Iowa Caucus

[vrikasatma]

Well, the results are rolling in. With the help of the Faith Vote, Mike Huckabee is whomping the hell out of the Republican side and Barack Obama is pulling out of a decidedly clustered Democratic pack.

......

I won't go into Huck's spirituality but I will say this much: 1,100 violent felons walked free on the tenuous grounds that they "found Jesus" while in Arkansas jails under his watch as governor. If you look at nothing else with this guy, consider that. I'm not panicking yet, but recent history has shown the veracity of that axiom that goes "Beware stupidity in mass quantities."

I am sort of glad that Ron Paul is nowhere to be seen. Iowa caucusers tend to punish negative campaigning and caucus for change but it seems Dr. Paul was altogether too much change for them.

Speaking of negative campaigns, I have no idea why Edwards came in second. He's been running with elbows swinging the whole way.

Biden is hinting at endorsing Barack Obama and Kucinich already did. Chris Dodd, unfortunately, wrapped up his run tonight, no word yet who he's going to give the nod to.

My candidate, Governor Bill Richardson, is still in; he'll be in until at least the Western states are finished with their caucuses and primaries. We were expecting to come in third or fourth anyway; we expect victories in Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and possibly Colorado. If he doesn't get the nomination, I'll go with Obama even though he's anti-gun.

Hillary's still in the race, even with a fairly limp third placing. They're geared up for a marathon run, like my team. Surprisingly enough, she didn't get the women's vote, Barack did. She did well with veteran caucus-goers.

The state said that the caucus-going public was more than the last, by a sizable margin.

What's encouraging is that if the race is down to Obama vs. Huckabee, Obama will be a shoe-in.

Discuss.

[RedEye]

I wouldn't bet that an Obama-Huckabee choice would be a shoe-in for Obama. He scares a lot of centerists and conservies, who would swing the vote to Huckabee.
As for Hillary; she's even more extreme than her husband-what's-his-name...and would make even some Liberals vote Huckabee.
McCain is a Democrat in Republican clothing, looking at his voting record-and might move centerists toward Obama (who at least admits to being what he is).
You're right: it's far from over. Very far.

Personally, none of the candidates (based on their records) that I could support in good faith has done well, but that really doesn't surprise me: no flash, no bang, just hard work and dedication to the job they were elected to do isn't a Presidential campaign winner.
SO- looks like once again, I consider who will be the lesser of the evils presented (and no- I don't even like Ron Paul; he's a two faced idiot).

It's really amazing, that we choose the most powerful person on Earth based on what is essentially: Glamor. Not work, nor really even promises; since they are manufactured by public opinions and not the person themself.

Personally, I'm Non-Partisan Pragmatic Centerist. I suspect tha there are more people like me than there are real Conservatives or Liberals; but since we're "luke-warm" about most things, we get to choose from the more attractive liberals or conservatives for the most part.

Either way; We, the People, will once again get the President and the Government we deserve.

[vrikasatma]

It is sad that we vote according to how charismatic a candidate is. And it's even sadder that Presidential debates clock in shorter than the Superbowl. One would think that electing the leader of the country would take precedence.

And agree that Huckabee might not get his a** handed to him; we did vote for Bush. Twice. (BTW, I just read a news article that Huckabee encouraged his bloggers to clog up the wireless band in Iowa so journalists couldn't publish anything negative about him — talk about unethical)

"He scares a lot of centerists and conservies, who would swing the vote to Huckabee. "
Hey...I'm a centrist...
The Caucus shows that he scores well with the women's vote, and they're 54% of the voting demographic. That may or may not be on account of Oprah backing him, and I agree he's a good candidate, but I do want a more experienced candidate.

Bill Richardson appeals enough to the centrists that he's pledged to appoint Repubs and Independents to his cabinet and there are moderate Republicans who are willing to cross party lines to vote for him in the general election, should he get the nomination. How's that for unifying the country? But the people continue to go for the "Rock Star" factor.

[Terastas]

(BTW, I just read a news article that Huckabee encouraged his bloggers to clog up the wireless band in Iowa so journalists couldn't publish anything negative about him — talk about unethical)

He also encouraged his supporters (jokingly I'm sure, but it sure didn't sound like jest) that if they knew their neighbors were going to vote for someone else, to shovel their snow into their driveways so they couldn't get out and vote.

