Question about the Iowa caucus.

[TomSlick]

While it sounds like fun to me, I suspect that folks other than the really politically interested would find a caucus to be a huge expenditure of time on a stinking cold night. Assuming that, if someone is one of the 40% of voters in Iowa who have not decided who to support, will they show up? If not, will it matter?

[question everything]

1. Yes, because it is a horse trade process

Each groups comgregate in a corner , or another areas of the room. You count the votes. if your candidate is not viable - by some convoluted algorithm- you start negotiate with the other groups to decide who would get the votes of your group.

I participated in one in 1988, which had many candidates and in our caucus the winner was decided by... a toss of a coin..

[TomSlick]

2. Got it.

But if someone is going to start the evening with no group, will they show just to hear their neighbors argue. I would but I my not be the norm.

[question everything]

3. They could though I am not sure why.

A long evening in mid winter.

[TomSlick]

4. I would. It sounds like a hoot.

Then again, I'm really into this stuff.

The news guys tell us the good people of Iowa take their first in the nation stuff seriously. Maybe they're just that serious.

[judeling]

5. People do show up

There are a lot of people like you who do find it interesting. But it is not that people haven't made up their minds so much as they haven't sorted out the choices.

You still go to the store even if you haven't decided what to cook yet, but you probably have narrowed your choices.

[sacto95834]

6. I participated in one caucus

back when I was in college. Michigan back then had a primary followed by a caucus in the evening. It was a relatively small group, so I wasn't there too long.

For a first timer it was interesting. Lots of true blue zealots. I lined up behind Gary Hart, before his fall from grace. Since he had enough support I didn't have to go to my second choice which probably would have been Mondale.

I'm sure Iowa is much larger and intense. Fortunately I live in a primary state now. Else I would be hard pressed to do another caucus - too old to do all that standing around in a small hot room.