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) )

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.

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

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.
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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
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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:
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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
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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’.”

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.

That’s how he’ll run the country.