Anyone following the Iowa caucuses today?

I'm so tired of hearing about all these crazy presidential candidates but I'm still very curious to see what happens today. I think the campaign process started SO early this time because of all the new technologies out there that everyone is already sick of it, which is bad if it means a lot of apathetic voters in November.

Do you feel that Iowa is an accurate representation of America as a whole? I will say up front that I'm not trying to smack Iowa or the midwest, I'm just curious if people think it's enough of a cross-section of different views, ethnic groups, etc.

Oh, yeah. It's a contact sport, as far as I'm concerned. And you kind of have to around here on the Hill...

Honestly, I have my favorites that I want to win, but I truly hope (and wish) that the nominees are not winners in either IA or NH. I think that it's silly that two very small states end up steering the process.

The registered voter population in IA is roughly 1/100 of that of the US population and traditionally only 6-10% of them caucus. I just don't think that 10% of 1/100th of the US determine who should be president, or even just the nominees.

But yes, MSNBC from now until we get a majority reporting from their 99 counties.

Not until someone gives me a reasonable explanation what a cacuse is?!?!?!

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Posted by Cpt2007

Oh, yeah. It's a contact sport, as far as I'm concerned. And you kind of have to around here on the Hill...

Honestly, I have my favorites that I want to win, but I truly hope (and wish) that the nominees are not winners in either IA or NH. I think that it's silly that two very small states end up steering the process.

The registered voter population in IA is roughly 1/100 of that of the US population and traditionally only 6-10% of them caucus. I just don't think that 10% of 1/100th of the US determine who should be president, or even just the nominees.

But yes, MSNBC from now until we get a majority reporting from their 99 counties.

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Cpt, what do you do exactly?

Well, a caucus is a different form of primary election. In IA, each party does it differently.

The Republicans have a secret ballot process whereas the Dems have open debate with declared supporters.

So what will happen in the Dem ones, is that people will show up, and at 7pm, pledged caucus goers will get up and try to persuade the others there to vote for their candidate. They take a first round vote, and anyone who does not get 15% of the vote will be automatically knocked out. Those candidates sometimes say (as Kucinich did yesterday or the day before) 'if i get knocked out in the first round, I want my supporters to vote for X,' which Kucinich said to do both last time and this time. This time he asked them to vote for Obama. Caucus goers do have 2nd choice/round picks. So then the second round begins, you are now going to have everyone voting for just those that got above the 15% mark in the first round-- tonight, that would presumably be Obama, Edwards, Clinton and maybe Biden.

After the second round votes are taken, those percentages are sent off to the party HQ.

So, I would say at about 10pm EST, we will start to see results reported.

This CNN article is a pretty good explaination too.

Hope that all made sense...

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Posted by cookiemonster

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Posted by Cpt2007

Oh, yeah. It's a contact sport, as far as I'm concerned. And you kind of have to around here on the Hill...

Honestly, I have my favorites that I want to win, but I truly hope (and wish) that the nominees are not winners in either IA or NH. I think that it's silly that two very small states end up steering the process.

The registered voter population in IA is roughly 1/100 of that of the US population and traditionally only 6-10% of them caucus. I just don't think that 10% of 1/100th of the US determine who should be president, or even just the nominees.

But yes, MSNBC from now until we get a majority reporting from their 99 counties.

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Cpt, what do you do exactly?

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I work in the Senate as an Admin. Director, which is mostly office management, but also responsible for Ethics and Rules compliance, HR, and the usual herding cats.

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Posted by Cpt2007

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Posted by cookiemonster

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Posted by Cpt2007

Oh, yeah. It's a contact sport, as far as I'm concerned. And you kind of have to around here on the Hill...

Honestly, I have my favorites that I want to win, but I truly hope (and wish) that the nominees are not winners in either IA or NH. I think that it's silly that two very small states end up steering the process.

The registered voter population in IA is roughly 1/100 of that of the US population and traditionally only 6-10% of them caucus. I just don't think that 10% of 1/100th of the US determine who should be president, or even just the nominees.

But yes, MSNBC from now until we get a majority reporting from their 99 counties.

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Cpt, what do you do exactly?

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I work in the Senate as an Admin. Director, which is mostly office management, but also responsible for Ethics and Rules compliance, HR, and the usual herding cats.

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Yay another fed

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Posted by cookiemonster

Yay another fed

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How about you? Are you in the Exec Branch?

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Posted by Cpt2007

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Posted by cookiemonster

Yay another fed

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How about you? Are you in the Exec Branch?

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yup yup.

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Posted by cookiemonster

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Posted by Cpt2007

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Posted by cookiemonster

Yay another fed

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How about you? Are you in the Exec Branch?

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yup yup.

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fab!

If you are interested, just FYI I live in Ames, Iowa which is 30 miles north of Des Moines and I would say 70% of this voting sector will be caucusing tonight, It should be fun! I don't really understand why the first state sets a precedent but it does seem too, that's for sure. I say screw the first states opinion and go with who you want when the primaries come to your town ... As long as you are voting Democrat that is heehee

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Posted by mtegay

If you are interested, just FYI I live in Ames, Iowa which is 30 miles north of Des Moines and I would say 70% of this voting sector will be caucusing tonight, It should be fun! I don't really understand why the first state sets a precedent but it does seem too, that's for sure. I say screw the first states opinion and go with who you want when the primaries come to your town ... As long as you are voting Democrat that is heehee

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Are you caucusing tonight? If so I would love to hear your impressions.

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Posted by Cpt2007

Well, a caucus is a different form of primary election. In IA, each party does it differently.

The Republicans have a secret ballot process whereas the Dems have open debate with declared supporters.

So what will happen in the Dem ones, is that people will show up, and at 7pm, pledged caucus goers will get up and try to persuade the others there to vote for their candidate. They take a first round vote, and anyone who does not get 15% of the vote will be automatically knocked out. Those candidates sometimes say (as Kucinich did yesterday or the day before) 'if i get knocked out in the first round, I want my supporters to vote for X,' which Kucinich said to do both last time and this time. This time he asked them to vote for Obama. Caucus goers do have 2nd choice/round picks. So then the second round begins, you are now going to have everyone voting for just those that got above the 15% mark in the first round-- tonight, that would presumably be Obama, Edwards, Clinton and maybe Biden.

After the second round votes are taken, those percentages are sent off to the party HQ.

So, I would say at about 10pm EST, we will start to see results reported.

This CNN article is a pretty good explaination too.

Hope that all made sense...

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Thank You

of course it isn't an accurate representation.

historically, the rural consituents of the US have always had a disproportionate say. It started with the consituttion and the formation of the senate. Why should wyoming have as much of a vote as california??? The caucuses just gives yet another nod to the white protestant rural folk. The rest of us be d@mned!

NBC is calling it for Huckabee too.

Anyone else have CSPAN on? (probably a dumb question) they were showing a Dem caucus precinct live in Des Moines. Fascinating. Yes, I know I'm a dork.

frankly, I don't take these caucuses too seriously. I'm actually pretty disappointed in all the candidates at this point. I don't care, as long as Guiliani is kicked out of the running (don't like the company he keeps... they tend to be 'ethically challenged' ).

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Posted by portjeffbride

frankly, I don't take these caucuses too seriously. I'm actually pretty disappointed in all the candidates at this point. I don't care, as long as Guiliani is kicked out of the running (don't like the company he keeps... they tend to be 'ethically challenged' ).

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Honestly, I don't think there is much chance for Guiliani. If NH is any kind of guide, the more he was up there campaigning, the lower his poll numbers.

Not sure if a strategy of 'throw everything into the big states' will work. We'll see though. Lots of former NY'ers in FL...