Summary guide to Super Tuesday

Anticipation of Super Tuesday is reaching fever pitch. It is what the Sunday Times calls the “biggest day in the parties’ nomination race”. Here is a summary guide:

What is Super Tuesday?

This Tuesday, voters in 24 of the 50 states select delegates for the two parties’ national conventions, where their presidential candidates will be officially chosen. Some 2,075 delegates from a total of 4,049 will be chosen by the Democrats and 1,081 delegates from a total of 2,380 will be chosen by the Republicans.

What is its significance?

It is the most important indicator of public opinion before the presidential election itself in November. Big states such as California will have their say. A decisive victory can win the nomination for a candidate. President George W Bush and Al Gore both won majorities on Super Tuesday in 2000 and then gained their parties’ nominations. In 1992, Bill Clinton mounted a comeback on Super Tuesday and went on to serve eight years in the White House.

What are the rules?

They vary by state and between the parties. Most big states select their delegates in primary elections while many rural states use the caucus system of party meetings. Primaries will be held on Tuesday in 15 states, caucuses in the rest.

What makes Super Tuesday different?

Up to now the candidates have been engaged in ‘retail’ politics, where they can meet voters in diners or front rooms. They are now engaged in ‘wholesale’ politics where party organisation, advertising and soundbites come to the fore.

Isn’t this a crazy way to choose a president?

On the contrary. It may be expensive and lengthy (Obama and Clinton raised more than $100m last year) but the candidates have to prove they have staying power, grit and the intellectual capacity to debate and campaign endlessly. It allows voters an opportunity to watch future leaders under pressure.

See some great coverage in the Times here:

According to the Observer:

“The Democratic race is almost neck-and-neck, though Clinton has a polling lead in most big states. However, whatever happens, the race is almost certain to go well into February and March. The race is a contest for ‘delegates’ to the party convention in the summer and the Democrats got rid of ‘winner takes all’ contests. Therefore, no matter who wins on Super Tuesday, a close fight will ensure a huge haul of delegates for both candidates.

The prospect of such a long struggle for the Democratic nod has some party observers worrying about a fierce civil war between the rival camps. Over the past month, and especially in South Carolina, the Obama and Clinton campaigns fought a bitter war, tinged with racial jabs. However, over the past few days, as a more national audience has tuned in, the rhetoric has been turned down.”

With this campaign already about to go down as a rollercoaster ride for candidates on both sides we can be sure that another surprise is not too far away and this writer can’t wait to see what voters decide.