DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Iowa Caucuses This Evening

Okay, so I'm a political junkie actually sitting here flipping between the Democratic and Republican caucuses that they are showing. The caucus process is very interesting to watch, IMO. This is either very intelligent or entirely moronic. I love the idea of actually talking politics and getting to know the community. However, I'm slightly disturbed at some of the people that are going around trying to persuade others and misstating facts and quotes for the candidates that they are reportedly speaking for. Anybody else watching, or at least looking at results?

I lean towards entirely moronic.

All around, all candidates, both sides. If someone doesn't see the pimping and pandering then they're gullible. It's "Let's pretend we give a damn about Iowa" week.

Not watching or care(no offense). I'm hoping this Orange Bowl turns out to be a decent game to be honest.

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Anybody else watching

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Yes, I'm watching in an attempt to cure my insomnia.

The cameras following the Richardson people at this caucus are quite interesting. They have been fighting so hard for a chance at one delegate and were actually pulling their numbers up to close to getting that delegate. They had two people that were great recruiters and probably brought 10-15 people into their group. However, they ultimately fell short and just disbanded. Obama is will win this precinct.

The Republican version is much better oranized and is a lot easier to follow, although a little more boring in that it is pretty straight forward.

Huckabee and Obama are the projected winners.

That makes no sense. They have completly opposite political ideologies.

Sen. Barack Obama, bidding to become the first black president, won the Iowa caucuses Thursday night, the opening test in the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination.

Obama 08

I disagree with 95% of what Huckabee says, but he is entertaining to watch/listen to, so I see what you are saying. However, they are vastly different ideologically.

Do you feel this way because you feel like you can trust them? That's the only thing that makes Obama appeal to me

I just don't see anything that Obama has done. He hits the surface but i don't see any explanations for anything he has to say. he's been senator for two years and wrote a book??

2 books.

He's a Harvard Law Grad, served on the Illinois state senate from 97 to 04. Delievered the keynote speech at the '04 National Democratic Convention. This guy is going to be one of the great modern politicians and while young at 46, he is very qualified IMO.

I will say being a young person, I really want to vote for Obama because of that same point...unfortunately a few issues always being a GOP in the end. Pro-life to me is one of the biggest issues for me being

1. A Christian

and

2. A son of a nurse

Different ideologies but I agree, I like them both.

Obama seems like a good man - good father, good husband - but I disagree with him greatly.

But if our next president isn't going to do anything, I'll probably go with Obama if Huck is out. I can't vote for Romney or Rudy. Even as a hardline Republican, I'd probably vote Obama over those two.

I didn't think Huck was electable, at all; but he's gaining steam.

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Every time he talks he sounds like he wants to unite the country...

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And thats all it is is talk. Thats all politicians do is talk. I have zero faith that any one of these candidates will follow through on what they preach. They say what they need to say to get elected.

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I will say being a young person, I really want to vote for Obama because of that same point...unfortunately a few issues always being a GOP in the end. Pro-life to me is one of the biggest issues

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This has always been a problem for me. I am pro life but I think it would be a horrible thing at this point to have a complete ban on abortion. I do want tighter restrictions though. We have had more republicans add Supreme Court Justices than Democrats, yet amazingly it has stayed legal, and I suspect it always will. If one of the more moderate republicans get elected I feel pretty confident that they won't add Justices that will expand abortion rights. I can't say the same for some of the more recent dems.

I don't know where anyone stands on this issue yet. I will research it more before I vote.

It is such a difficult issue for me because of how much I value life. The thing is the canidates that are most pro life seem to be lacking across the board in other issues. A Romney or Rudi might be the answer. The thing is I think Rudy is a complete ass for the way he treated his exwife and I don't know anything about Romney. I guess I'll have to learn before the primary.

"...2 books.

He's a Harvard Law Grad, served on the Illinois state senate from 97 to 04. Delievered the keynote speech at the '04 National Democratic Convention. This guy is going to be one of the great modern politicians and while young at 46, he is very qualified...."

