Well, crap.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/062589.php

Seems Ron Paul has pretty much smoked Rudy in Iowa. With about 2/3 reporting, Paul’s got about 10% and Rudy’s bringing up the rear with a healthy 4%.

Will Fox let him debate?

Mwahaha!

WindCatPond!

Results:
Obama : 37.24%
Edwards : 29.97%
Clinton : 29.56%
Richardson : 2.14%
Biden : 0.94%
Uncommitted : 0.12%
Dodd : 0.03%
Precincts Reporting: 1656/1781

Well, just back from being completely and utterly unable to access this site for quite some time. There’s obviously either a server or a band width issue that has been getting worse as the evening wears on.

Sorry, Christy, that’s not a very nice comment to start off with. I’m just no fan of Obama’s. I’m glad to see young people involved in the political process too, but do they know who they are voting for and why? I’d rather see Clinton out in front, and I don’t support her either in this race.

I’m bummed Edwards is not taking Iowa, but you’re right, good showing considering how outgunned financially he was.

Alas for us Edwards supporters, he is under 30. But still in second place:

Obama 37.30
Edwards 29.95
Clinton 29.54

1667/1781

NBC storyline is very much anti Iraq … draws youth vote with Obama portrayed as the change candidate and drawing them.

McCain came in fourth .. last I saw … hahahaha!!

Yeah. I was lonely out there in the toobless wilderness.

Yeah, I’ve been locked out for about the last 30 minutes. Anyway, it was pretty much over by the last time I was here.

Huckabee to gloat…er, talk…in about 20 minutes.

goddess(es) bless every FDL tech worker.
may the code be with you.

know that you are APPRECIATED.

Results:

Obama : 37.29%
Edwards : 29.98%
Clinton : 29.52%
Richardson : 2.12%
Biden : 0.94%
Uncommitted : 0.12%
Dodd : 0.03%
Precincts Reporting: 1671/1781

212,000 voters acc to IDC in Dem caucus, with 91% counted, immense turnout

Second place for Edwards is a great position. I note that Mrs. Greenspan can’t quite make herself say his name.

Oh, it’s back working.

Hiya.

I have a question.

I know what a firewall is on my computer but what is a firewall in politics and why is it they said that Hillary doesn’t have one?

Results:

Obama : 37.29%
Edwards : 29.98%
Clinton : 29.52%
Richardson : 2.12%
Biden : 0.94%
Uncommitted : 0.12%
Dodd : 0.03%
Precincts Reporting: 1671/1781

212,000 voters acc to IDC in Dem caucus, with 91% counted, immense turnout
compared with 122,000 in ‘04
R’s 120,000

It’s just Iowa….
There’s a lot more going to happen.
But, I agree with zedCarolyn….Crap.
I sure hope there’s going to be a change as other states “give it up” for their candidates, but, I hate to tell y’all just how much I don’t want Oblahma to get the nomination.

Brian Williams, in recounting the past 7 years, said we were “attacked by a foreign power.”

– Edwards was outspent substantially by Clinton and Obama, and managed to stay in very good contention. That’s huge for them — and for his populist message as well. Will be interesting to see how they spin this out — and how much of his message the other two begin to adopt.

Well, it would be a nice start if someone – anyone – in the MSM would notice that there is somebody in Iowa who has placed between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton.

I’m thinking that Edwards is going to have to do or say something *big* to get anyone to notice that he’s even running, let alone running well.

212,000 voters acc to IDC in Dem caucus, with 91% counted, immense turnout
compared with 122,000 in ’04
R’s 120,000

It’s been one of those days for the servers, kids — so sorry about the hiccups. But know we are working on it…a lot.

You weren’t the only one. But I beeen on the Iowa Dem sebsite watching the numbers come in so at least I could see what was happening.

Got no dry sherry, she’s gonna have to settle for Boone’s Farm like the Huckabee boys

Alrite, I’m going to go tell them you are all up here. Goodbye. I may never make it back.

None of them can

Tell us the context of the statement. A firewall protects.

I really don’t care for that Andrea Mitchell…

Mrs. Greenspan explaining Clinton’s loss by saying Leno is more popular than Letterman – i.e. – aw hell, why bother trying to explain Mrs. Greenspan?

Thanks to you, Jane & everyone at FDL for all the work. We really appreciate it.

Who is maintaining the site and what ISP is hosting the servers???
Inquiring minds want to know.

We know, and we’re not really mad… But if we don’t tell you y’all won’t know, right?

amazing how much Mrs Greenspan and MSNBC are playing up that HRC event now is a “manufactured event”

quite something to see … anti-HRC line really strong

The Talking Asses Heads on CNN, particularly David Gergen are projecting that Edwards is done for ’cause he ain’t got no money.

And of course, we call bullshit!

Time for bloggers with press credentials to get in the faces of MSMers and ask ‘em WTF re Edwards blackout. And keep askin’ ’til we get answers.

It was on Olbermann twice. One that Rudy is making a firewall in Florida. And the other that Hillary was expecting a firewall in NH or from NH.

forgive me, but I must vent…. fuck Iowa. They bought the Korporate Koolaid with Obama… a republican in sheep’s clothing, calling union-backed 527s “special interests”… give me an effing break.

I feel just like when Kerry won in 2004.

Donate to John Edwards please… http://www.johnedwards.com

gremlins

The end of the Bush Clinton era. Time for the Clintons to go work for the Carlyle Group and hopefully disappear.

Edwards up on MSNBC

Just spitballing here, but it occurs to me that whoever said that was considering that Hillary has been handed down from On High by the Very Serious People for so long that she has no “firewall” to hide behind to explain a 3rd place showing. Just thinking/spitballing, as I said…

A firewall in this context is a state where a candidate is sure to do well despite early losses. For example SC was W’s firewall against a surging McCain in 2000. Helped along by Rove’s push-polling.

A solid enough win to knock back Obama and/or Edwards.

Na ga hapn

Edwards on MSNBC

Yes, we really want to blab that around publicly because no one would want to know that information for nefarious or ornery purposes or anything.

O.o

Hillary could have input into recipes in the Obama cabinet. But it’s still very early.

I also see a place for HRC and McCain to market a pantsuit line for either sex, and advertise that it will be worn on the 99,000 Iraq bases she’s backing.

Elizabeth Edwards is hopefully not speaking in the past tense…

Results:
Obama : 37.39%
Edwards : 29.95%
Clinton : 29.46%
Richardson : 2.13%
Biden : 0.93%
Uncommitted : 0.12%
Dodd : 0.02%
Precincts Reporting: 1692/1781

Edwards “the status quo lost”

he must’ve been thinking of oz.

