Rig-

"You can't participate if you're not there" (in caucuses)

Not that you'd pay attention but in Maine, and maybe some other caucuses in this universe, one can participate by absentee ballot. About 10% participated in that way in our local caucus. Of course they could only indicate their preference and could not debate or change their preference after debate but they had the option of participating. Of course they did have to plan ahead and request the absentee ballot, fill it out, and mail it back by the deadline. It's a tough and rigorous procedure but some managed to execute it.

Two of our "absentees" decided to show up in person anyway and we had to void their absentee ballots.

IIn my opinion, your generalizations about caucuses reflect your inexperience in caucus participation. But I must confess that a poorly attended caucus is a boring experience, like the ones we had in the late 1990's. Since 2004, the process has been reinvigorated.

Charley Noble