Will turnout in Iowa caucuses be an indicator of national turnout....

[kentuck]

for Democrats? It has been reported that 61,000 tuned out for the last caucus in 2000 but they anticipate perhaps double that this time around. Would you interpret this as an indicator of heightened interest of Democrats in the upcoming election? Could this be a possible national trend and of much concern to Bush and the Repubs? Or will negative ads and character assassinations wear down the possible turnout by the time November rolls around?

[Racenut20]

1. Be nice wouldn't it..but

I think the "heavy" turnout anticipated in Iowa (120,000 of 1,000,000) to go along with the media and tell us who we should vote for and give money to later is a functin of having so many candidates, where in 2000 there was only Gore and Bradley.

[BeatleBoot]

2. In my neck of the woods

I would say yes.

Dems are out in full force for the caucuses and in November.

Even the older WWII vets around here are cheesed at Bush.

And repuke "water cooler-office talk" is mute.

Not a very scientific observation, just my gut feeling is all.

[gristy]

3. I think this is great news.

Whether it is because we have so many candidates this time compared to 2000 is almost irrelevant. The point is that these folks are engaged NOW and will continue to be so right up to November.

Go Dems!