If Bush taught me anything, it's that the president doesn't need to have experience, just people with experience working under him. I like Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and John Edwards, but I can't picture any of them running everything, so I think they'd be better off as the next Secretary of State (Richardson), Secretary of Commerce (Edwards) and Attorney General (Dodd), positions where they can directly influence the matters which they are best qualified for and/or most concerned with. That said, if Obama could get enough experienced and trustworthy individuals supporting him (and I believe he can and will), that would be enough for me to vote for him.

[MattSullivan]

I HIGHLy doubt Huckabee or ANYONE from the republican party will be elected president. Aside from EVERYTHING bad going on, the econonmy, the war, the closing of major businesses left and right ( starting to notice it here ) People have had ENOUGH.

They said so by choosing Obama over Hillary by a 3 to 1 margin. People don't want any more family "monarchies" ruling the white house for 8-12 years at a time. No more bushes, no more clintons....

Obama will win. That's my prediction. Because america CRAVES change, just like it did back in the 60's.

[Terastas]

*nods* I think the Republicans know it too. I never thought I'd see the day where a guy like Romney, who practically embodies political corruption, would be the front runner for his party.

The only Rep. I really like right now is McCain, but just like with Richardson and Dodd, I don't see him as a strong leader, so I think his qualifications would be much better suited to a cabinet (Secretary of Veteran Affairs should be close to his heart, no?).

[MattSullivan]

Democrats have issuse going against them, like immigration and socialist medicine, but that still won't stop the republican denial machine. They're doomed.

[vrikasatma]

What I'm deeply concerned about with Hillary is that <i>if</i> she gets the nomination (Matt, I think you're right), the Repubs will tear her to shreds. As has been already pointed out, Obama could drive moderates and conservatives over to Huckabee.

Despite his many and glaring flaws, he still whomped a** in Iowa. He came close to landsliding Romney, with a lead on him that eclipsed even Barack's lead on Edwards.

I spent the afternoon in my apartment complex's TV room (I don't have one of my own, can't afford Comcast), watching the spin. CNN was spouting this tripe that Obama was too far left for most people. According the ElectoralCompass.com (a Dutch site), Hillary's further left than Barack. In fact, even Richardson is further left. Barack is like me, a progressive left centrist. If Richardson wasn't in the race, Barack would be my candidate but like I said, I'm supporting the experienced candidate and that's why I tipped for Bill.

Anyway, I don't see moderates <i>or</i> Liberals fleeing Barack for Huckabee's side. I don't even think he'll get many conservatives, except for the religious whackjobs who used to follow Falwell and wish Robertson would run again. My brother and mom are deeply conservative and even they don't like him. Quote from my Mom: "Ew. He's so creepy."

It may be premature but hey, the planetary tides from my birthday are still in the mix and I got a hunch that it'll be Obama by a landslide come November 4.

[MattSullivan]

Huckabee doesn't seem like such a bad guy, except he's severely Christian Conservative, and has promised to stack the supreme court and overturn Roe vs Wade. now, I don't like abortion, but as someone who was adopted, who knows what it's like to be unwanted, if that ever happens we're gonna have a whole generation of angry, unwanted kids with no future and no one to raise them. BAAAAD NEWS.

NO MORE MORAL MAJORITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

[vrikasatma]

Well, that aside...and as a woman it's a big issue with me (I was adopted too), if you take a look at some of the statements Huckabee makes it's not rocket science to figure out he' goes a lot further out than just a Conservative Christian. Fred Thompson is too, he's as conservative as this field gets, but he doesn't do things like shoot pheasants and then say "This is what'll happen to you if you don't vote Republican."

That's a serious red flag there. The press are trying to spin it as "the guy's got a sense of humour" but...taken to it's logical conclusion, it's not funny at all. You could equally spin that as "unilateral coup attempt." In any other country, that's exactly the way it'd be taken. In light of the fact that his bloody SON — an Eagle Scout, no less — tortured a dog to death by hanging, throat-slash and stoning, I'd think that most sensible people would run screaming in the other direction from him.