Power Point Bullets on Why Iowa is the Craziest Raucus Caucus or Democrats in Demoines Are Completely Crazy

1) In the 1781 Iowa Caucuses if a participation record is set–say as high as 150,000 people participate, this will be less than 15% of all Iowans–parhaps by many. But voting in many states in Congressional elections often hovers less than the 10% mark. So if soldiers are dying for a vote as an example of freedom, they’re dying for 10-15% of the people who actually do vote–and that’s even in Presidential elections when the untracable, hackable Diebold machines are open for 12 hours.

2) The people that vote Democrat have to be willing starting at 7PM to spend 2-5 hours in a caucus which is a meeting.

3) At some of the rural caucuses, no one might show up. No one. But if one voter shows up, their vote will count as much as 100 times more than the votes in a suburban or urban Iowa caucus. They ain’t equal.

4) If you are a caucuser in suburban Demoines Iowa, where the media hovers and says things like “Damn it’s cold in Iowa in January” digging deeply and mataphysically into their political science genius, then your vote will count 1/100 as much or worse than a single vote in Iowa Falls, or Storm Lake, Iowa a meat packing town or Brooklyn, Iowa 60 miles South of Demoines. Yes Virginia, there is a Brooklyn in Iowa too. Bridge, not so much.

4) Republicans aka Rethugs write their name on a piece of paper and go home(provided they can write). But not the Dems, no no no. They meet and argue with their neighbors, and then declare their choice while their neighbors pressure them to choose otherwise. Then by a byzantine set of rules, the smaller groups get dissolved and their members are told to choose a large group.

5) If a larger group does not emerge at a particular caucus, which could happen at many, then, the winner is decided by a coin toss. That’s right a coin toss theoretically with a 50% chance to win if they don’t use a two headed coin.

6) Much of the buzz in the MSM and among bloggers has been who the losers will give their caucuser votes to. But think about it: You’re a Kucinich faithful follower, and he’s not making the 15% cut, so he and his people get the word to you–vote for Barak (mainly because Edwards was caught on tape saying Kucinich was never a playuh even though he’s more closely alligned with Edwards’ points.
How does Kucinich, or Biden (Dodd has said today, and good for him–that he wouldn’t think of insulting anyone by telling them who to vote for, and that he didn’t see how people who thought as much about their participation could be ordered to vote en mass for someone anyway–good point Dodd).

Taken from:

The Slice of the Sliver Speaks

Iowa Caucus Rules

Am not watching TV. Please explain.

Seems to me that Edwards is in good shape but I am really sorry Obama won. Also, what does this do to McCain?

I still say….Beware Obama.

He is not a friend of progressives.

And, what are we?

It seems that the repub establishment has decided that they’d rather run against Obama than Hillary.

Rudi hopes by concentrating on Florida he is protecting himself from losses in sammler states. Hillary hopes a win in NH would insulate her from this loss.

Second place for Edwards is a great position.

Please explain. I am clueless and desperate for understanding.

I thought my precinct’s run on Obamites might be because of the large number of graduate students who were obviously turning out, but it looks like the statewide trend differs only by degree.

Hopefully the pundits will continue the MSNBC line that HRC is losing because of her lack of clear Iraq position … that kind of punditry would be welcome

Go, John!!! Reminding us of what it’s really all about…

1671/1781

212,000 voters acc to IDC in Dem caucus, with 91% counted, immense turnout
compared with 122,000 in ‘04
R’s 120,000

That may be the REAL Story…90,000 more attendees than the Republican’s pulled! Almost TWICE as many!

And Republicans mainly pulled the evangelicals who want to make this a “religious state” issue.

It’s gonna drive more and more Republicans away from the Party. This is beginning to look very bad for the Pugs!

Obama 37.39
Edwards 29.95
Clinton 29.47

1700/1781

What a half assed way to select a candidate.

As I replied in the other thread-
A political firewall is more like the firewall in your car: the engine can burn but the firewall between the passenger compartment and the engine will give you time to get out before you get burnt. IE, plan A for taking Iowa didn’t work, I have a plan B for taking the rest without having taken Iowa. She doesn’t really have that, her campaign was built on her inevitability, and now that it’s shaken with a third place finish in Iowa, she’s got a lot of plan B to come up with.

fucking sheeple, I don’t care if they are students… get a brain!

Those are numbers not bullets.

Results:
Obama : 37.39%
Edwards : 29.95%
Clinton : 29.47%
Richardson : 2.12%
Biden : 0.92%
Uncommitted : 0.12%
Dodd : 0.02%
Precincts Reporting: 1700/1781

I still say….Beware Obama.

He is not a friend of progressives.

Earlier this evening he referred to his “friend, Joe Lieberman.” Need anyone say more?

The Talking Asses Heads on CNN, particularly David Gergen are projecting that Edwards is done for ’cause he ain’t got no money.

Well, screw that. I’m sending him more money, tonight. And he’s getting most of him money from people like me, dead broke.

Edwards is speaking, hitting on the corporate greed and the misery it causes working Americans. Go John!

please tell us what he says.

OK, all the whining about no coverage of Edwards, he’s going on and on.

Edwards needs second place, but at least we know that Hilary is not unbeatable, does anyone have any information on how the second choices broke for the candidates and for whom they broke for?

As much as I’d have preferred John on top, it could have been worse, it could have been Hillary, Obama, Edwards, and us progressives would have REALLY taken a beating in that lineup.

I have been in the It business to think gremlins. Moe like Data base issues or underlying OS issues, but of course we poor peons arn’t supposed to know these things. Sometimes change can be bad and you have to roll back to previous version. Again in could be the servers themselves (crap hardware and not enough ethernet connections??
Just troubleshooting from the evidence I see.
No real snark but the back room guys should learn a lot from a good lessons session, IMHO

Edwards is giving an amazing speech right now…

John Edwards doing very well in his speech.

I just gave John $100… anyone care to match it?

See above. I guess the new thing is that he see’s the vote for change.

Andrea keeps pushing the point that Hillary’s party is “manufactured”… the crap is just endless… every chance they get, they same something crappy and mean…

let it be at this point. Anything to get rid of the Clintons.

Marion proof please or link, that Obama said “my friend Joe Lieberman”

I see it as a very strong anti-Clinton vote …
I’m not pro Obama and hesitant about Edwards
but very glad to see the HRC inevitability shaken

Thanks Jane
I love this
– GOP pundits are squirming about Huckabee. Someone get Peggy Noonan another dry sherry…stat.

I like what I see with Edwards hopeful he can start to raise more money ( I hated saying that) it shows he’s in the for it the long run.
jo6pac

Edwards needs second place, but at least we know that Hilary is not unbeatable, does anyone have any information on how the second choices broke for the candidates and for whom they broke for?

In my precinct, the second choices definitely broke for Edwards. I can’t tell you whether that’s representative of the state.

Hillary is WAAAAAYYYYY more progressive than Obama.

