: | Withdrew prior to contest |
| Minnesota Democratic presidential caucus, 2008 99.76% of precincts reporting[6] |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | National delegates[7] |
| Barack Obama | 142,109 | 66.39% | 48 |
| Hillary Clinton | 68,994 | 32.23% | 24 |
| John Edwards | 985 | 0.46% | 0 |
| Dennis Kucinich | 361 | 0.17% | 0 |
| Joe Biden | 129 | 0.06% | 0 |
| Bill Richardson | 82 | 0.04% | 0 |
| Christopher Dodd | 77 | 0.04% | 0 |
| Frank Lynch | 17 | 0.01% | 0 |
| Uncommitted | 1,312 | 0.61% | 0 |
| Totals | 214,066 | 100.00% | 72 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Map: Campaign money race". CNN (2008-01-07). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b c d "Precinct Caucus Frequently Asked Questions: National Delegate Selection". Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.
- ^ "Minnesota Poll: Clinton has strong lead, but GOP race is bunched up", Star Tribune (2007-10-02). Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
- ^ "Minnesota Public Radio News and Humphrey Institute Poll". Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota (2008-01-29). Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
- ^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (2008-02-06). "Nearly 200,000 turn out in Obama victory", Pioneer Press. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
- ^ a b "Unofficial Results Presidential Preference Ballot / Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Election Center 2008: Minnesota Election Results". CNN (2008-02-06). Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
[edit] External links
- League of Women Voters of Minnesota Information on caucuses and voting
- Minnesota Public Radio, Campaign 2008: Presidential Race Campaign news and polls
- Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Detailed caucus information
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