Iowa Caucus Day

I had to run downtown this morning and this being caucus day in Iowa, I have to blog about it.

Obama supporters were out in droves this morning, standing on frigid corners, shivering with their signs held passionately up. That's cool. No other candidate has that going for them.

I personally know a couple of Fred Thompson supporters, but I don't know if they plan to caucus.

I personally know a couple of Ron Paul supporters, and I know for sure that they plan to caucus.

My family and I know other Romney supporters and we're going to caucus. Interestingly, my son had to fly back from Atlanta yesterday and happened to sit next to an important poo-bah in the Romney campaign. How cool is that? We might go to the after-caucus party tonight for a bit, if we're not too tired.

ETC: Tamara, Nick, and I went to the caucus tonight and more people spoke out for Huckabee than anyone else. I didn't speak - those who go aren't there to be persuaded.

Given that Romney fell hard tonight, double-digits behind the Huckster, I find relief in Thompson's third-place finish.

Let's see how New Hampshire shakes out.

Tags: iowa caucus 2008
by Brett Rogers, 1/3/2008 12:20:37 PM
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Obama supporters were out in droves this morning, standing on frigid corners, shivering with their signs held passionately up. That's cool. No other candidate has that going for them.

I took one of those guys--a kid really, couldn't have been more than 25--a cup of McD's cocoa this morning. Obama isn't my first choice, buy you're right, it was cool to see them out standing up for their guy and that guy and others like him make all the damn tv spots and mailings and debates worth while. I think it's that guy's generation that might make the difference in this election.

Posted by Bella, 1/3/2008 2:03:13 PM

I'll be going! As you know, Fred's my guy. (Hey, look at my pin!)

It would be great if Iowan's could have gotten behind Fred like they have for flip-floppin' Romney. I guess that's what 100 million will buy you these days. But I digress.

Hopefully folks won't vote like this is some sort of high school popularity contest, and vote on principles, as they should. And maybe, just maybe, Brett will change his mind ;-)

I know I'll be trying to change a few minds at my caucus.

Posted by Chris, 1/3/2008 2:17:27 PM

BTW, I think Mike "I didn't know I was crossing a picket line" Huckabee probably gave the whole shooting match to Mitt "Robot" Romney with a bow wrapped around it. Good luck and have fun to everybody tonight--Democrats and Republicans! :-)

Posted by Bella, 1/3/2008 2:28:01 PM

The only surprise to me today was Edwards 2nd place finish. Not that it really matters who the Dems nominate as any of the candidates would be a disaster. Elect a Democrat, accelerate our conversion to a socialist country while weakening us militarily.

On the GOP side I'm a bit disappointed. I so want to be a Fredhead. He's the most conservative candidate I see out there. I just don't think he's in it for the long haul. Sigh.

B. Hussein Obama on TV speaking now. I don't think I have ever seen someone sound so authoritative yet utterly moronic at the same time. He really has no clue on foreign policy. He's in the Jimmy Carter class of idiot when it comes to foreign policy. "Authoron" is how I'm going to refer to him from this point forward.

Back to the GOP. For you evangelicals, I guess religion in your candidate means more than conservative principles. I listened to Rush nail a Huck supporter today who tried comparing Huck to Reagan. Bottom line, Huck is no conservative. He's never been one, isn't one now, and isn't going to be one. He may be a nice guy, a decent man, he just isn't a conservative.

Posted by Pale Rider, 1/3/2008 11:40:33 PM

If people keep writing Fred off as not in it for the long haul, he very likely won't be.

Posted by Kelly, 1/4/2008 3:33:47 AM

Kelly makes a good point. I want Fred to do well in New Hampshire, Michigan, and South Carolina. We'll see.

As for the Huckster, "conservative" to some = pro-life and man-woman marriage. That's it for them. "Conservative," to them, is spelled c-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n.

For the rest of us, conservative means restricted spending, limited government, an embrace of freedoms, and Constitutional adherance.

The Huckster is a divisive candidate because he's not a true conservative and he so liberally uses his religion in his appeal to voters. If Republicans choose him, it will divide the party. I mean, Rush is already not on board. That's a big problem right there because the man influences 10 million voters who respect his opinion.

