Slumber Party

It's a great way to pick our presidents...I'm also thinking there are 150,000 troops in Iraq would would be glad to switch places with me....
*****
Yet we won't let _any_ of those Iowa troops vote by absentee ballot. Rather than just speaking for them, shouldn't we at least provide them an opportunity to speak for themselves? What is there to be afraid of?

But let's not forget that it's not picking the president; it's picking the nominee. Remember, at this point, we're picking candidates that combine executive ability, platform and viability to win the general election. In that sense, the proscess and the 'viability' part aren't so bad. I wish all states had a primary 'second choice' on the ballot. That way there could be auto-runoffs and 'viability' tests that let party members have a better voice on the candidates they like.

I have been through the caucus process before. It does have its merits. And I am thankful for our troops and what they do, and thankful for my opporutnity to vote. The problem is in our 24-hour society, many people have difficulty leaving work for that timeframe.

The caucus process certainly is archaic. However, the one thing that happens as a result of the caucuses is that only those people that are truly involved and informed attend and cast votes. The first in the nation status needs to be in small states. It makes the candidates get personal. If first in the nation was NY or CA, the campaigning would be NOTHING but commercials.

I beg your pardon. It's a great way to pick our presidents. I voted as a registered Republican for George Bush in each of the last 2 caucuses. They were no hassle show up, vote and leave affairs. This time I'm going to suffer through the drill to vote for Obama. If it means I get shuffled about a steamy room, get my toes stepped on, loose my right to a private vote or heaven forbid, speak in public for a candidate that seems an insignificant investment in change. I'm also thinking there are 150,000 troops in Iraq would would be glad to switch places with me....or have the opportunity to do it themselves.

Jonathon, Jonathan, I had been a fan until now. I am an Iowa Democrat attorney/activist, lawyer that will be running my caucus and have trained hundreds of people to do the same. The Iowa caucus is THE most grassroots example of democracy in the world. Sorry that in the age of instant gratification we can't accomodate your need to get it over with quickly. If you hate it so much, quit coming out here. Unless you are a masochist, you don't have to hang out with us.

I agree the Caucus process is archaic. Its also frustrating as my husband needs to work late this evening, so only I can caucus. If it were a primary he could have voted this morning. Unfortunately we are not the only state that caucuses, Washington State is another. And by the way, we are a very technologically advanced state. I don't know why that technology isn't used to streamline this process.

Nanoreid, nice name calling, "cornfed flatlanders." You obviously don't realize most Iowans aren't farmers. We're a midwest swing state that can go either way. Sure, we don't truly capture the thoughts of the entire nation, but neither can Virginia. Everybody in every state wants to have their primary first.

I will be caucusing tonight in the library of my children's school -- right down the street from my house. Yet, the Republicans are holding their caucus in one cental place, not convenient for many on the outer edges of the county. I wonder how much difference that will make in terms of turn out? Most importantly, I am a middle class, college educated wife and mother with a demanding career and active family who will find TWO HOURS (or whatever it takes) this evening to partcipate in something that is so important. My husband and I and our college sophomore daughter will all attend -- and not all of us agree! In fact, at this point with just a few hours to go, I remain undecided. I think I am typical of my neighborhood caucus goer and remain very amused by the pundits, reporters and others who think they can predict the outcome tonight! Do be prepared for a message that our nation needs a significant change in direction however.

nanoreid, must you be so disrespectful? Cornfed flatlanders, what a nice way to refer to the great people of Iowa. We have the common decency to be respectful to other states. I happen to live on a hill, am quite educated on the issues, have a Masters degree, work in finance and eat things besides corn. You should care, we do our research and vote on the issues. We question the candidates and review their records. I agree the caucus system makes no sense, a primary would be a much better way to go. Many Iowans do not go because of the restrictive time committment.

By his last article, and this one i have lost all faith in Alter to tell us any thing important but his own agenda, and that sounds to me, as if he just wants the GOP to keep control, and "stay the Course", as it even profits Alter, what a shame! Important info only needed right here
1. The GOP wants to RULE THE WORLD on the backs of the POOR!
2. The Dems want to RUN THE COUNTRY on the backs of EVERYONE, for Americans, by Americans, in America!
Now the choice is. who has the heart to get it done, and beat any GOP member they got! as we all know by now if the GOP gets another term, the country will have to sell out to China who is buying up all there debt, called the deficit! To continue the body count, and close military hospitals, close bases, and strip the VA budget by trillions! AGAIN! Not the way one would run a war is it???

I am one of the temporary caucus chairs tonight, in a larger city in Iowa and I resent the implicaiton that er are... "fussbudget caucus chair, enjoying his or her moment in the sun". I am a mother of to little ones that works for a large company during the day. I understand that adults can only take so much. I am also only 32 and also think that if we don't create a caucus process that allow us to engage people, especially young people, they will stop coming! I have been planning ahead for tonight for the last couple of days, trying to come up with ways to streamline the process while still being wary of the tradition and history. You can bet that my caucus will be efficent, interesting and productive!

What is it exactly that Newsweek owes to Clinton? I've read three articles at Newsweek online, and so far they seem curiously aimed at pumping up Hillary (even if defeated), drudging up doubt about Obama, and finally, discouraging his likely supporters from even going through the caucus process. You can't possibly believe you'll be seen as impartial to the outcome in Iowa. Your support of Clinton is just too transparent to be taken as serious news reportage.

You can't just vote at the Republican caucus and leave. You actually have to stay in order for it to count. Learn the rules and stop whining about being here. If you don't like it then stop coming. In the meantime why don't YOU stop disenfranchising voters by telling them that it is a grueling process and takes so long. It doesn't typically take that long and you don't even realize that it is over because it goes so quickly.

Is two hours too much to ask of someone on such a momentous decision? This isn't fast food democracy (although newsweak is looking more and more like fast food news coverage). Stumping for candidates and oratory are classic democracy, as much as secret ballots. Caucuses and primaries are apples and oranges. Besides, caucus goers can move to have fine print distributed in lieu of being read aloud.