LISTEN to what they say!

In the history of the Iowa Democratic Caucus has an opposed winner gone on to be elected President. The key word is opposed. Bill Clinton in 1992 DID NOT win Iowa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_caucus

The front-runner came in third. That’s huge.

Good idea. We should all send Edwards a few sheckels tonight. He’s fighting the good fight. CarolynU, are you going to do any volutneer work for him in NH?

Thank you Siun and eg and PS and everyone for all the updates. ‘preciate it :)

I didn’t mean to sound negative about what he was saying, just the whining.

Earlier this evening he referred to his “friend, Joe Lieberman.” Need anyone say more?

Feck. I’m already gnashing my teeth. Now I have to go straight to scream therapy.

C’mon people, pony up for Edwards.

I just gave John $100… anyone care to match it?

Well, actually you matched mine from New Year’s Day!

Nope. Have to go with Hillary over Obama if we can’t have Edwards. Obama scares the daylights out of me.

Rut ro, Edwards chanelling JFK.

np — That’s what I figured. *g*

Results:
Obama : 37.50%
Edwards : 29.89%
Clinton : 29.42%
Richardson : 2.10%
Biden : 0.94%
Uncommitted : 0.14%
Dodd : 0.02%
Precincts Reporting: 1713/1781

Andrea keeps pushing the point that Hillary’s party is “manufactured”… the crap is just endless… every chance they get, they same something crappy and mean…

Mrs. Greenspan should, imo, be sentenced to covering the Romney campaign from this point forward…

I don’t have any truck during the primary process with any Democrat who would cross the street to spit on Joe Lieberman if he were on fire. All bets are off in the general.

The amazing voter turnout is fantastic news for November. When more people vote, Democrats win. Regardless of the Prez race, if this trend continues, we’ll be seeing another Blue Wave the Fall.

More and Better!

$$$$$$$$$$ pls

http://www.johnedwards.com

put your money where your heart is…. this is our last chance for a long time.

Matthews is a total fucking idiot.

I’m not pro Obama and hesitant about Edwards

I understand not pro Obama, but why hesitant about Edwards? Do you not take him for his word(s)?

McCain did about as well as Ron Paul. Tee hee.

I bet Hillary comes in third in NH.

Sorry, just going by what my own little shell-pink ears heard. When I was locked out of the site, or I would have screamed then.

Actually, in last night final ads both Hillary and Obama adopted Edwards’ message. Problem will be when the Dem candidate adopts the pubbie messages in the general. Edwards won’t do that.

He just gave a passionate speech as Elizabeth claimed the second place finish in Iowa. Great speech!!!

Am so glad to find others who feel this way, too. As a commenter over at Talk Left said, Obama thinks he can govern based on his “marvelousness.” I’m just not into personality cults. Never was.

Hillary is about to lie like a mofo. . .again.

Had lunch today with someone here in Chi who is very politically astute and very progressive who said the advantage of Obama is that he can be pushed by us, he is more likely to be responsive to pressure from progressives.

He reminded me that we are the change agents, not the candidates – and said that what we need is a prez who will be influenced by us. BTW he was not saying anything for or against Edwards, we were just talking Obama and I wanted a sense from someone who I trust and who knows the inside Chi scene.

fwiw

Outspent 6-1 and he came in second.

Another donation en route to Edwards.

He beat the front runner, despite all her money and fame.
Let’s keep the momentum going!

Kudos to all of you who can watch this. My elderly mother wanted to watch “Without A Trace”. She told me the Iowa results were “Without A Clue”.

What could I say…I let her change the channel. *g*

(She loves JRE.)

I just gave John $100… anyone care to match it?

yup. I’ll match that.

eCAHN, I’m going to try to go over to NH either Sunday, Monday or both.

FWIW, I imagine there’s a whole lot about the set-up of the servers and such that is not public knowledge for good reasons. Given all the evidence of the competence of the tech folks here at FDL, I tend to trust that they know what they are doing. And from previous discussions, this most recent upgrade of the infrastructure has gone far smoother and with fewer burps than previous upgrades.

Thanks EvilDRPuma it seems Hilary is third.

Hil takes the high road

Gore Vidal is saying that the Republicans have already gamed the 2008 election. Hard to argue with someone so knowledgeable on American politics.

I caught a sentence from an earlier blog of Jane’s and it’s a metaphor for a big gap in coverage for the middle class and the poor, for many more common serious illnesses, from an example Edwards used I hope people will pressure whoever does win to make the recalcitrant Congress plug this gap.

“They’re pissed off and they respond to Edwards’ message that you can’t reach a “bipartisan agreement” with people who won’t pay for a liver transplant for a teenage girl for the sake of profit. You’re going to have to fight them.”

I’m with you there, Twain…

Me too, the hokies are coming back!

i could SCREAM about Obama’s showing. i can not in any way trust this man. i’ve said that since day 1. i said it on day 2. and i’ll say it on judgement day.

Yes! Our last best chance! $$$$$$$$$$ http://www.JohnEdwards.com!!!

He was outspent 6 to 1 and lookit what we can do! :-)

The caucus I attended was very friendly. The comment I heard most often is how proud people were with the strength of our candidates.

I have attended quite a few of these events. I have never seen the party so upbeat.

I was surprised by the number of young people in attendence. Most of them were for Obama.

As Sam Cooke sang: “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Tonight was a victory for our party.

Matched you. Fingers crossed.

Matched. Edwards family here.

I prefer Edwards but I could live with Obama as the nominee. I will not vote for Hillary. The Colin Powell thing was a deal-breaker for me.

excellent…. let’s have a huge fundraiser tonight for John….

he’s worked SO HARD for us….

Tweety was whining about Edwards (Mr. & Mrs.) not congratulating the winner, not admitting defeat, etc.

Anybody get the feeling that the MSM is only in this for the blood and gore? Does the phrase “if it bleeds, it leads” mean anything to you?

The MSM punditry is only interested in creating the controversy news, and only if they themselves light the fire.

My elderly mother wanted to watch “Without A Trace”. She told me the Iowa results were “Without A Clue”.

707! Your mother must be a pistol!

hesitancy re Edwards is based on his hawkish stance on Iran and coddling of Israeli interests when speaking to Israeli conference on Middle East … he did not agree to quick withdrawal of *all* troops from Iraq until two days ago, until then consistently refused to state numbers for troops out and to commit to no US troops in Iraq in 2013 …

I watched him in NH last time and was very very impressed but I think his foreign policy does not keep pace with his domestic

Give ‘em hell. Get out the message. And all the best.

M Albright behind Hillary. I may need some Pepto Bismal.

The caucus I attended was very friendly. The comment I heard most often is how proud people were with the strength of our candidates.

I have attended quite a few of these events. I have never seen the party so upbeat.