There's a local radio guy named Steve Deace. Every afternoon, he turns Des Moines' talk radio station, WHO, into bible hour. I normally don't listen but did last night while driving to caucus, and he had Chuck Norris on his show. They were poo-poo'ing Rush and celebrating the fact that Huckabee was doing well in spite of Rush. Whether you like Rush or not, he does understand what it means to be a conservative. William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan defined conservatism, and they're his heroes. To my point, Huckster's followers accelerate the division that Huckster brings.

I'll give you a scenario, though I think it's unlikely, but I'll trot it out. Huck's supporters make a big deal of him having beaten the Clintons before. I don't that's too hard actually. Obama and Edwards did it last night.

Further, Hillary is not a likeable person. She just isn't. She's not good off-the-cuff either. I think the Huckster could easily beat Hillary because he is a likeable guy, and Hillary makes people uncomfortable for so very many reasons.

But let's say that Obama wins the nomination.

In that match-up, Obama is just as likeable as the Huckster, if not more so because he doesn't put his religion on his lapel every morning. Obama can dish out a one-liner just as easily.

In that match-up, Obama would win. Easily. Huckabee has a lot of demerits in his record as governor (illegal immigration, raising taxes several times, commuting the sentences of criminals, etc.) The Huckster is a piñata in the general election.

Go Fred. Go Mitt. Go somebody. But if the Huckster wins the nomination, I'm out.

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 1/4/2008 9:20:20 AM

I really don't know what you guys are going to do. I thought for sure Huckabee's gaffes over Pakistan and picket lines over the past week or so would have killed him. If it does come down to Mike and Barack, Brett's right---Barack will win, and thank god, because I think Mike is just...I don't know. Squirrelly is the best term I can come up with.

Although, frankly, I think Barack will win it anyway. The independents and recovering Republicans will vote for him, when they would never vote for Hillary, if for no other reason than they don't want more of the political gameplaying than is necessary. She's likeable enough, especially in person, but she's more of the same. I know it's an overused buzzword, but I think the general public really is tired of the backbiting and is looking for fundamental changes.

It'll be interesting to see how McCain does in the next few days....

Posted by Bella, 1/4/2008 9:37:40 AM

Hell I want Fred to kick ass, win the nomination, then the election. He just needs to pick up more steam. Kinda pisses me off that the media, even Fox news (who just showed a chart for New Hampshire and didn't even have Fred on it), keep bypassing him. Don't they know that bald is sexy? :) Go Fred!

From what I've heard on Rush's show over the last month he has been trying to stay neutral. I haven't heard him say he is backing any one candidate, but I am glad he has set the record straight on Huck. You are right though, he has the ear of 10 million true conservative leaning voters (me one of them).

I wouldn't hand the "Authoron" the election just yet. Oh I'd love to see Fred or Mitt debate him on foreign policy.

I think we need a new term in politics called the "sheep" vote. Those that blindly follow a candidate without questioning how they plan to do what they say they will along with the effect the plan will have. Let's face it, whoever lands the majority of the "sheep" vote, regardless of party affiliation, is going to win.

Posted by Pale Rider, 1/4/2008 10:23:37 AM

If PR continues to call Obama 'authoron' then my new name for Fred is 'Eeyore.' Or maybe 'Sam the Eagle' of muppet fame. I can't help but wonder if people are downplaying Fred because the man himself doesn't seem that excited about running. Or anything, for that matter. Even if he has all the values true conservatives want, it just doesn't feel like he wants the job that bad. Yes, that's probably a girly emotional perspective, but it's not any less valid than the perception that Hillary is shrill. :-)

Posted by Bella, 1/4/2008 12:08:22 PM

Don't worry Bella. I'm sure in time I'll have a few choice words to replace "Authoron" :). Remeber, in 08 the gloves are off.

Too funny about Sam the Eagle. I had to google him as it has been quite some time since I've seen a muppet. Sam kinda has the Nixon eyes and scowl, but the hair, or lack of it, is a ringer for Fred!

Hey last night I heard someone who can out "shrill" Hillary. Susan Estrich. That woman scares me.

Brett did you catch Vodkapundit today?

Posted by Pale Rider, 1/4/2008 1:20:12 PM