D.C. Primary Doesn't Count

Like Their Representative In Congress, The D.C. Primary's Vote Doesn't Count

The always aware Richard Winger at Ballot Access News notes that despite the ongoing Florida-New Hampshire schedule war, the District of Columbia goes before anyone with a January 8 beauty contest primary. It's one of those protests against the lack of voting congressional representation, like the Gore elector in 2000 who abstained.

Maybe the proposed Utah-for-DC tradeoff, which would expand the House to 437 and give Utah a likely GOP seat in exchange for the certain Dem gain in DC, will settle things. But in the meantime, let's stroll down memory lane for a look at the 2004 DC primary:

Howard Dean won the first vote of the 2004 presidential campaign season on Tuesday - Washington, D.C.'s non-binding primary - although it was more of a voting rights rally than a chance to express a preference for a candidate.

The former Vermont governor won with 43 percent of the votes. The Rev. Al Sharpton received 34 percent of the vote, with former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois third at 12 percent, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, fourth at 8 percent.

As always, there were a few unusual candidates on the ballot - including 'Vermin Supreme,' who got at least 144 votes.