I was surprised by the number of young people in attendence. Most of them were for Obama.

Tonight was a victory for our party and nation.

As Sam Cooke sang: “A Change is Gonna Come.”

I don’t have a link handy and I’m too lazy to go looking at this hour but.

Obama selected Lieberman as his Senate mentor in ‘04, two years after the invasion/occupation. He campaigned FOR Lieberman and AGAINST the anti-war candidate in the CT Senate primary in ‘06. He continually repeats Republican framing of issues, against the left wing of the Dem party.

So I would wager right now, money that I do not have, that if you go and use the Google you will find numerous quotes, quite recent in fact, where Obama has used the phrase “My good friend Joe Lieberman.”

Same thing in mine

I also do not trust Obama. It’s a Lieberman thing.

Marion — I heard McCain say that earlier from NH when he was talking about his finish in Iowa — he was campaigning there yesterday with Lieberman. I was watching it on MSNBC…if that helps.

Gore Vidal is saying that the Republicans have already gamed the 2008 election.

Greg Palast (BBC) says the same thing.

P.S. I see Wes Clark and Madeline Albright in the rogue’s gallery behind HRC. Color me unimpressed.

Great. Give ‘em hell. Get out the message.

someone on kos said that Johnson county is still counting and it has the univ. in it. So most of those will go to Obama and Edwards

I just gave Edwards $250.

Thanks Raven–a crucial distinction to be sure. I didn’t have a way to upload PP here.

Perhaps, instead of knocking democrats, Andrea Mitchell greenspan would find more personal satisfaction in explaining the benefits of trickle-down economics with gas at 3.50 a gallon.

We are seeing a candidate who’s never lost an election stare her “evitability” in the face. She does not look happy. Hope the presence of Madeleine Albright gives her some comfort. Why would one have that baby-killer on stage?

Obama 37.53
Edwards 29.86
Clinton 29.41

1720/1781

Pepto Bismal. Dismal.

*g*

I watched him in NH last time and was very very impressed but I think his foreign policy does not keep pace with his domestic

I appreciate your tracking. I also have a feeling he’s showing signs of being willing to learn from us, his party’s majority, in a way similar to your comments on how Obama can be educated . . .

I read somewhere and I can’t remember on what blog that Obama doesn’t want or need the netroots. He wants to build his own movement rather than build on ours. For some reason that stood out for me.
I liked him once but that was a long time ago. The “present” vote in IL regarding whether rape victims could/should have their id’s protected sealed it for me.

I hate to say this, because I strongly prefer Edwards, but I thought Clinton’s post-caucus speech was much better than Edwards’s.

Ir’a not a Lieberman thing at all. That’s why Obama’s going to continue to win every primary as he gets ready to win the general by a big margin.

No one gives a flying ___ about Leiberman in this thing. He’s a nothing just as he has been in the Senate. How can such a nothing who is so irrelevant, get so many Firepuppies pissed off?

Unless you are beginning to realize Iraq won’t stop until the day a draft is passed.

Tom Brokaw is very mixed up if he thinks for a moment “the surge is having some success.”

Jeez. The ProCorporate Warmonger and the Dimpled Murderer. Only an Iowa town meeting, though. Camus was right. Start pushing again, gang.

I think that self-same establishment is thinking maybe Obama is a better republican than any of their candidates. Which is why I was a little concerned about all the folks crossing over to caucus with the dems.

Ir’a not a Lieberman thing at all. That’s why Obama’s going to continue to win every primary as he gets ready to win the general by a big margin.

No one gives a flying ___ about Leiberman in this thing. He’s a nothing just as he has been in the Senate. How can such a nothing who is so irrelevant, get so many Firepuppies pissed off and spewing uncharacteristic venom when your best hope for 2008 has won Iowa and significantly?

Unless you are beginning to realize Iraq won’t stop until the day a draft is passed.

Tom Brokaw is very mixed up if he thinks for a moment “the surge is having some success.”

What a half assed way to select a candidate.

That was precisely what I was thinking.

1) In the 1781 Iowa Caucuses if a participation record is set–say as high as 150,000 people participate, this will be less than 15% of all Iowans–parhaps by many… So if soldiers are dying for a vote as an example of freedom, they’re dying for 10-15% of the people who actually do vote–and that’s even in Presidential elections when the untracable, hackable Diebold machines are open for 12 hours.

Well it was actually 210,000 Democrat and 120,000 Repugs. So that’s 330K…which makes about 30% of all Iowans. Not bad considering the freezing weather. Do the troops mind that people who do that vs. watching the Orange Bowl in front of the boob tube are the ones voting? And there aren’t any hackable Diebold machines in these caucuses.

2) The people that vote Democrat have to be willing starting at 7PM to spend 2-5 hours in a caucus which is a meeting.

More dedication.

3) At some of the rural caucuses, no one might show up. No one. But if one voter shows up, their vote will count as much as 100 times more than the votes in a suburban or urban Iowa caucus. They ain’t equal.

Why would urban voters show up at 100 times the level of a rural district? The precincts are standardized by population. Sure the rural folks might have more difficulties getting to their caucuses, but do you have any evidence that the rural people actually show more apathy than the urban voters?

The same is true if a State like California has proportionately less turnout (as when results are announced during election night) than Eastern States.

4) Republicans aka Rethugs write their name on a piece of paper and go home(provided they can write). But not the Dems, no no no. They meet and argue with their neighbors, and then declare their choice while their neighbors pressure them to choose otherwise. Then by a byzantine set of rules, the smaller groups get dissolved and their members are told to choose a large group.

This is called consensus…and it allows people to actually participate a decision even when their preferred candidate is unable to get the necessary support. Many progressive countries and areas are going to proportionate balloting where second and third choices are tallied.Many feel it is more participatory and more Democratic than the old vote and go home method.

5) If a larger group does not emerge at a particular caucus, which could happen at many, then, the winner is decided by a coin toss. That’s right a coin toss theoretically with a 50% chance to win if they don’t use a two headed coin.

Do you mean at the local level? That’s not how it happens in Iowa. Winning isn’t critical…and the proportions of the precinct votes would be evenly distributed, then sent on top the central reporting center.

6) Much of the buzz in the MSM and among bloggers has been who the losers will give their caucuser votes to.

Yawn. Caucus participants aren’t robots. They will support THEIR second choices if they were unswayed by the logic of their preferred candidate.

Huckabee sure likes the sound of his own voice.

I’d love to see a debate between Obama and the Huckabeester. That would be entertainment. I wonder if they’d handicap Huckabee or Romney for that matter with a laptop and google?

I hate to say this, because I strongly prefer Edwards, but I thought Clinton’s post-caucus speech was much better than Edwards’s.

My preference is also Edwards, and I too would agree with you that HRC had a better speech.

