Slumber Party

There is no reason to dis the democratic party. Everyone of us had a decision at 18 if we wanted to be democratic or republican. So instead of sitting there dissing the democratic party why don't you re-think something that is a little more important...urging the people that don't vote, TO vote. So then at least they would actually have the right to sit and complain about our president, if they wanted to.

Doesn't appear it's hurting Obama. Here are the results from Iowa at the moment:
http://schlerplotti.typepad.com/quantworks/2008/01/trended-democra.html

Doesn't appear it's hurting Obama. Here are the results from Iowa at the moment:
http://schlerplotti.typepad.com/quantworks/2008/01/trended-democra.html

Funny I read this soon after expressing to a friend that man, I wish we caucused in my state. Primaries are so boring - walk in, walk out, no interaction, no second vote. Whatever. I sometimes turn out for them. But caucusing?? That sounds worth getting a sitter - the opportunity to interact with other democratic voters, the freedom to pick the candidate I really like who will likely lose while getting to dicuss the merits of alternate candidates with members of my community. So the process is slow, it sounds like a great political exercise with others to whom the issues and election actually matter. Thanks so much for making me feel like a nerd in thinking a caucus sounds like an excellent way to spend an evening, lol.

Forget the sophmoric word; collegiate references aside, I had wished to hear - especially in Iowa, some soundbite as to how the vast acreage of farmland could equate into America being less dependent upon foreign energy sources vis-a-vis ethanol from corn. Or wind turbines directly feeding into nearby grids. Or a multitude of other viable, green resources. Not one word surfaced to highight just how much Iowa could conceivably play a tremendous role as a energy provider for our Nation, not just some expansive feedlot with miles of wheat in between. We have already missed the ship - JMurph

The Iowa caucuses are not the key to anything but the vote of a few (8%) Iowans. Everyone in the US deserves the right to an equal vote. Let's stop this crazy, unfair primary system and have a real primary where everyone votes on the same day.

Jonathan,

I wonder if you could factor in the sophmoric way that the press corp handles these Iowa caucuses. For an understanding of what I'm getting at try this link:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/03/hillary_bus/index.html

I think Glen Greenwald has it right when he points out that the press corp dynamic fails to serve the people of this country. You and the rest of the press corp create your own "village" bubble and let the personal damage what should be informative reporting on serious aspects of each of the candidate's campaigns.

Interested in doing a posting on this? Or would that make you an outsider with your fellow reporters in Iowa and DC?

Regards,

Patrick in Pasadena

Jonathan,

I wonder if you could factor in the sophmoric way that the press corp handles these Iowa caucuses. For an understanding of what I'm getting at try this link:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/03/hillary_bus/index.html

I think Glen Greenwald has it right when he points out that the press corp dynamic fails to serve the people of this country. You and the rest of the press corp create your own "village" bubble and let the personal damage what should be informative reporting on serious aspects of each of the candidate's campaigns.

Interested in doing a posting on this? Or would that make you an outsider with your fellow reporters in Iowa and DC?

Regards,

Patrick in Pasadena

go hillary, obama is loser

I have firsthand experience with the caucus process, like making sausage it???s not a pretty sight but somewhat interesting for those involved???it brings people together in a public place where you have to act somewhat like a community???it is an open (very open) process but requires patience among its participants???it Is the patient who persevere and ultimately have the best chance do their best for the candidate of their choice. It is really democracy at its best (and therefore messiest) and I would hate to see it totally go away in favor of electronic balloting in the comfort of our laptops (for those who have them???there is always some discriminatory aspect in democracy but an electorate that is responsible from top to bottom and side to side will overcome such things as, working the night shift or worse the Orange Bowl). Don???t blame Iowans???blame the media for the hype it was never meant to be.

RE: "Comment: You leave those troops right were they are. They are doing a job, killing all the people that you are afraid of. I mean after all they are soldiers are they not? Did they not sign up for that job of their own free will?"

Let us not forget that some of these kids that we feel are old enough to die for their country can't even buy tobacco or liquor. Too young for dat! Add to these warriors are the illegals that we allow entry to the armed forces that after their service can become citizens. Very Roman, I dare say ... as is our imperialism.

Not to forget the massive amount of pure unadulterated mercenaries like Black Hawk are immune to near any review by either the military or by the Iraqi govt.

When the Romans occupied countries they at least stole the gold and the wheat, we simply spend a trillion a year to make our arms merchants and Halliburton???s richer. Does anyone even remember the cold war bonus that we would have when it ended?

Ten trillion in debt that our kids will inherit, while some of the richest of us get tax credits _ _ _ way to go America.

Secateur

The ghost print suggested that I wasn't logged in, so I didn't quite finish.
This primary and ghastly electoral system need to be scrapped. The editor did not mention the super-delegates that finally participate in the picking of the state electors. These often equal and sometimes exceed those elected by the caucus debacle. In Montana it is even more anti-democratic.

In the final election I also propose being able to vote 1,2,3,4 and to be able to pick a Democrat, Rebublican or Independent as I see fit to run the country. It might create a split executive, but this country seemed to bumble along quite nicely allowing such outcomes. This Democratic or Republican only choice is rather a recent invention and exists primarily to prevent third parties.

IMO we strongly need a third party!

Secateur

As a former caucus chair and a state delegate I finally quit. In WA. state the procedure is much the same for the Republicans as well. This is an old boys network that prevent spoilers from taking over from the state run political machine. It is totally undemocratic and the last person left standing often does not reflect the original counts. Four years ago Kucinich and Wesley Clark were so eliminated. What the editor does not mention is that those delegates then go on to another regional caucus were the 15 percent rule continues. Small counties and or rural areas usually succumb to the powerful numbers of the urban centers. By the time you get to Seattle, most of eastern W A. or my Olympic Peninsula delegates have been eliminated.
Same for the resolutions!

I would much prefer an open vote with a first and second choice being allowed Points being given for first and less for second place. The winner is the one with the highest toal.

Secateur