Caucus Post Mortem

They’ve come, and gone, and I’m glad. The Iowa caucuses that is. The more it gets analyzed, the more I wonder how long the caucus/primary system will even remain in place. Antiquated? Of course it is, someday somebody will figure out something else I think. Perhaps about the same time they figure out how to make a Presidential election a popular vote only and completely eliminate the Electoral College vote.

These are not things keeping me awake at night, though. I’m a fairly insignificant cog in the political machine. And as a Libertarian, someone blissfully in the “middle”, I put it to my blog readers on caucus day to tell me where to go. (I also explained Iowa’s status as a very “purple” state as are highly unpredictable, our Democrats tend to be very liberal and our Republicans very conservative with a healthy dose of Independents and surging Libertarian base)

For those who are interested (and some of you may have already left this post), I did a little journalism from the trenches…just for you guys! Video Flip style.

First, in Iowa, the caucus day was never intended to be a litmus test for candidate viability. Never. It was supposed to be a day where political parties could carry on about the business of local politics. Get their Democratic and Republican ducks in a row, so to speak. About three decades back, give or take, it vaulted to this event in which to test the waters for Presidential candidates.

With this development, the Republicans changed the format of their caucus to reflect a need for a more efficient system. They have a secret balloting of one person/one vote.

The Democrats are still old school. It’s public. You stand with your candidate and there are several rounds of determining viability. It’s very interactive. And I’m not analyzing that one party has it better than the other, I’m simply stating that the contrast is there.

Thus, my blog readers voted to send me to the Democratic caucus as it sounded more interesting. I took my video camera.

The results in our precinct were similar to the state results. Obama way out in front, Edwards and Clinton neck and neck with Edwards edging out Clinton. I aligned myself with the “Uncommitted” group and tried to watch and learn as much as possible. It was an educational and fascinating process and I’m glad to have participated and observed when I had the chance as who knows when and if the caucus/primary system may change or be eliminated yet in my lifetime.

Here is the video I took, not at all professional or “slick” or very good, I was trying not to be overly obvious about it either, many people seemed a little freaked about being on film and I didn’t want to upset anybody.

In this first video blurb, the chair is explaining that, since viability numbers had been determined according to the total headcount, people are given half an hour to align themselves by candidate.  In our case, 36 people would have to be standing for a candidate in order for that candidate to be "viable" and receive any delegates to convention.

 

In this next clip, one of the guys helping has canvassed the room and gotten a headcount of each group.  In the Democratic caucus, there's aren't machines or anything even remotely complex - you are simply counted with your peers as in support of a candidate.  So I get a sneak peek from him as to how the initial headcount has broken down. In this clip, the Chair is announcing the first round of numbers to the group.  It is determined at this time that Richardson is 9 short and, even with the four of us who were standing in the Uncommitted group, he would not have enough to become viable unless people bailed from Edwards, Clinton or Obama.  Which, of course, did not happen and Richardson did not receive any delegates in our ward. I do have a few other clips of video footage on the same account if you're interested.  I was hoping to talk to someone supporting every candidate and that didn't work out.  And, once the Richardson people realigned themselves, Edwards gained the most of that group with Obama gaining a few and I don't think that any went to Clinton.

Anyway, this post was just intended to be an inside view I hope that my enthusiasm for the process comes across because, it is what it is and I hoped to learn and educate myself about it.  If you want to bash Iowa's placement in the system, you are barking up the wrong tree, because trust me, I have no influence with anyone to change it!  :)

But, I was willing to enjoy the ride!

Comments

[Soccer Mom Melanie]

Wow. That is extremely interesting to me. I'm glad you posted the video; it's very educational.

As far as the Iowa being first, someone has to be, right? I don't get why anyone would be rude about that. We have ours on Feb. 5.

[Former Soccermom Steph.]

That is VERY interesting! Thanks for shooting it and sharing it with us! I bet it was neat just to participate in that and learn what it is all about.

[Linda]

Great citizen journalism! Now I can finally feel like I was there. Thanks for the peek inside the caucus door...

[Soccermom Sandy]

Wow! you are dedicated! Thanks so much for taking us along for the ride. Here in NJ we have good old fashioned voting booths. The "Iowa experience" is completely forgein to me and incredibly fascinating.

[Snowflake]

I'd loved the video. I was extremely hopeful after the Iowa caucus that maybe the country was ready for a REAL change ( which doesn't mean more of the same...) I think we need more purple states and more purple people too!

[Emily]

WOW, that is wonderful! Thank you for the time to take and post and explain that!

[Nancy]

Awesome ... thanks for the tutorial!

[Nancy]

Awesome ... thanks for the tutorial!