In Iowa of all places.
With all of the handwringing I keep hearing about how predudiced we are as a nation and that decendents of slaves from 300 years ago deserve reparations,
a black guy wins the caucus in 98% white Iowa.

I think it is a great thing that we as voters can be colorblind and vote for who we like as a candidate, rather than how much money they have, color of their skin, gender, ect...

I'm not an Obama fan by any means, but if he can ruin Hillarys chances to destroy our country, than put me on team Oprah!

Hillary.....
Have you ever seen or heard a person that is as inhuman as she is? Good God, I think if you cut her open, sawdust would pour out. (Not you Don!)
Her new soft approach makes me vomit in my mouth.

Edwards, the empty suit. The rich disconected white guy that comes in second in an all white state. It says something good about our country when this happens. VP candidate at best.

Biden and Dodd.
I actually thought they'd do better as they have more beltway experience than all of the frontrunners combined. The voters are obviously sick of the same old beltway retirees doing nothing.

Kucinich,
What happened to him?
I could see him getting lost in the crowds, but his wife should have been visible.


My bet is Obama takes NH as well.

Interesting side note on the Republicans - I just heard the following stat:

Romney spent about $5,500 per vote in his runup to the Iowa caucuses

Huckabee spent about $5 per vote.

Huckabee handled Romney easily.

Let's not get too excited about a "democratic process" that is decided by 250,000 political hacks. The corporate media is still hell bent on force feeding the country prez hilly.

Note the difference in Democratic VS Republican voters...

Clearly more and more independents are voting with the democratic party.

Although I am a big Edwards supporter, it is pretty exciting to think about Obama as our next president. Boy does this country need some BIG changes!

Are you going to stick around long enough to vote, Mel?

On last night's MSNBC's coverage, Rachel Maddow said that the Obama win made her proud to be part of a country where an African-American can win a presidential vote.

I agree.

I also think that it indicates that the Democratic Party vote in Iowa reflected a more forward-thinking viewpoint...a "not afraid to face change in the future" stance.

I think the GOP vote for Huckabee, who has courted theocrats and Christian fundamentalists, is more of a Ronald Reagan approach--more of a clinging to the dreams of the past.

Ronald Reagan was the first presidential candidate to bend knee to the religious right, and when he did he created a monster of leviathan proportions. I believe Huckabee is the latest part of that leviathan.

I don't know if the Obama-Huckabee wins in Iowa will translate into future wins. Iowa, and the Iowa caucus process, is so different than the rest of the U.S.

But one trend seen in Iowa--the massive turn out of young people, and the young voters' extreme concern with Iraq--is extremely important.

I believe it is the reason HRC lost. I believe it is the reason most of the young voters voted Democrat, and voted for Obama over the other two leading candidates who both voted for the Iraq invasion.

Understand, young people are closer to the age of the majority of soldiers being shipped off to slaughter in Iraq. If a draft occurs, some of these young voters may very well end up called up to serve.

The results from Iowa give me more hope than I have had in YEARS for the direction of our country.

Voters turned from--as Chris Mathews said--"focus-group-approved hot-button sound-byte speeches" which seems to be the only type of speeches HRC can deliver. They saw through the tactic, and saw through her mantra "If you want change, vote for me." They looked beyond the promise and considered instead the history of the candidates, wisely knowing that the candidates most likely will not suddenly, once elected, push for change if they have never done so in the past.

I am concerned over the Huckabee win, however. As I've stated in other folders, the Christian Reconstructionists and other Dominionists have targeted the homeschooling crowd with their ideas and learning modules. Michael Farris comes right and and advocates that the homeschoolers be raised to embrace the concept of theocracy and, by stealth, infiltrate government jobs where they can impact public policy.

I don't think the majority of the rest of America will feel comfortable with a theocrat in the Oval Office, and so whether or not Huckabee would be able to continue his victory into other states is doubtful, IMO.

Just some musings on a rainy, windy afternoon in coastal California...

----------

quote:

Clearly more and more independents are voting with the democratic party

I may be wrong in this... But Independents are not allowed to vote in Cacuas. I know they cant in Oregon and Washinton. You have to be a registered member of the party to vote.

quote:

Originally posted by Slabmaster:
Are you going to stick around long enough to vote, Mel?

I vote absentee ballot, did the same in 2000 and 2004. You can still vote as an American citizen, when you live abroad.

quote:

Originally posted by Loganthor:

quote:

Clearly more and more independents are voting with the democratic party

I may be wrong in this... But Independents are not allowed to vote in Cacuas. I know they cant in Oregon and Washinton. You have to be a registered member of the party to vote.

What I heard on the MSNBC coverage last night was that Independents can vote in either party.

quote:

What I heard on the MSNBC coverage last night was that Independents can vote in either party.

I am operating under the notion that your NOT independent if you belong to particular party.

I see from some of the news stories each party runs different rules but both have Party list by area and your check off to vote in the caucas. However, you can register to vote on the spot under certain conditions.