No more Moral Majority in the White House? Yes, and let's keep sociopaths out, too.

[Aki]

I like Obama the best of the choices.

Though I really wish McCain or someone who's not Mitt would kick Huckabee down a few notches or something. I'd really not want Huckabee or Romney as president. Not a fan. At all.

I'll go with Obama even though he's anti-gun.

Yeah, that's one of the things I dislike about him. That and immigration and probably something else I can't recall. But aside from those I tend to like him.

[RedEye]

Anyone who thinks abortion can be outlawed, probably also thinks you can ban the sale of alcohol.
Some people have no. brains. atall.

[Set]

Anyone who thinks abortion can be outlawed, probably also thinks you can ban the sale of alcohol.

They tried banning alcohol once. Didn't work.

Some people have no. brains. atall.

That...is too true.

[MattSullivan]

Never underestimate the power of organized religion. i assure you, unless you go out there and oppose them THEY are the ones whoALWAYS vote, and they WILL decide how you live.

So get off your fat lazy duffs and VOTE!

[Terastas]

Three things to consider about Huckabee.

1) He's an evangelist. Iowa is devoutly Christian, but America as a whole is not.

2) He's unprofessional.

3) He doesn't have much in terms of competition.

I think Huckabee was basically a "none of the above" vote for a lot of people since, up until now, he was fairly unknown. His whole evangelical approach might have worked in Iowa, but it definitely won't work in New Hampshire, and if he thinks he can joke about sabotaging the networks and other campaigns as he has been during the election, he's going to be in for one hell (pun intended) of a rude awakening.

Which is another reason I'm absolutely confident a Democrat will win in November: Huckabee, Romney etc. seem completely clueless as to how transparent they are and/or how widely open their skeletal closets are. Even Dennis Kucinich could have verbally ripped any one of them a new one.

Right now I'm torn between Clinton and Obama. With Hillary, you also get Bill, who did wonders for the U.S. financially and diplomatically (the two key fields we need most right now). The downside is that the Bush-brand Republicans (the ones that give Conservatives everywhere a bad name) already know what people don't like about the Clintons and could easily turn the election into a childish mudslinging campaign. Obama meanwhile lacks experience compared to his other candidates, but he has a talent for bringing people together that could easily compensate for his lack of experience, at least provided that he brings the right people together.

I was kinda' hoping Richardson would drop out so I could base my vote on who has his support. I guess this means I will be watching the debates.

[vrikasatma]

Yes, that's right!

Debate on ABC tonight, 9PM eastern time ( 8 central, 7 mountain, 6 Pacific).

Right now I'm torn between Clinton and Obama. With Hillary, you also get Bill, who did wonders for the U.S. financially and diplomatically (the two key fields we need most right now). The downside is that the Bush-brand Republicans (the ones that give Conservatives everywhere a bad name) already know what people don't like about the Clintons and could easily turn the election into a childish mudslinging campaign. Obama meanwhile lacks experience compared to his other candidates, but he has a talent for bringing people together that could easily compensate for his lack of experience

This <i>is</i> exactly why I'm supporting Bill Richardson. He was involved in the Clinton White House, in fact he did their foreign relations, as well as their energy plan. He has experience; he was doing diplomacy when Barack was still in high school. He wants a balanced budget amendment. And the only mud the Repubs can sling at him is a speeding ticket and out-of-school boasting about a baseball career that didn't happen. He got Saddam to let American hostages go, and got North Korea to release the remains of soldiers that died over there during the Korean War. To me, he's the best of all worlds in terms of his candidacy.

[MoonKit]

As far as abortion goes, I saw a good bumper sticker today: "Keep Your Rosaries Out Of My Ovaries". I thought it was good.


Too be honest, Im not really following the Republicans probably as much as I should because I know I wont vote for them. But I am torn between the Democrats. Hilary and Obama really are the best candidates. Or at the very least, the most well spoken and intelligent. And I dont think I would mind either one of them winning. But Im not sure who stands a better chance.