My only excuse for Edwards is that he’s been up for 36 straight hours and is probably pretty zonkered. He looked that way to me.

Yeah, the R can have a laptop & a google, but only dial-up service.

We’ve had this conversation before but Obama listening to Lieberman IS a big thing. It goes directly to Obama’s judgment if he is listening and following the direction provided by Lieberman as it so often is sounding.

When Obama repeats the words and mantras used by Lieberman about reaching across the aisle and bi-partisanship and all the other words that mean “bend over, we got another one coming for ya,” it matter a very great deal. It means Obama is NOT a progressive and willing to stand up and fight for people who do not have the money interests. It means he’s just another political hack from the Rahm Emmanuel school of politics.

I just gave Edwards $250.

That’s what I’m talking about. Everyone reading this who supports Edwards, just give 10 bucks if you can.

I matched Booyah’s 100 just now, and this is my 5th donation to Edwards. And to let you know, I live in a rented house, drive an old car, have to cut my own hair half the time, wear old clothes… you get the idea. No savings… when I’m really old I expect I’ll be living under a bridge. But meantime, you gotta do what you can.

Thanks Cristy for being there and for this report. I watched first Tweety and then Olberman (shame we have to share him with the yapping heads, but can’t watch Fox) and observed their rush to declare a winner… although someone sane explained that the count for delegates will be based on more than the raw numbers…I’m willing to wait for the final.

Congrats to Obama who apparently fired up the 17 to 21 yr olds. He gets kudos for this.

Edwards showed well in the face of tons of money spent by O and H…he still has a lot of life left in his campaign.

I am distressed that we (Democrts and Independents all who hunger for the defeat of the Republicans and an end to Bush) continue the Hillary hatred meme. I was still undecided (and still am) but leaning toward her. Hillary’s enemies are my enemies. I don’t like to see invective spouted about any of the Dems. If Obama wants to unite us, I wait for him to say so about Demcrats and not just about getting along with the enemy.

I will be putting questions to him concerning this theory he has that all he has to do is reach across the aisle or the table and they will come running. We’ve seen enough appeasement in the Democratic Congress this year and the response from the Republicans.

I want assurances that these hurtful laws robbing us of our civil liberties and expanding the imperial presidency will be overturned. If he has momentum in the campaign, it will not hurt him to be specific instead of the academic platitudes we hear from him.

Otherwise, I think he has great potential and, of course, I will be supporting the nominee whoever it is.

Edwards is the most sensitive to human problems…he calls out our good side.

And a word more about Senator Clinton. She still has a chance and I hope she regroups and goes for it. I’ve waited a long time for a woman to be elected as president.

Dean was right…the big story is the turnout. Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are all to be congratulated on their super efforts to bring out the caucusers.

I would still like to be at the lessons learned meeting after tonight dust settles and the back end boys sit down and analyze the logs to see what the F**K happened!! Just my IT crap coming out.

I was watching the Statewide results and it seemed that as the second place votes of Richardson, Biden and Dodd were being drawn down they were adding to Obamas lead…NOT creating a gap between Edwards and Clinton, or moving Clinton closer.

That suggests that neither was benefitting from the #2 choices other than Barack. Of course, uncounted precincts were also being brought in while this drawdown was occurring, so it may be that the #2 options were being balanced and exceeded by pro-Obama first votes from the uncounted precincts…

Just as an FYI, you’re not the only person with an IT background who comments here.

Were the campaigns expecting this huge turn-out?
Were the Dem caucusers Repubs in sheep’s clothing?

Who were those people?

And, once again, what kind of crazy people came up with that caucus process? Watching people wander around like animals responding to herding instincts just isn’t humane.

sorry to keep beating this drum… but Edwards is our ONLY voice… the voice of the middle class and the disenfranchised (economially and politically)…

pls give if you can… even $10 as CarolynU says…

NOW is when Edwards needs us most… to keep his run alive.

http://www.johnedwards.com

sorry to keep beating this drum… but Edwards is our ONLY voice… the voice of the middle class and the disenfranchised (economially and politically)…

pls give if you can… even $10 as CarolynU says…

NOW is when Edwards needs us most… to keep his run alive.

http://www.johnedwards.com

Well it was actually 210,000 Democrat and 120,000 Repugs.

Yep and it was written before you and I knew that and those figures still may be under. I have a box that hits the net, but I don’t have a crystal ball.

More dedication.

The same is true if a State like California has proportionately less turnout (as when results are announced during election night) than Eastern States.

Nope, not the same numbers, and not even close.

You’re forgetting or failing to realize, a cop, a fireman, an emergency room physician, a daycare worker in a night center, and many jobs don’t let their people off to caucus, and some get fired if they don’t show up.

and it allows people to actually participate a decision even when their preferred candidate is unable to get the necessary support.

It doesn’t allow them one vote, one person the way the general election was conceived before the Deibold and other machines may have mucked it up, and the way Democratic elections run.

Many feel it is more participatory and more Democratic than the old vote and go home method.

And an overwhelming number of the country who sees those Iowa Democratic rules feels they are riciculous.

Do you mean at the local level? That’s not how it happens in Iowa. Winning isn’t critical…and the proportions of the precinct votes would be evenly distributed, then sent on top the central reporting center.

I mean that this is the rule, and it’s bizarre:

After the number of eligible caucus attendees has been determined, the viabilitythreshold is calculated based on the number of delegates the caucus is to elect.Note: When calculating viability, always round UP to the next whole number.a. In caucuses that elect two (2) delegates, preference groups must contain atleast 25% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This can becalculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.25 = Viability Thresholdb. In caucuses that elect three (3) delegates, the total caucus attendees shouldbe divided by six (6) to determine the viability threshold. This can becalculated by using the following formula:

In caucuses that elect three (3) delegates, the total caucus attendees shouldbe divided by six (6) to determine the viability threshold. This can becalculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees ÷ 6 = Viability Thresholdc. In caucuses that elect four (4) or more delegates, preference groups mustcontain at least 15% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This canbe calculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.15 = Viability Threshold15)Once the viability threshold has been determined, the Chair will announce thatnumber to the caucus.Note: The viability threshold remains unchanged throughout the course of thecaucus, even if attendees leave before delegates are awarded.