But again.. if your really independent, are you really going to get off your ass drive to wherever you have to drive too, register, and hang round in below freezing weather to vote with the 15% crowd?

quote:

On last night's MSNBC's coverage, Rachel Maddow said that the Obama win made her proud to be part of a country where an African-American can win a presidential vote.

I agree.

WOW! Are you an actual white person who thinks it's OK for an African-American negroid person to hold elected office? GLORY HALLELUJAH, you are truly ENLIGHTENED!

Rachel Maddow's observation is offensive. Implicit in this arrogant comment is most of white America hates black people.

Rachel Maddow can kiss my ass. If you think this stupid observation/assumption of hers is somehow descriptive of America, I invite you to pucker up as well.

quote:

I may be wrong in this... But Independents are not allowed to vote in Cacuas. I know they cant in Oregon and Washinton. You have to be a registered member of the party to vote.

Depends on the state, they all have different rules. In Iowa, Republicans don't caucus at all, they just vote. In New Hampshire, independents can go either way; very fluid.

In Washington State, it's called a "pick a party" primary, so you have to declare a party and then vote for the candidate from within that party only (during the primary, general election you can vote for whomever). It sorta sucks because it really makes it hard for third parties to emerge under that system (as opposed to New Hampshire, where third parties have a greater chance of emerging). I think it has something to do with how the primaries are funded. If they are funded by a certain party, then it follows that only "members" should be allowed to vote within it. It's like this: would you allow parents from a different school district to vote on who will be your school's PTA chairman, or would you insist that only parents who have children in your school be eligible to vote?

Obama supporters came from just about every segment, not just the younger people; although it's my understanding that young people turned out in record numbers. More independents went with the Democratic caucus than with the Republican primary.

I don't think Huckabee will do as well in other states. He got the Jesus camp voters, but that won't sway other kinds of conservatives. Plus, if you listen to what he is saying it just isn't making much sense, no matter how warm and fuzzy it sounds. For instance, his latest blurb about "...wouldn't it be nice if drug dealers, prostitutes and criminals paid the same kind of income tax that you and I pay?" So, what the heck is he saying? I know he's trying to send a message about "fair taxes" but gimme a break; how you gonna tax drug dealers and prostitutes unless you first legalize their professions, then regulate and tax it. And I sure as hell don't think that is what Huckster is trying to say. Plus, let's face it: Chuck Norris is no match for Oprah.

quote:

Originally posted by Loganthor:

quote:

What I heard on the MSNBC coverage last night was that Independents can vote in either party.

I am operating under the notion that your NOT independent if you belong to particular party.

I see from some of the news stories each party runs different rules but both have Party list by area and your check off to vote in the caucas. However, you can register to vote on the spot under certain conditions.

But again.. if your really independent, are you really going to get off your ass drive to wherever you have to drive too, register, and hang round in below freezing weather to vote with the 15% crowd?

I'm also not clear on what "independent" means in Iowa.

When I left the Democratic Party and re-registered here in California, if I would have checked the "Independent" box I would have ended up in the American Independent Party. I don't know if that is still the case or not, but I will find out after the Democratic Party primary because I registered Democrat again a few months ago with the singular purpose of voting against HRC. After that's over, I'm back to "Unaffiliated."

From my recollection of the MSNBC coverage, far more "independents" voted in the Democratic caucus than in the GOP caucus. Also, I distinctly remember them saying that in Iowa an "independent" can vote Dem or GOP if they choose. I didn't hear anything about the "independents" registering at the caucus.

I didn't listen to the THS yesterday so I don't know if he covered this issue. If anybody on gawd's green earth would know and could explain it, it would be TH.

BTW, one interesting consequence of registering "unaffiliated" is that I receive far more polling calls each election than I ever have before. My husband is registered Democrat, and I get way more calls than he does from pollers.

It irritates me that the Iowa caucus has been blown up by the MSM into meaning so much because the Iowa caucus system is, from my California perspective, so screwy and different from any other state in the union.

However, I will give Iowa this: no black-box voting in the caucus.

-----

quote:

Originally posted by PeeWee Returns:

quote:

On last night's MSNBC's coverage, Rachel Maddow said that the Obama win made her proud to be part of a country where an African-American can win a presidential vote.

I agree.

WOW! Are you an actual white person who thinks it's OK for an African-American negroid person to hold elected office? GLORY HALLELUJAH, you are truly ENLIGHTENED!

Rachel Maddow's observation is offensive. Implicit in this arrogant comment is most of white America hates black people.

Rachel Maddow can kiss my ass. If you think this stupid observation/assumption of hers is somehow descriptive of America, I invite you to pucker up as well.

