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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
I know I am!
The caucus system is so informal and strange, I can't believe elections are run this way, but this and the early primary states will have a big effect on who we will be voting for in November. After 8 years of Bush (I don't care what your affiliation is --Bush suxx), I really want to see a good president elected!
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Posted 1/3/08 10:42 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Maathy317
Grammie's Little Man
Member since 2/06 3235 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
I'm following this very closely. I think this time around people will choose more carefully. At least, I hope so.
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:06 AM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:09 AM |
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DebG
Pick a cause & stand up for it
Member since 5/05 18602 total posts
Name:
The cure IS worse!
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
I am following closer than I ever have before.
I am sooo intrigued the whole process as piqued my insterest.
Soo many issues around the world and in my backyard and soo many candidates right now. I am having a hard to time narrowing down to someone I like.
It's exciting to know that the FL primary is going to be so important to this election.
Perhaps us Floridians can make up for past electoral mistakes.
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:14 AM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by KPtoys
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
I think the short answer is that it is the first step in the nomination process for Dems and Reps. Publicity surrounding a caucus win may influence the New Hampshire primary, and ultimately contribute greatly to who the Presidential candidate will be. Likewise, if someone does very poorly in the caucus, he may drop out of the race entirely.
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:18 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by KPtoys
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
Normal citizens vote in caucuses... Anyone who is old enough to vote in November and a member of the party can participate in a caucus.
edited b/c I hit "post" too soon.
Message edited 1/3/2008 11:51:58 AM.
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:51 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by Kara
Posted by KPtoys
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
Normal citizens vote in caucuses... Anyone who is old enough to vote in November and a member of the party can participate in a caucus.
edited b/c I hit "post" too soon.
Yep, and for Dems you cna actually vote if you are 17. It is normal citizens, it's just a diffrent system thana traditional primary, the citizens get to talk and debate with each other and physiucally separate into groups based on candidate, it's really fascinating. IZ will not switch to atraditional primary because NH is the firsyt primary state, so they would have to go after NH and they enjoy having the influence and the attention of the candidates.
What happens in IA can have a big effect on the subsequent primaries
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:56 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Kara
Posted by KPtoys
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
Normal citizens vote in caucuses... Anyone who is old enough to vote in November and a member of the party can participate in a caucus.
edited b/c I hit "post" too soon.
Yep, and for Dems you cna actually vote if you are 17. It is normal citizens, it's just a diffrent system thana traditional primary, the citizens get to talk and debate with each other and physiucally separate into groups based on candidate, it's really fascinating. IZ will not switch to atraditional primary because NH is the firsyt primary state, so they would have to go after NH and they enjoy having the influence and the attention of the candidates.
What happens in IA can have a big effect on the subsequent primaries
I think for both parties you have to be 18 by the general election in November... so you could be 17 at the caucus, but only if you'll be 18 and therefore old enough to vote in November.
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| Posted 1/3/08 11:59 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by Kara
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by Kara
Posted by KPtoys
Can someone please explain in real simple terms why a caucus is important? Shouldnt all that matters be the primary vote where normal citizens vote?
Normal citizens vote in caucuses... Anyone who is old enough to vote in November and a member of the party can participate in a caucus.
edited b/c I hit "post" too soon.
Yep, and for Dems you cna actually vote if you are 17. It is normal citizens, it's just a diffrent system thana traditional primary, the citizens get to talk and debate with each other and physiucally separate into groups based on candidate, it's really fascinating. IZ will not switch to atraditional primary because NH is the firsyt primary state, so they would have to go after NH and they enjoy having the influence and the attention of the candidates.
What happens in IA can have a big effect on the subsequent primaries
I think for both parties you have to be 18 by the general election in November... so you could be 17 at the caucus, but only if you'll be 18 and therefore old enough to vote in November.
Yes, but from what I ahve heard, only dems allow the 17 year olds to caucus. But anyway, the point was ordinary people can definrtely participate. The problem is I don't think many people understand the process.
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| Posted 1/3/08 12:01 PM |
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bird382
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Member since 7/07 1712 total posts
Name:
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
I read that only 11% of Iowans typically vote in caucuses. Seems crazy that such a tiny portion of the U.S. can have so much influence.
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| Posted 1/3/08 12:02 PM |
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KrisT
Two Boys for Me!!
Member since 1/07 5213 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
CNN Article "What is a caucus?"
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| Posted 1/3/08 12:09 PM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Who is following the run up to the Iowa Caucuses?
Posted by bird382
I read that only 11% of Iowans typically vote in caucuses. Seems crazy that such a tiny portion of the U.S. can have so much influence.
I agree completely.
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.
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. IMO, I think that it's silly that two very small states end up steering the process. But that's democracy!
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| Posted 1/3/08 12:42 PM |
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