At this point the caucus will divide into Presidential preference groups. Caucusparticipants have up to 30 minutes to align with a preference group. If the caucuswishes for more time, it should go to a vote of the whole caucus.When the caucus divides, the caucus chair will direct the various preferencegroups to different areas of the room or different rooms, as the case may be.Note: There may be an uncommitted preference group.18)Each group will then select a preference group chair. The preference group chairwill be responsible for collecting and reporting information from the preferencegroup to the caucus chair and secretary.19)The first formal action of the preference group chair shall be to count theirmembers and report the size of their preference group to the caucus chair.Realignment20)At this time any preference group(s) that is not viable (has fewer members thanthe viability threshold) must be given an opportunity to realign.• Non-viable groups can join with other viable preference groups or with othernon-viable preference groups in order to attain viability.• Members of non-viable groups can choose not to realign, however they willnot be awarded any delegates if they remain non-viable.• Members of viable preference groups are also allowed to realign if they sodesire.Note: It is not allowable to have more preference groups than there aredelegates to elect. If this happens:• The smallest preference groups must be given an opportunity to realign.• If two preference groups are tied as the smallest preference groups, then it isnecessary to flip a coin to determine which preference group must realign.
——————————————————————————–
Page 8
8Awarding Delegates21)When all the remaining preference groups are viable, the caucus chair willdetermine the number of delegates that each preference group is entitled toelect.• The number of delegates to be awarded to each preference group isdetermined by:1. Multiplying the number in each preference group by the total number ofdelegates to be elected.2. Then dividing the result by the number of total eligible caucus attendees(Note: this is the SAME number that was used to calculate viability fromstep 13).• This is illustrated in the following formula:# of members in apreference groupXTotal # of delegateselected at the caucus=# of delegatesto be electedTotal # of eligible caucus attendees• Note: The result is rounded up at 0.5 and down at less than 0.5.22)After delegates are awarded to all viable preference groups, the caucus chair willtotal up the delegates awarded and compare it to the number of delegates to beelected at the precinct.If the two sets of numbers match, skip to item 25; if the number is LESS, skip toitem 23. If the number is MORE skip to item 24.23)If the total number of delegates is LESS than the number to be elected,additional delegates must be awarded to one or more preference groupsaccording to the following rule:• An additional delegate(s) will be awarded to the group with the highestfraction below 0.5, or in other words, the group with the fraction below 0.5,but closest to it.• Observe the following example:Scenario – There are 100 eligible attendees in Milton Precinct. MiltonPrecinct will be electing 6 delegates to the County Convention:Group# of Membersin Group# of Delegatesgroup will electAfterRounding FinalTruman382.2822FDR241.4412Jefferson 221.3211Kennedy 160.961156
——————————————————————————–
Page 9
9FDR gains the delegate because it has the largest fraction that did not roundup.Note: In a case where two or more preference groups are tied for the sameadditional delegate, a coin should be tossed to award the delegate to one ofthe preference groups.24)If the total number of delegates is MORE than the number to be elected,delegates will be subtracted from a preference group or groups according to thefollowing rule:• A delegate(s) will be subtracted from the preference group with the lowestfraction above 0.5, or in other words, the group with the fraction above 0.5 butclosest to it.• Note: A Group cannot lose its only delegate. As long as there are not morepreference groups than there are delegates to elect, a preference groupcannot lose its only delegate.• Observe the following example:Scenario – There are 100 eligible attendees in Milton Precinct. MiltonPrecinct will be electing 4 delegates to the county convention.Group# of Membersin Group# of Delegatesgroup will electAfterRounding FinalTruman411.6421FDR230.9211Jefferson 210.8411Kennedy150.601154Kennedy cannot lose their only delegate, therefore Truman loses thedelegate because it has two delegates and its fraction is closest to roundingdown.Note: In a case where two or more preference groups are tied for the loss ofa delegate, a coin should be tossed to determine who loses the delegate.25)The caucus chair will inform each preference group of the number of countyconvention delegates that they are to elect.Reporting the Results26)At this point, the caucus chair is required to call the Iowa Democratic Party’s toll-free Reporting Line and report the results of the caucus.• A representative from each preference group must be present when theresults are reported. This will prevent any reporting errors.Electing Delegates27)The caucus chair must now read to each preference group the followingstatement from Article VIII, Section I of the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution:
——————————————————————————–
Page 10
10″All caucuses, conventions, committees and Democratic Party officials shall takesuch practical steps as may be within their legitimate power to assure that allcaucuses, conventions and committees shall include: men, women, various agegroups, racial minority groups, economic groups and representatives ofidentifiable geographically defined populations – all in reasonable relationship tothe proportions in which these groups are found in the populations of therespective constituencies.” [Article VIII, Section I, Iowa Democratic PartyConstitution]28)Each preference group shall elect within their preference group, the number ofCounty Convention delegates they are entitled and as many alternates itchooses to elect.• Delegate candidates should be given a brief period of time (usually one ortwo minutes) to speak to their preference group prior to the voting.• The number of alternate delegates that may be elected is not limited. It is agood rule of thumb to elect at least as many alternate delegates as there aredelegates elected. Anyone who is elected as an alternate delegate should beready and willing to step in for a delegate if called upon.Note: It is possible to nominate and elect someone who is not present at thecaucus; however, only those present may vote.• It is not a good idea to elect an individual not in attendance unless thatperson has requested that they be nominated.• If a caucus elects an individual(s) not in attendance, the caucus chair musttake responsibility for notifying that individual of their election.Note: While it is not mandatory, caucuses that elect more than one delegateshould try to elect an equal number of men and women (care should betaken to encourage diversity among the candidates for delegate).If the caucus formed preference groups, skip to item 30. (See items 11 and 12).29)If the caucus did NOT form preference groups, then the caucus as a whole shallnow take nominations for the position of county convention delegate. Refer tothe number of delegates to be elected on the outside of the caucus packet.a. Caucuses that elect one (1) delegate:• The delegate will be elected by the caucus as a whole by majority rule.• Written ballots MUST be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.• Once the delegate is elected, the presidential preference of the delegateMUST be reported to the Iowa Democratic Party’s toll-free reporting line.b. Caucuses that elect two (2) delegates:• Delegates shall be elected by a simple majority vote.• Written ballots may be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.c. Caucuses that elect three or more delegates:• Preference groups should not elect more than half of the delegates plusone on the first round of voting. For example: If your caucus is electing 6
——————————————————————————–
Page 11
11delegates, the group should have two elections for delegates. In the firstround, no more than 4 delegates should be elected. Those delegates thatdid not win in the first round are allowed to run again in the second round.• Delegates shall be elected by a simple majority vote.• Written ballots may be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.Notes on nominating delegates and alternates:• While it is not mandatory, caucuses that elect more than one delegateshould try to elect an equal number of men and women. For this purpose,it is appropriate to have more than one round of voting to elect all thedelegates. Care should also be taken to encourage diversity among thecandidates for delegate.• Delegate candidates should be given a brief period of time (usually one ortwo minutes) to speak to their preference group prior to the voting.• The number of alternate delegates that may be elected is not limited. It isa good rule of thumb to elect at least as many alternate delegates asthere are delegates elected. Anyone who is elected as an alternatedelegate should be ready and willing to step in for a delegate if calledupon.• It is possible to nominate and elect someone who is not present at thecaucus; however, only those present may vote.It is not a good idea to elect an individual not in attendance unless thatperson has requested that they be nominated.If a caucus elects an individual(s) not in attendance, the caucus chairmust take responsibility for notifying that individual of their election.Ratification of the Slate30)At this time, if the caucus has broken down into preference groups, the caucusattendees must leave their groups and come back together as one caucus.31)The caucus chair shall now call for the ratification of the slate of delegates andalternate delegates by saying:”All those in favor of ratifying this slate of delegates and alternate delegatesshall signify by saying ‘aye’” . . . all those opposed, say ‘no’.”