A suggestion: perhaps you might want to explain your position instead of simply flaming a fellow poster?

quote:

...I don't think Huckabee will do as well in other states. He got the Jesus camp voters, but that won't sway other kinds of conservatives. Plus, if you listen to what he is saying it just isn't making much sense, no matter how warm and fuzzy it sounds. For instance, his latest blurb about "...wouldn't it be nice if drug dealers, prostitutes and criminals paid the same kind of income tax that you and I pay?" So, what the heck is he saying? I know he's trying to send a message about "fair taxes" but gimme a break; how you gonna tax drug dealers and prostitutes unless you first legalize their professions, then regulate and tax it. And I sure as hell don't think that is what Huckster is trying to say. Plus, let's face it: Chuck Norris is no match for Oprah.

Excellent point--for Huckabee's comment to make sense, drug dealing and prostitution would have to be legalized. If it remains illegal, it would be like saying "Don't you wish bank robbers should pay the same taxes we do?"

Speaking of Chuck Norris--I never realized it before because I seldom watch Norris do anything, but, sweet baby in the manger, he has a BIG HEAD. And it's square, too.

Wouldn't you know that a Big Block Head would support Huckabee?

------

GO HUCKLEBERRY!!! (or whatever the hell his name is)

What we, as those who wish the implosion of the GOP, need is McCain with an impressive victory in NH. To put Romney away for good. And then Huckleberry romps in SC. And Huckleberry carries the whole GOP South and Ohio and a few other states, too. He gets the nomination!

I think this is just great because Huck is a loose cannon, completely outside of the control of the GOP establishment. Big business is not behind Huck. So, we get to say adios to the fascists and we end up with just the crazies. Sweet!

And, with Rotten Rudy at 3% in IA, he's already done.

quote:

Originally posted by Quondam:
Obama supporters came from just about every segment, not just the younger people; although it's my understanding that young people turned out in record numbers. More independents went with the Democratic caucus than with the Republican primary.

I don't think Huckabee will do as well in other states. He got the Jesus camp voters, but that won't sway other kinds of conservatives. Plus, if you listen to what he is saying it just isn't making much sense, no matter how warm and fuzzy it sounds. For instance, his latest blurb about "...wouldn't it be nice if drug dealers, prostitutes and criminals paid the same kind of income tax that you and I pay?" So, what the heck is he saying? I know he's trying to send a message about "fair taxes" but gimme a break; how you gonna tax drug dealers and prostitutes unless you first legalize their professions, then regulate and tax it. And I sure as hell don't think that is what Huckster is trying to say. Plus, let's face it: Chuck Norris is no match for Oprah.

You are right Lisa,
Chuck aint no Oprah. I saw him cover for Hannity a few months ago and Chuck should definately stick to punching and kicking. A talk show host he aint.
I'm on the fence with Huckabee. I don't like his tax increase past performance in Ark and I'm leary of more of the same politics from him.
I do like his common sense and straightforwardness approach and I'll bet he could even say "nuclear" without screwing it up.

What I think I love the most about the way this is all playing out, is the fact that who the MSM want and have been strongly playing as the top candidates are NOT doing so well.

I mean if you go to the Fox News site (which I admit I do at times, but it truly is awful), you would think Guiliani was the only Republican candidate there was, so what did he achieve in Iowa--- 3%!

And then there is Clinton, she came in THIRD in Iowa, and I just read that she has officially lost her lead in NH to Obama.

Apparently, we the people are NOT being brainwashed by what the media is telling us anymore, as an American it really gives me hope for the future. I was really worried about the zombie mindset that seems to have taken hold.

Perhaps this country will finally follow another direction.

Guiliani didn't campaign in Iowa. Iowa is kind of meaningless.

Huckabee is a Republican Jimmy Carter.

Sawdust: Huckleberry will Rotten Rudy's arse all over The Old South. Pretty good 19th-century party y'all got there.

quote:

Huckleberry will Rotten Rudy's arse all over The Old South.

Would someone who speaks English as a first language please translate this for me?

Oh yeah, sorry- I left out the word "kick"

Anyway, as for the JC - Huckleberry comparison: I can see that both JC and Huck are (or were, in the case of JC) outside the main control apparati of the parties. JC more in terms of more favoring the private sector than most Dems did in the '70s and Huck more a big-government GOP.

Interesting that the Dem outsider runs towards the corporate money and it's opposite in the GOP.

As for the spiritual aspect: yes, JC is a churchgoer. A fairly strong Baptist, I believe. But I don't think JC would deny Darwin. In the GOP, your churchgoers be C-R-A-Z-Y.

This is all you have to know. Carter was a terrible President. Huckabee would be a terrible President.

Let us compare LBJ to Ambrose Burnside and the GOP "Southern Strategy" to Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg VA.

If Huckleberry gets the GOP nod, the analogy would hold as the Dems slaughter Picketts' Charge, all the while chanting "Fredericksburg!"

Go Huck!!!

Personally, after what I have witnessed and read over the last few weeks, I don't think it matters who gets the GOP nominee, the next President of the US is going to be the Democratic nominee.
I would put a wager on that, except it might not be appropriate on this message board.