And as you guys mentioned above, I guess Hilary could be torn down very easily since they know her so well and since we already had Bill. Obama defiantly stands a better chance here because he has no experience. Which means less skeletons to be dragged out of the closet. But we already know Hilary so it might be easier to vote for someone who we know how they'll act...at least somewhat.

Ill have to keep my eye on it. Im pretty sure Im all registered to vote. It's really the first presidential election thats holding my attention. Luckily its also the first that Im old enough to vote in.

[RedEye]

That's why I'm watching Bill Richardson: he was involved in the Clinton White House.
He might be cut from different cloth than "Teflon Willie" but I can't be sure enough to support him.
Face it: Bill Clinton was a disappointment from day two of his administration. He backed so much water over his campaign promises (which I had believed) that he almost beached himself stern-first. He may have hired some good guys, but he also hired Mario Cuomo, who was a first class sleaze.
No- I'm not a gun-nut; but I'd like to keep mine...and so far the second amendment has had ominous silence from the whole Democratic party.
I'm not looking at the election, actually: I'm looking six months after...when the real Programs kick in. Bush did the same thing-waited six months before showing how incapable he really was.
As for the "Imperial Presidency"...nobody seems to want to take that apart, Republican or Democrat.
As of the current time, Bush still has issued fewer Executive Orders (Imperial Decrees) than Clinton.
I watched...and came away still puzzled as to what to expect when the Democratic President is elected.

One thing that I will NOT forgive the Democrats is the use of the Population Density to force "City" laws on rural areas. That was in part why Bush got elected: Just because the Cities have problems, there is no call to force "City" solutions on the rural areas like the Democrats did last time they were in power.
It looks like the Democrats are still focussing on the cities, and ignoring the rural and farm areas, which is dumb. It cost them the Bush-Gore election, and it may cost them again in 2008. The harder you try to force "enlightened" politics on people, the harder they'll hit back; and on that note; tonight I heard the same rhetoric and wind that I heard in 2000 and 2004.

I suspect the upcoming election will be a record-setting mess.

[MoonKit]

Face it: Bill Clinton was a disappointment from day two of his administration. He backed so much water over his campaign promises (which I had believed) that he almost beached himself stern-first.

Thats what I think is going to happen if Obama got elected. He's making too many lovely promises that I think he'll soon find out that he wont be able to follow through with.

[vrikasatma]

About guns: I have my share and so does Bill Richardson. He's a hunter, he has pack and trail horses, and he went out after pheasants in Iowa, too. NRA hasn't come out with an endorsement but they're okay with him. Take that as ye will...

Yep, the White House has a barn and pasturage. Reagan saw to that. "Sundance" the First Horse, it has a ring to it.

[RedEye]

Actually, the NRA's semi-endorsing Bill Richardson by not dredging up all the negative stuff they can find about him.

IF...and that's a big IF: he gets the nod from the Democrats, I just may vote for him. What I suspect is that either Obama or Clinton will get the nod, since they have the "shiny" aspect well covered by the press; and the voters do like "shiny" things. So do Racoons and magpies.

Maybe wel'll get lucky and get a viable Democratic candidate with Richardson. I won't hold my breath until after the convention, though.
It isn't popularity with the voters that counts: it's who the Party "Oligarchs" decide they will run for the Presidency that matters; and both Obama and Clinton are strong there.
After all, a good Democrat votes for whomever the Party says to vote for, don't they? That's what lost them the last two elections. Maybe this time they will notice the fact. Probably they won't.
Aghh- I'm tired after sandbagging a friends house and trying to keep the dratted idiot's home from being washed away by that "wonderful stream" she HAD to build it by--and below.
That- and I hate the itty-bitty keyboard on my laptop-but that's all I have with me.

[Lukas]

on a off shoot of the topic, I've bought and read about 2/3s of Bill O'Reilly book Culture warrior, boy is it filled with slander and crap, but thankfully i researched the book after i read some of it, I plan to finish the rest later, im very carefully to pick up the real points through the sea of crap and I'm learning some things, there some good points in the book if your willing to get past the misinformation and look past the personal attacks and not bother going for either side of the culture war(which i do believe there is one)
while i do believe that Bill misinterpreted information (whether on purpose or not) I do believe there is a battle between radical traditionalist and radical Progressives and it is heating up

[MattSullivan]

I hate guns but it's every American's RIGHT to own them. Protect the guns.

