Let's say it together....WE DON'T KNOW

[debbierlus]

Statistically locked dead heat in a caucus where all kinds of strategies & deals between candidates could throw any of the top three into first place.....

My gut tells ME Edwards, but that might be the turkey club I had last night. So, let's just watch & see.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

1. haha K&R

Just cause you're right.

We don't know.

Let's say it together, "WE DON'T KNOW!"

[Annces]

2. I think it will be Edwards

Just my guess.

[Kajsa]

4. I hope you're right, Annces.

But in reality- I have no idea
what the outcome will be.

:)

[helderheid]

9. hope you're right!

:bounce:

[supernova]

15. I hope so!

:D

But I'm willing to wait and see.

[salin]

3. No idea...

none.

[shadowknows69]

5. I'm putting myself in a coma until 11pm tonight.

I can't take it. Watching sports was never this brutal.

[City Lights]

6. Anything can happen.

I have no idea how today will play out. :hi:

[EnviroBat]

7. I know. EDWARDS!!!

[KharmaTrain]

8. Let The People, Not The Corporate Media Decide

Howard Dean just swatted down the bobblehead on CNN muttering talking points. He said that tonight someone will emerge who worked just a little harder and that the debate will now shift to New Hampshire and on to several more states...in the next few weeks we'll see a candidate emerge.

IMHO Iowa is over-rated as past winners have not always gone on to win the nomination. The caucuses are more like an obstacle course...it weeds out the real candidate from the issue ones. The "conventional wisdom" is the best organization will win tonight...but even that's a push. All three major candidates have built solid operations and there's no indicator which group's people will turn out. If they all do, it's gonna be a fun night...if one faulters, then let's see who gobbles up the lion's share.

I think the turning point this year could be Nevada as we could see different candidates win different states...and this would be the prelude to Tsunami Tuesday. The momentum coming out of that primary could be what determines the entire nomination.

[salin]

10. I may be alone in hoping that there are a bunch of disparate results

in different states - that there is no quick 'crowning' of the front-runner. I think that the earliness of the campaign startig this year isn't healthy, nor is the obscene amount of money raised (I know in reality on the money side one has to compete with the vast rw money machines) - and if the race remains a tossup for a long time, perhaps that particular conventional wisdom (per how early and how much money is needed) will start to be questioned.

But that's just me.

[KharmaTrain]

13. Good To See You

Happy New Year, my friend :toast:

I hadn't seen you around lately...glad to see you back. And as usual, we are in agreement.

The money thing is a necessary evil as the primary/silly season is now a three year event that all but kicked into high gear last January and has been consuming money and resources since. The whole campaign/primary system has created a cottage industry of consultants and advisors and polsters who now make a nice buck on this gravy train.

I expect the primary system to be very different in 2012 due to all the horsetrading and date jumping by many states that lead to this super-front loaded system that will all but name the nominee by Valentine's Day. The DNC will take control of this fiasco...my hopes are they set up regional primaries...kinda like playoffs...a serious of states...north, south, west, big, small on several given Tuesdays in April through June...the onto the Convention in July/August. Yeah, I know I'm dreaming. LOL.

Cheers...

[salin]

14. I'll dream with you.

Being a real late state voter (may) everything feels rather 'academic' as in there is little to do but watch.

A regional set up would be great. I used to think that a one-month national primary would be a good idea - but after the year long campaign - I imagine it would be like this is - tons of media money just spread out a little more. I no longer think that would be a good thing. One benefit of the year-and ahalf long primary season has been the number of debates this year has been a good thing - as more issues have penetrated their way into the public psyche. The issues just don't get much play in 30 second ads.

Glad to see you as well, my friend. In a couple of days I will be back to very long work hours and only posting early and late.

Here's to finally kicking off the actual primary season (albeit with a caucus)!

[TahitiNut]

11. It has never been more clear to me why Santa Anita makes money.

On a forum where folks get their shoulders out-of-joint patting ourselves on the back for being "well-informed" and "intelligent," it's remarkable to me how many pretend to have some superior ability to foresee a future "winner" ... but seem incapable of adhering even a majority of the time to a discussion of MESSAGE instead of specious attacks on the MESSENGERS.

We're getting what we deserve (or better) ... and I don't have a realistic expectation that it'll improve in the foreseeable future.

I hope I'm wrong. :shrug:

[lisainmilo]

12. I got a "pit" in my stomach

I have to work tonight....I just have a "pit" in my stomach....very anxious about what the outcome will be....
"I don't know!" "I hope" :)

[gratuitous]

16. Nonsense - I know

And I'll tell you all tomorrow. Saturday at the latest.