Very qualified to be a lecturer on college campuses possibly. Nothing in his background has prepared him for a major leadership role in handling chief executive duties on a business or state let alone the Federal Gov't.

He seems like a decent man with a quick wit and above average INTELLIGENCE BUT WITH NO FOREIGN AFFAIRS EXPERIENCE AT ALL...other than several childhood years spent in the M.E.

Just clicking....

I'm conflicted. On one hand, I'm probably feeling relief knowing that Hilary looks like she won't run for president. Thank God! I'm sorry but that would just have irritated the hell out of me....

As far as Obama, don't get me wrong, I really like the guy! I mean listening to him talk and a few issues, I like the guy and agree with him. I, in some respects, would genuinely be EXCITED to have him in office. However, I lean to the right on things, especially pro-life... OUCH. It's like I get pumped up for and want to play my hardest for the coach, but disagree on some X's and O's... That being said, Huckabee bores the crap out of me, I'm just not a fan. I would much rather have McCain or even Fred freakin' Thompson.

At the same time, how funny would it be for the Reps to just run Rudy Giuliani and John McCain and we could all get a pool on how long it would take them to get all gung ho and invade Iran

"...Well...firstly, Obama has a groundswell of young people who support him. Every time he talks he sounds like he wants to unite the country...it's the exact opposite of the Bush regime and the exact opposite of what Hillary would be if she were elected."

True enough...but this is not a college mixer where everyone plays by the rules.

Neither Obama,Huckabee,Paul or Edwards have the desire to play hardball with the bad guys of the world...I believe that Clinton,Rudy,Romney do have what it takes and it doesn't involve likeability or coming together as one.

The groundswell of young people seems to thin out greatly when the cold hard reality of international problems undercuts the best of social intentions.

I will say that Rudy was my leading canidate for pres...but it doesn't look like he'll be much of a factor. I really want someone who isn't going to be a little pansy when it comes to world politics. I want someone who will do something because it's the right thing for America and it's future.

arch i seem to be agreeing with you alot...

and, again I do. What youve said is about the biggest reason that I find it so hard to get interested in politics. Its more smoke and mirrors and bashing than high school.

It really bothers me the large disconnect between every politician and the common person. They say what we want to hear, and dont follow through as much as they should.

I understand that politicians are supposed to do what the best interest of the nation is, and the public doesnt much know...but they dont seem to ever explain their reasoning. They just talk in circles.

I've been following these for quite a while and everyone has such different strategies that there is no clear cut winner for either side

Huckabee- Glad he won tonight, anyone over Romney. He was unheard of just months ago but has gained momentum and won Iowa even though Romney has outspent him by nearly 12x's the amount. He is hoping to build off this win and gain more funds to compete in the upcoming primaries.

Romney- Must be very disappointed. He held the lead in Iowa for most of the yaer only to lose it in the end. To top that he has lost his lead in New Hampshire as well to McCain. He has spent the most money but was the first person to begin airing negative ads which really turned me against him. He was hoping victories in Iowa and New Hampshire would give him too much momentum to catch. He's lost one and New Hampshire is going to be a dogfight.

McCain- McCain's campaign was dead in the water a few months ago. However he has stuck with his issues and has gained serious momentum. He is in a fight for 3rd in Iowa even though he hardly campaigned and just reportedly took the lead in New Hampshire. NH is a make or break for McCain. If he wins he will gain much more support and donations should increase as well. A loss will most likely end his run. Personally I would vote for McCain above everyone else.

Guliani- Guliani has abandoned Iowa and New Hampshire and the much smaller states. He is now completely focused on the larger states with more delegates while his opponents move with the primaries. Guliani's strategy is to take the large numbers on "super tuesday" and move past everyone else for the nomination. Its bold and only time will tell.

Ron Paul- While I like most of what Paul is saying about our spending, economy, and our world policing; i just believe he is too radical. The number of departments he wants to cut is astounding. I really like the man though and I'd probably rank him 2nd after McCain. He is in it for the long haul. Paul is an internet sensation and has proved that he can raise funds with the best of them.