Were the campaigns expecting this huge turn-out?
Were the Dem caucusers Repubs in sheep’s clothing?
Were they all legitimate Iowans or maybe some Illinois imports?

Who were those people?
Are we to expect that kind of large turnout everywhere?

And, once again, what kind of crazy people came up with that caucus process? Watching people wander around like animals responding to herding instincts just isn’t humane.

It might help Edwards if we as supporters do not “talk” about how “out gunned” he was in terms of finances. It might be better to keep language regarding his focus on the issues and running a lean and effective campaign. Remember, we will need someone who can run the country smarter not harder and work to make the dollar go farther. We have quite the debt to get out of. A focus for Edwards is just this concept, “I’m running a smarter, leaner campaign and getting results as I stay on the issues.”

That’s how he’ll run the country.

he did not agree to quick withdrawal of *all* troops from Iraq until two days ago

John Edwards was the first one to say that he would take out all of the US combat troops within the first 10 months. He said he’d have to keep some troops there to protect the embassy, but he is the only one to say he would bring out all of the combat troops. What came out a couple of days ago is that he said he would take out the troops that are in charge of training the Iraqis ASAP as well.

Well it was actually 210,000 Democrat and 120,000 Repugs.

Yep and it was written before you and I knew that and those figures still may be under. I have a box that hits the net, but I don’t have a crystal ball.

More dedication.

The same is true if a State like California has proportionately less turnout (as when results are announced during election night) than Eastern States.

Nope, not the same numbers, and not even close.

You’re forgetting or failing to realize, a cop, a fireman, an emergency room physician, a daycare worker in a night center, and many jobs don’t let their people off to caucus, and some get fired if they don’t show up.

and it allows people to actually participate a decision even when their preferred candidate is unable to get the necessary support.

It doesn’t allow them one vote, one person the way the general election was conceived before the Deibold and other machines may have mucked it up, and the way Democratic elections run.

Many feel it is more participatory and more Democratic than the old vote and go home method.

And an overwhelming number of the country who sees those Iowa Democratic rules feels they are riciculous.

Do you mean at the local level? That’s not how it happens in Iowa. Winning isn’t critical…and the proportions of the precinct votes would be evenly distributed, then sent on top the central reporting center.

I mean that this is the rule, and it’s bizarre:

After the number of eligible caucus attendees has been determined, the viabilitythreshold is calculated based on the number of delegates the caucus is to elect.Note: When calculating viability, always round UP to the next whole number.a. In caucuses that elect two (2) delegates, preference groups must contain atleast 25% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This can becalculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.25 = Viability Thresholdb. In caucuses that elect three (3) delegates, the total caucus attendees shouldbe divided by six (6) to determine the viability threshold. This can becalculated by using the following formula:

In caucuses that elect three (3) delegates, the total caucus attendees shouldbe divided by six (6) to determine the viability threshold. This can becalculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees ÷ 6 = Viability Thresholdc. In caucuses that elect four (4) or more delegates, preference groups mustcontain at least 15% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This canbe calculated by using the following formula:Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.15 = Viability Threshold15)Once the viability threshold has been determined, the Chair will announce thatnumber to the caucus.Note: The viability threshold remains unchanged throughout the course of thecaucus, even if attendees leave before delegates are awarded.

