Only 9% of America Chose Trump and Clinton as the Nominees

Re:Only 9% of America Chose Trump and Clinton as the Nominees by toomanybeersies on Monday August 01, 2016 @11:34AM (#12203183)

I most of the reason is that in a lot of countries, you don't get as much choice in who leads the country. The prime ministerial candidate isn't chosen by a primary, and the PM can be deposed by parliament without much trouble (as we've seen with Australia).

In New Zealand, you're considered a bit of a loon if you're a card holding party member. I think that a lot more of the population is flexible in who they vote for as well. An MP told me once that 1/3 of voters are independent.

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Re:Only 9% of America Chose Trump and Clinton as the Nominees by thomasfoster96 on Tuesday August 02, 2016 @04:57AM (#12208602)

> The prime ministerial candidate isn't chosen by a primary

Depends on the party. None of them have three or four months of primaries like America, but the Labour Party in the UK and the Labor Party in Australia both have the whole membership voting for the leader now. Others only have elected party members voting (equivalent to US super delegates).

> In New Zealand, you're considered a bit of a loon if you're a card holding party member. I think that a lot more of the population is flexible in who they vote for as well. An MP told me once that 1/3 of voters are independent.

I'd agree to an extent with Australia as well. Those who are party members are, in my experience, older, well connected within the community, more upper class and often involved in some sort of non-partisan activism. Unless someone is trying to be elected, they do avoid showing their colours.

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