[Terastas]

while i do believe that Bill misinterpreted information (whether on purpose or not) I do believe there is a battle between radical traditionalist and radical Progressives and it is heating up

It's the result of party politics. One party comes together in order to bully around all political rivals, and their political rivals in turn band together in retaliation, resulting in two parties that stand opposed to each other on any an all issues: the party, and the anti-party.

As for the NRA. . . Well, baring arms is one thing, but lately the NRA has become the base, not just for the 2nd amendment, but of corporate elitism and psychotic conservatism overall, so who they endorse means nothing to me.

[RedEye]

I hate guns but it's every American's RIGHT to own them. Protect the guns.

Would to heaven that everyone were so wise. "I hate abortions, so I won't have one" works as well. (not my sentiment, btw)
Regrettably, whether it's Guns or Abortions; we are all in the crosshairs of those who would save us from ourselves; pick a cause at leisure.

What is truly comedic is the shock and confusion seen when these self-anointed rescuers cross swords and try to un-do each other's work, or worse bash each other's actions in the public eye.
They quickly dissemble themselves as fools, yet they have their dedicated followers who just don't see it and keep right on trying.

One of the unspoken, but salient RIGHTS we enjoy is for each of us to achieve heaven or hell in our own inimitable style. We like to "do our own thing" and resent those who "just know" that they're right and everyone else is wrong, especially when it involves some major piece of political philosophy.
Take the "Living Constitution" idea. The concept is that somehow the words in the Constitution change meaning with each generation and political climate. These people can justify anything they want by "re-interpreting" the Constitution to make it support their particular viewpoint, and validate their political agenda.
It's just a document, folks! It's a Contract, and the words have not changed one whit since it was adopted in 1790. There have been amendments, yes: these are the proper way to remodel this contract we made with our Government 218 years ago.
But the Words don't change. They remain the same, yet there are those who would re-interpret them to mean fantastic things not even envisioned when it was adopted so many years past.
Like Matt Sullivan said, he hates guns, but it's every American's RIGHT to own them. Yet, there are people who would say that Guns-or Free Speech-or Freedom to worship-or freedom from forced confessions (to name a few) are concepts subject to change as the times change.
They aren't concepts: they're specifically worded Rights. If you can diagram a sentence (they still teach that, don't they?) you can see exactly what the Amendments and Articles mean. If you can't diagram a sentence- find someone who can, and have them diagram and explain what the various parts of our contract of Government says.
Be prepared for a shock, though. Be prepared for a shock. We've so bent and distorted some parts of this contract, it's a wonder that it still works at all.
Yet, it does. It works because it's simple, clear, and proper English! It was put together by some really intelligent-and practical-people.
It's like classical Greek architecture; simple, solid, and strong enough to last millenia.
Comparing that to what we have today; well, it's been painted-by several different painters with different color schemes in mind. There have been additions to it that make putting some "stick-on-mirrors and bumper stickers" on the Capitol* seem mild in comparison...and let's not forget the Ferris wheel in the Rotunda in this comparison, as well.
Yet it still works, because it sits on a strong foundation and has a simple, strong structure under it, for all the glitter and gold-sprayed macaroni applied to every surface. What is at the basis is still strong, no matter what the political decorations are for it -right now.
And the basic concept behind it still lives: "Let the People govern, and let them recieve the just desserts of their Government."
Worked then, works now.

*Sadly, the actual building-the Capitol- is marginally unfit for occupancy. There are huge supports on one side, basically to hold the wall up. The Dome sits on damaged sandstone-centered pillars, and could collapse. Grout has been injected into the ground to stop the leaning of the Representatives Chamber's outside wall, and the Senate gallery is routinely overloaded with visitors, weight-wise. Aircraft have been routed away from it since the sixties-the Jets make noise that could farther weaken the structure's integrity through vibration.
The cost of repairs? About what it takes to build ten miles of freeway in Nebraska. But-Nebraskans vote, and buildings don't. End of story.