AP:
A wide-open race in both parties sparked a record turnout Thursday in Iowa's caucuses, far exceeding previous contests.
Projections showed a turnout of 220,588 for Democrats, compared to 124,000 who participated in 2004. Most projections had estimated turnout would be about 150,000.
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"Democrats Have Massive Turn Out In Iowa"??? - GET REAL, HUFFPO!
Anyone with a brain and IQ greater than their shoe size realizes that the corn-farmer caucuses are a complete perversion of democracy. The maple-sap-sucker "first" primary is no better. The MSM hysteria over these unrepresentative state actions is disgusting.
To put the Iowa caucuses in perspective, consider the fact that the 200,000 Democratic caucus participants represent only 10% of the total registered voters in Iowa. Furthermore, these Democrat participants represent merely 0.16% of the total votes cast for president in 2004. Anybody familiar with opinion surveys would consider the outcome in Iowa to be too small and insignificant (on a national scale) to have any value.
It is best for any American that believes in the one-person-one-vote concept of democracy to ignore these charades - which are only means for these loser states to get money and misguided attention - do their own homework on the candidates and then do their best to make up their own minds.
Thank you, Democrat and Independent Iowans.
THANK YOU!
Many here don't seem to appreciate exactly what this means.
It shows an invigorated Democratic base. In a state that has voted Republican consistently, it did 2:1 Democratic in the caucus.
Much more important,MUCH MORE, is the fact that a quarter of the voters yesterday were 18-30. That demographic self-identifies as Democratic twice as much as Republican. This cohort if it gets out and votes, will deliver the next 4 or 5 Democratic presidents.
If they get off their asses, it will annihilate the Republican party for a generation.
Yeah, a ''massive'' dumb turnout.
Iowa's caucus just doesn't mean a thing.
I'm glad turnout was higher.
But what if you were stationed overseas or had to work at night? These caucuses are a lousy way to pick a president.
However, the fact that turnout was so sharply up bodes well for the Dems. Iowa has a very good chance of going blue in November.
Bill says it's a roll of the dice
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Old Lady Luck.....c
This doesn't bode well for entrenched democrats who have been siding with the republicans either. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid could see a primary take over of thier seats.
Thank you Iowa for turning out!
"Massive" turnout - are you nuts?
Anyone with a brain and IQ greater than their shoe size realizes that the corn-farmer caucuses are a complete perversion of democracy. The maple-sap-sucker "first" primary is no better.
To put the Iowa caucuses in perspective, consider the fact that the 200,00 Democratic caucus participants represent only 10% of the total registered voters in Iowa. Furthermore, these Democrat participants represent merely 0.0016% of the total votes cast for president in 2004. Anybody familiar with opinion surveys would consider the outcome in Iowa to be too small and insignificant (on a national scale) to have any value.
It is best for Americans that believe in the one-person-one-vote concept of democracy to ignore these charades - which are only means for these loser states to get money and misguided attention - do their own homework on the candidates and then do their best to make up their own minds.
It's mice that the Dems. have choices among candidates (even in the general field) whom they can feel comfortable and/or live with. I like that!
On the other hand, the Rep. candidate named "None of the Above" would undoubtedly be the likely primary winner and eventually the candidate, possibly even becoming President! So many bad choices, oh who, who, who to pick, and whom should I vote for???
I think that everyone is overlooking the big picture while pontificating on the individual candidate's post Iowa position.
This is the beginning of the end of tyranny in the United States. The incumbent Republicans in either house and those that are up for re-election in '08 are pissing their pantaloons right now.
The next session of Congress beginning in Jan 08, I believe we will see a big change in the "obstructionist" party. The Republican leaders have to be worried that they will no longer be able to control their minions.
It is about the strength of the people coming out on one night to slap the shit out of the Republicans. The lily white Iowans not only voted in record numbers but they also voted/caucused for a black Democrat. In my book that is not only a bitch slap but a knee to the groin of the Right as well.
I think we are going to get a lot more "veto-proof" legislation through this year. The strategy the Republicans deployed to obstruct the Democrats and then call the Democratic Congress a "do nothing Congress" backfired big time.
Thank you Iowa, you may have just saved America.
I am also going to mention the fact that Dennis Kucinich was right again - to throw any of his caucusers to the Obama camp, proving again he is a man who knows what is going on.
Strength through Peace, it isn't just a slogan anymore, it is a possibility and so is impeachment.
I believe that most Americans are truly upset by what this country has become. Thus, we see massive voter turnout by the Dems. The Rep. candidates are not far enough reaching and wouldn't change much of anything. They can't fully break with an administration that has been on a slash and burn agenda for the past 7 years, laying America to waste. Edwards and Obama are seen as representing real change while Hillary represents moderate change and somewhat preservation of the status quo.
Maybe Nancy & Harry will leave quietly if the establishment pushes it. Iowa has again rejected the establishment as the voters did in 2006. It looks like her Hillaryship will need both a massive, through make over & a miracle to stay in this race. This might be a good time for her to focas on being a senator as a career or wait for an opening in the Supreme Court since she may not ever get a cabinet post. Sen Clinton is a power player in the Cheney style. Barak H Obama can't risk becoming a sock puppet for the establishment by putting Hillary into his cabinet of 2d place on the ticket. Biden & Edwards, perhaps Dodd, could serve in an Obama cabinet. But the race isn't nearly over; Feb could be surprising. Scripture & poets speak truth when saying April is the cruelest month too. The only sure thing is that there isn't a sure thing in this race. Most absurd speculation: Bloomberg as VP or some place serving Obama could be in the cards even as a joker or other wild card.
That's great to hear, and since the comments on the Paul-Giuliani article aren't working, I'll post it here: his sixth-place finish was the biggest and best surprise of the Iowa primary.
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First Posted: 01- 4-08 12:22 AM | Updated: 03-28-08 02:45 AM