Thursday, January 03, 2008

Iowa Caucus

Michelle and I just got back from Caucusing. Mitt Romney won our precinct and I know that he won one of the neighboring precincts also. This was our first time at the caucus and I was surprised at how civil everything was. I peeked in on the Democratic caucus on my way out and it was more like what I expected. There were also a lot more people in the Dems caucus - at least 2000. There was only around 60 Republican in our caucus. Let's hope for the best.

15 comments:

LanceandNance said...

Looking at the polls at this point, it appears that Huckabee is gonna win the state. Shame. I don't particularly like him.

Jess and Jen said...

Yeah, I'm not too fond of Huckabee, either.

Jason said...

Go to www.iowagop.org for county by county results.

Mike and Adrianne said...

I don't like Huckabee either. It looked like most of the people that voted for him said they voted because he had the same values or religion as they did. 44% that voted for Romney said they didn't care about that.

chelsey said...

At least we all seem to be on the same page when it comes to Huckabee. He's kinda creepy to me. Here's another stupid political question for you all: Does the term "caucasing" simply mean voting? Why don't we just say voting? I know you're all wondering how I passed US History in school -- I think the teacher liked me.

Jess and Jen said...

We should let the Iowegans respond to this, but "caucasing" is very different than our normal primaries. While they do vote, those votes go towards delegates, not necessarily candidates directly. I think. It's kinda funky. Or should I say unique?

chelsey said...

So Jason & Michelle would've voted for a delegate and not necessarily for the canidate? If enough people vote for a delegate that is voting for their particular canidate, that's how they determine who wins? By the delegates' vote? Does the delegate have to say who they're supporting then? I know I learned all this years ago, but the cobwebs aren't clearing yet! I guess it's a good thing I don't live in Iowa. I would've ended up accidentally voting for someone like Dodds! :(

Jason said...

Jess is correct. We are voting for delegates. Additionally, the Dems and the GOP do it differently. The GOP causus is pretty simple. We entered a room, faced the flag and said the Plege of Allegience, then the Caucus chair had a supporter of each campaign give a brief speech about their candidate. Finally, we all voted by secret ballot. The votes were immediately tabulated and the results released. The democratic party's caucus is more complex and takes a lot more time. The caucus physically divides up into preference groups (including an undecided group) and the next 30 minutes is spent trying to get others to change their minds. It is a very vocal process. Since the Democratic caucus is an open meeting, I stood at the door and listened for a bit. After that time period, each preference group is counted and the viability of a candidate is determined via a mathematical formula. If the viability threshold is not met for a given candidate, he or she does not recieve any delegates. Again, a 30 minutes period is given so that supporters of any non-viable candidates can pick their second choice. Finally, a final head count is made and the delegates for the various viable candidate are proportioned and sent to the county caucus (to be held at a later date). It is at the county caucus that state and some national delegates are chosen.

Makes you glad not to be a democrat in Iowa, doesn't it? Having said that, I felt much more involve in the political process last night than I ever have.

Papa Doc said...

I still find it really funny that so much air time is given to an event that is so "unscientific." Maybe it's more American, but unscientific nonetheless. They played the caucus as though it was the final vote night. We could see a woman in red hollering out to others to vote with her so I knew this was a room full of Democrats. I agree with all of you that Huckabee is weird and scares the beejeebies out of me. I'd never vote for him.
On a happy note, Hilary didn't do so well. We'll see what New Hampshire does next week.
Mom

chelsey said...

So if by some strange chance Huckabee gets the nomination and it comes down to him or Obama (or worse, Clinton) who do you vote for?

Let's all just move to Switzerland! It's beautiful and no one seems to hate them!

Michelle said...

I was so sad to see that Romney didn't win the state. I really like him and that was confirmed even more last night when a letter was read about him and the way he handled being governor. I just think he is most capable of being President and is the most likely to turn the debt around. Now I realize the US is trillions in debt, but there's always hope to get out and he knows what he's doing regarding budgets and spending and so many other things regarding leading that I don't think any of the others would do well. Plus he seems like an honest man. I just like him a lot. Vote for Romney!!!

Jason said...

If it comes down to Huck and Obama, I will be voting for the democratic ticket for the first time.

Jess and Jen said...

I will, too. But it ain't gonna come down to Huckabee. He ain't surviving. No way.

chelsey said...

I have to agree with you two. I think Obama is the one more likely to try and reach across party lines to solve a problem. Huckabee doesn't strike me as the type to do that. I think we'd end up sharply divided as a nation again (much like we've been for a few years) if Huckabee won. I agree with Jess that Huckabee won't make it to the end though. I would be shocked if he did. Gulianni wouldn't be much better though...

Papa Doc said...

Hey, Jason!

Remember you can write it. Dave said he wanted to be President, so may be you could use his name. He might do as well as Huck or Obama.

What state do you come from, did you say?

Dad Clark