At this point the caucus will divide into Presidential preference groups. Caucusparticipants have up to 30 minutes to align with a preference group. If the caucuswishes for more time, it should go to a vote of the whole caucus.When the caucus divides, the caucus chair will direct the various preferencegroups to different areas of the room or different rooms, as the case may be.Note: There may be an uncommitted preference group.18)Each group will then select a preference group chair. The preference group chairwill be responsible for collecting and reporting information from the preferencegroup to the caucus chair and secretary.19)The first formal action of the preference group chair shall be to count theirmembers and report the size of their preference group to the caucus chair.Realignment20)At this time any preference group(s) that is not viable (has fewer members thanthe viability threshold) must be given an opportunity to realign.• Non-viable groups can join with other viable preference groups or with othernon-viable preference groups in order to attain viability.• Members of non-viable groups can choose not to realign, however they willnot be awarded any delegates if they remain non-viable.• Members of viable preference groups are also allowed to realign if they sodesire.Note: It is not allowable to have more preference groups than there aredelegates to elect. If this happens:• The smallest preference groups must be given an opportunity to realign.• If two preference groups are tied as the smallest preference groups, then it isnecessary to flip a coin to determine which preference group must realign.
——————————————————————————–
Page 8
8Awarding Delegates21)When all the remaining preference groups are viable, the caucus chair willdetermine the number of delegates that each preference group is entitled toelect.• The number of delegates to be awarded to each preference group isdetermined by:1. Multiplying the number in each preference group by the total number ofdelegates to be elected.2. Then dividing the result by the number of total eligible caucus attendees(Note: this is the SAME number that was used to calculate viability fromstep 13).• This is illustrated in the following formula:# of members in apreference groupXTotal # of delegateselected at the caucus=# of delegatesto be electedTotal # of eligible caucus attendees• Note: The result is rounded up at 0.5 and down at less than 0.5.22)After delegates are awarded to all viable preference groups, the caucus chair willtotal up the delegates awarded and compare it to the number of delegates to beelected at the precinct.If the two sets of numbers match, skip to item 25; if the number is LESS, skip toitem 23. If the number is MORE skip to item 24.23)If the total number of delegates is LESS than the number to be elected,additional delegates must be awarded to one or more preference groupsaccording to the following rule:• An additional delegate(s) will be awarded to the group with the highestfraction below 0.5, or in other words, the group with the fraction below 0.5,but closest to it.• Observe the following example:Scenario – There are 100 eligible attendees in Milton Precinct. MiltonPrecinct will be electing 6 delegates to the County Convention:Group# of Membersin Group# of Delegatesgroup will electAfterRounding FinalTruman382.2822FDR241.4412Jefferson 221.3211Kennedy 160.961156
——————————————————————————–
Page 9
9FDR gains the delegate because it has the largest fraction that did not roundup.Note: In a case where two or more preference groups are tied for the sameadditional delegate, a coin should be tossed to award the delegate to one ofthe preference groups.24)If the total number of delegates is MORE than the number to be elected,delegates will be subtracted from a preference group or groups according to thefollowing rule:• A delegate(s) will be subtracted from the preference group with the lowestfraction above 0.5, or in other words, the group with the fraction above 0.5 butclosest to it.• Note: A Group cannot lose its only delegate. As long as there are not morepreference groups than there are delegates to elect, a preference groupcannot lose its only delegate.• Observe the following example:Scenario – There are 100 eligible attendees in Milton Precinct. MiltonPrecinct will be electing 4 delegates to the county convention.Group# of Membersin Group# of Delegatesgroup will electAfterRounding FinalTruman411.6421FDR230.9211Jefferson 210.8411Kennedy150.601154Kennedy cannot lose their only delegate, therefore Truman loses thedelegate because it has two delegates and its fraction is closest to roundingdown.Note: In a case where two or more preference groups are tied for the loss ofa delegate, a coin should be tossed to determine who loses the delegate.25)The caucus chair will inform each preference group of the number of countyconvention delegates that they are to elect.Reporting the Results26)At this point, the caucus chair is required to call the Iowa Democratic Party’s toll-free Reporting Line and report the results of the caucus.• A representative from each preference group must be present when theresults are reported. This will prevent any reporting errors.Electing Delegates27)The caucus chair must now read to each preference group the followingstatement from Article VIII, Section I of the Iowa Democratic Party Constitution:
——————————————————————————–
Page 10
10″All caucuses, conventions, committees and Democratic Party officials shall takesuch practical steps as may be within their legitimate power to assure that allcaucuses, conventions and committees shall include: men, women, various agegroups, racial minority groups, economic groups and representatives ofidentifiable geographically defined populations – all in reasonable relationship tothe proportions in which these groups are found in the populations of therespective constituencies.” [Article VIII, Section I, Iowa Democratic PartyConstitution]28)Each preference group shall elect within their preference group, the number ofCounty Convention delegates they are entitled and as many alternates itchooses to elect.• Delegate candidates should be given a brief period of time (usually one ortwo minutes) to speak to their preference group prior to the voting.• The number of alternate delegates that may be elected is not limited. It is agood rule of thumb to elect at least as many alternate delegates as there aredelegates elected. Anyone who is elected as an alternate delegate should beready and willing to step in for a delegate if called upon.Note: It is possible to nominate and elect someone who is not present at thecaucus; however, only those present may vote.• It is not a good idea to elect an individual not in attendance unless thatperson has requested that they be nominated.• If a caucus elects an individual(s) not in attendance, the caucus chair musttake responsibility for notifying that individual of their election.Note: While it is not mandatory, caucuses that elect more than one delegateshould try to elect an equal number of men and women (care should betaken to encourage diversity among the candidates for delegate).If the caucus formed preference groups, skip to item 30. (See items 11 and 12).29)If the caucus did NOT form preference groups, then the caucus as a whole shallnow take nominations for the position of county convention delegate. Refer tothe number of delegates to be elected on the outside of the caucus packet.a. Caucuses that elect one (1) delegate:• The delegate will be elected by the caucus as a whole by majority rule.• Written ballots MUST be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.• Once the delegate is elected, the presidential preference of the delegateMUST be reported to the Iowa Democratic Party’s toll-free reporting line.b. Caucuses that elect two (2) delegates:• Delegates shall be elected by a simple majority vote.• Written ballots may be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.c. Caucuses that elect three or more delegates:• Preference groups should not elect more than half of the delegates plusone on the first round of voting. For example: If your caucus is electing 6
——————————————————————————–
Page 11
11delegates, the group should have two elections for delegates. In the firstround, no more than 4 delegates should be elected. Those delegates thatdid not win in the first round are allowed to run again in the second round.• Delegates shall be elected by a simple majority vote.• Written ballots may be used. Note: All ballots must be signed.Notes on nominating delegates and alternates:• While it is not mandatory, caucuses that elect more than one delegateshould try to elect an equal number of men and women. For this purpose,it is appropriate to have more than one round of voting to elect all thedelegates. Care should also be taken to encourage diversity among thecandidates for delegate.• Delegate candidates should be given a brief period of time (usually one ortwo minutes) to speak to their preference group prior to the voting.• The number of alternate delegates that may be elected is not limited. It isa good rule of thumb to elect at least as many alternate delegates asthere are delegates elected. Anyone who is elected as an alternatedelegate should be ready and willing to step in for a delegate if calledupon.• It is possible to nominate and elect someone who is not present at thecaucus; however, only those present may vote.It is not a good idea to elect an individual not in attendance unless thatperson has requested that they be nominated.If a caucus elects an individual(s) not in attendance, the caucus chairmust take responsibility for notifying that individual of their election.Ratification of the Slate30)At this time, if the caucus has broken down into preference groups, the caucusattendees must leave their groups and come back together as one caucus.31)The caucus chair shall now call for the ratification of the slate of delegates andalternate delegates by saying:”All those in favor of ratifying this slate of delegates and alternate delegatesshall signify by saying ‘aye’” . . . all those opposed, say ‘no’.”

Interesting if Secretary Albright standing behind HRC supports HRC’s agenda and her votes in the Senate, to continue the rate of Iraq Dover Coffins and the fiasco, because that’s not what she tells people in person at her book signings.

I think with 12 months to fuck things up much further, Bush will enmesh significant troops in Iraq long after he has retired to that great Texas ranch in the sky.

Well klynn, I hear what you are saying. And yet to get his message out, he needs financial backing. From us folks. And this seems a good place to drum up that support.

In general, though, no; I don’t focus on Edwards’ financial positioning.

I have tremendous admiration for Edwards, and his wife, but he is (whether it is fair or right or wrong is a big question) accepting matching funds and going to be really pressed for funds in the next several states’ primaries and caucuses.

Just stay tuned to the blogs and the papers, and you will get plenty of analysis to keep you busy.

I hate to say this, because I strongly prefer Edwards, but I thought Clinton’s post-caucus speech was much better than Edwards’s.

My preference is also Edwards, and I too would agree with you that HRC had a better speech.

That is interesting. What I heard was her taking all of Edwards’ talkingpoints/themes – middle class, etc.

I just sent him $100 which I can’t afford – but we have to support him. Wish I had a million to give him. Hope some can.

If anyone thinks that Huck winning Iowa is “bad” news, they need to climb back on the turnip truck.

It is a pure delight. :o)

For too long, the good, god-fearing, americans who attest to their piety by handling large North American pit vipers, have been denied a decent choice.

Now, happily enough, they have one. What could be fairer? :o)

(Coulter! You and Limbaugh and the rest of the REAL republicans, shut the fuck up with all your bitching! :o) )