This year's rollercoaster primary season raises many questions: Is primary voter turnout too low? Why do some states use party caucuses and can we count the voters accurately? Should we all vote on one day or in regional primaries? Just two days after Super Tuesday, BPC examined these questions and more in an analysis of the pros and cons of the current presidential primary system. The panel highlighted the release of a new report on 2012 primary turnout by Curtis Gans, the nation's leading expert on voter turnout.

Introduction by

Jason Grumet
President, BPC

Featuring

Curtis Gans
Former Director, Center for the Study of the American Electorate, American University

David Norcross
Former General Counsel, Republican National Committee (RNC)

Jay Cost
Staff Writer, The Weekly Standard

John Fortier
Director, BPC Democracy Project

Coverage

CNN: As GOP fight continues, turnout numbers lag

USA Today: GOP primary turnout lower in eight states

U.S. News and World Report: Panel Says Long, Tough Campaign Will Help, Not Hurt Mitt Romney

National Journal: GOP Primary Turnout Down from 2008, 2000

BPC's 2012 Election Series

State of the Union: The Speechwriters' Perspective
January 24, 2012

As President Obama prepared to give the last State of the Union address of his first term, BPC launched an examination of the politics and policy impacting the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. From campaign- and election- themed events to policy debates, the year-long BPC effort began on January 24 with former White House speechwriters anticipating and framing the president's speech later that evening and the Republican response. The conversation explored the mechanics of writing a speech of such magnitude, the additional political pressures speechwriters face in an election year, and the expected reaction from the media and Republican presidential candidates.

Democracy Project, 2012 Politics