Months of campaigning come down to final hours in Iowa: Win or loss could determine next President

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

By Mark Preston
CNN Washington Bureau

....After countless visits, dozens of policy speeches, more than $40 million spent in television advertising, and months -- if not years -- of building statewide political operations, the battle for Iowa comes down to one simple reality: In each party, turnout is the key.

A win or a loss in the Iowa caucuses could possibly determine the next president of the United States. That's why the candidates are trying to persuade every one of their supporters, young and old, to brave the biting January cold and attend one of the 1,781 caucuses around the state....

Every supporter is critical in this contest, which historically produces very low turnout. The Iowa Democratic Party said 124,000 people participated in the 2004 caucuses, while the Republican Party of Iowa estimated that 87,000 people took part in the 2000 caucuses. (President Bush ran unchallenged for a second term in 2004.)

The candidates might disagree on matters of policy, but in the closing week of the Iowa campaign they are working from the same script on political strategy. Some candidates rode in buses, while others took planes to cities and towns across this state in 11th-hour drives to give a final boost of adrenalin to their candidacies....

***

On the Democratic side, Clinton and Edwards are battling Sen. Barack Obama for their party's nomination in a contest that has come down to two main themes: change and experience. Clinton is working to convince Iowa caucus goers she has the experience to enact change, while Edwards and Obama preach that she is too much of a Washington insider to bring change to the nation's capital....

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/03/iowa.caucuses/index.html

[Wwagsthedog]

1. Gag

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Sorry, just curious -- is your objection to the post, the process, or the candidates? nt

[Demeter]

11. I Object to the Headline, Myself

It's a little too over the top for me.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. That's partly my fault -- I apologize. The second part is not from the head...

but from the text. I thought it was eye-catching, and added it to the subject line. I guess it's true in the sense that some candidates will be out of the race with a poor showing -- so they will no longer be a possibility as nominee, or President.

[Wwagsthedog]

20. You asked for a response from me about your post.

My "gag" post was not directed to your post or the candidates but to the whole caucus process in Iowa and the big issue that MSM makes of that process. Frankly, I think the whole thing diminishes our democracy and gives a small minority a whole lot more bite than its bark deserves.

[DeepModem Mom]

21. Thanks for clarifying, Wwagsthedog.

As I've looked through news sites today, I've noticed several articles addressing the issue you raise -- a tiny number of people, in a state not all that representative of the country, with one heck of a lot of power in our Presidential selection process. Also, I posted an article some time ago that pointed out how much these early states benefit economically -- not only from the hordes who come into the state every four years, but from FEDERAL funding voted by Congresspeople who want to be in their favor when they run for President.

[4dsc]

2. Its not cold here today..

Its suppose to a balmy 28 degrees today.. Heck, I think I'll step outside and do a little tanning..

[rodeodance]

7. one BELOW zero here in WI--a bit to the north. 2 below in Green bay.

[beberocks]

3. Just great. A tiny fraction of the US voters gets to determine the next pres.

And I wasn't impressed with any of the Iowa voters the media was interviewing. Seemed like some of them couldn't make a decision if their lives depended on it. Of course the media focused on those folks and didn't interview anybody that was actually supporting a candidate based on the facts.

[Bitwit1234]

5. Bullshit....even if Obama does happen to win

what of it...he's not going to win the nomination so stop pissing your pants.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Sorry, Bitwit --

is your response directed at the poster or at the substance of the article?

[central scrutinizer]

8. two small, mostly white, non-urban states

get to set the agenda for the rest of us. Iowa and New Hampshire more closely resemble the demographics of the US in 1908. Low rates of poverty, homelessness, people lacking health insurance. Why are they allowed such a loud voice in 2008? Could it be that the candidates and the media are more comfortable talking to people who resemble themselves? That is: white, privileged, and comfortable.

[bluedeminredstate]

9. "Win or loss could determine next President"

This kind of statement from the press drives me nuts! Why is it that ONE state's caucuses determine the presidency? Why not just add "All voters in other 48 states - NH excluded - should just stay home on primary day" ?

:grr:

[AZ Criminal JD]

10. When was the last time a non-incumbent won the Iowa caucus and

Became President of the U.S.? Don't say Jimmy Carter in 1976 because "Uncommitted" beat him.

[Alexander]

15. George W. Bush in 2000.

He beat McCain in Iowa.

He didn't really "win" but he became President.

Good enough?

[AZ Criminal JD]

16. You are right

I missed that one. My point though is that the Iowa caucus is a poor predictor of who will become President.

[acmavm]

13. Oh for crying out loud. One damn primary won't not determine

the nominee. But maybe if enough people swallow that shit it will. They either won't show up or they will vote for whoever they were told was going to 'win'.

[DCKit]

14. Ohh, Teh DRAMA.

Get a grip woman. They don't shoot the losers at midnight.

Sorry, but I had to do it. DU is on expectation/excitement overload and it's becoming too surreal.

[leftynyc]

17. LOL

You're just what was needed!! Finally a reality check. Many thanks.

[DeepModem Mom]

19. This "woman"? Just posting what CNN reported. nt

[truthisfreedom]

18. Struggling to make news headlines out of a perfectly ordinary process...

Poor CNN. Ratings must be killing them.