Fred Thompson- His campaign is faltering. He was hoping for a strong showing in Iowa but is fighting for a distant 3rd. He has to hope to pull a McCain or Huckabee and gain some serious momentum fast.

Other GOP's- Though they haven't quit yet, the nail in their coffins is being hit. Very poor showings in Iowa should only finish off what little hope they had.

Obama- This was huge for Obama. He proved he can beat Clinton. He may gain just enough momentum to pull ahead of Clinton...for now.

Clinton- Remember this, Hillary has a WAR CHEST of finances she has yet to spend. She has raised a huge amount of money and has yet to even begin to spend it. The plan is for her to save it for the Presidential election but if she continues feeling the heat then she will unload some more to gain the upper hand. She is a political machine and I think she gets the nod.

Edwards- Is Edwards. He'll hang around, be competetive, win a primary or two, maybe even get another VP nomination, but in the end I just dont see him winning.

Richardson- Iowa gave him enough hope to hold out til New Hampshire. I think he'll call it quits after that.

I'm voting for Larry The Cable Guy

Not me, I'm voting for Bill Belichick.

No more fugly black, and dark blue suits, or ties being worn in the White House

OK, OK, the more I think about it, the more I like the Idea of Bill B anyway. Just think he doesn't like to talk to the Public, so his speeches would be less often, and they would be shorter.

jc..

I'm still waiting to see a political campaign that doesn't center on mudslinging. Why not tell me what you plan to do to make our country better, not tell me that your opponent has VD or something.

I can't believe anyone would listen to those ads and get anything from them. One says the other doesn't or can't do anything right, while the other is repeating the same thing. That's about the only truth in them, is that neither candidate intends to do squat once we elect them and they start collecting checks.

Only one of McCain/Romney can come out of New Hampshire. Romney spent so much in Iowa, and had a huge loss. McCain might be able to come back from a New Hampshire loss, but it would be really difficult. I'm not sure Giuliani's strategy can work, but he'll at least make in interesting in a few states. Thompson isn't dead yet. He actually did a little better than I thought he would, based on his spending. If he can stay in there until Super Tuesday and get some numbers there in more of his home territory, he could make a rebound. There was a report yesterday that if Thompson fell to 4th, he was going to withdraw, I don't see that happening. He's too comfortable in some later states to give it up. He just needs to hold that 3rd/4th area and use the Giuliani idea, IMO.

On the Democratic side, Dodd and Biden withdrew from the race last night as it is entirely obvious that it is a 3-person race. Richardson is just hanging in there, but he'll be gone within a week or two. Edwards did better than I thought he would, I honestly thought a lot of his number were soft. Clinton needs a win in New Hampshire as well, more to just get some stream back from Obama. Obama, well, he had a huge night. The votes were huge, getting 56% of independents and first-time voters. Then he topped it off with an amazing speech last night on national television. He's got a huge head of steam right now. The last NH poll was Clinton (34), Obama (30), Edwards (28). I'm intrigued to see what a new one later today says and how much Obama picks up.

You guys are all nuts. I'm voting Stephen Colbert.

The problem is that there is no way that Hilliary can become president. Despite the backing of the established democratic machine she represents the worst possible candidate for America, because of her leagacy with Bill. She may have an entirely different viewpoint, but as president should would be the latest volley in the Bush/Clinton/Bush tennis match. America (the moderate-independent voters) have tired of the polar nature of the political parties, that seem to get nothing done.

So the Democrats are left with Edwards or Obama.

The Repbulicans are still trying to find thier candidate. I do not think it is Romney, I can see why people would tend to like Huckabee, simply because he speaks easily. I think Huckabee would be easier to defeat than McCain, just because of his religious background.

The real challenge will be how the republican candidate deals with the war. A pro-war stance will not be electable, and that is why McCain will not win.

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the third is the worst president in our nation's history

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Even though I am very much against Bush, that title easily goes to either Franklin Pierce, Warren Harding or James Buchanan. If you think Bush is the worst, you have a very basic knowledge of history and presidential history.