iowa

[md11hydmec]

Why is iowa such a big deal for candidates and why do they get to pick the supposed candidate?  I don't mean any disrespect I just truly don't know and want to understand the selection process. You would think they would want to hit all the states.  Thanks.
MD

[CG6468]

Iowa doesn't really pick the candidate. People who have won in Iowa have lost their top candidate status.

Iowa has the first caucus, but it's merely an early indication of how IOWANS who bothered to go to the caucus feel.

[md11hydmec]

So there's not much of a big deal about it.  Then why does the media maie a big deal about it?

[dutch508]

You realize that each state does pick the candidate, right?

Its a big deal because it is the first one of the year. As it goes on the odds are narrowed down til the RNC picks a person to run.

[NHSparky]

Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina don't necessarily pick the eventual winner, but they certainly force also-rans/never-will-bes out, like Iowa will likely spell the end of the campaign for Perry and Bachman.

By Florida at the end of the month, we'll be down to 3, MAYBE 4 candidates (Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul.)  Huntsman will drop out after he has his ass handed to him in New Hampshire next week.

If Gingrich or Santorum falter, one's votes will go to the other, making it a Romney/Paul/other.  After that, Paul will "suspend" his campaigning because he'll be getting his ass kicked in primary states.  If his organization and followers can't manage better than 3rd in a caucus state like Iowa (and probably no better than 3rd in NH and 4th in SC), he'll eventually see the writing on the wall and go the hell away.

[md11hydmec]

Thanks.  I never really paid attention to the caucuses until now with the media pushing Romney on us.  I was just wondering why iowa goes first and not some other state.

[formerlurker]

Bachmann and Perry are not going to SC.   

The race is about to get tighter.

[thundley4]

Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina don't necessarily pick the eventual winner, but they certainly force also-rans/never-will-bes out, like Iowa will likely spell the end of the campaign for Perry and Bachman.

By Florida at the end of the month, we'll be down to 3, MAYBE 4 candidates (Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul.)  Huntsman will drop out after he has his ass handed to him in New Hampshire next week.

If Gingrich or Santorum falter, one's votes will go to the other, making it a Romney/Paul/other.  After that, Paul will "suspend" his campaigning because he'll be getting his ass kicked in primary states.  If his organization and followers can't manage better than 3rd in a caucus state like Iowa (and probably no better than 3rd in NH and 4th in SC), he'll eventually see the writing on the wall and go the hell away.

I wouldn't be surprised if Paul runs as a third party.  He's old this is his last chance, imo.

[JohnnyReb]

Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina don't necessarily pick the eventual winner, but they certainly force also-rans/never-will-bes out, like Iowa will likely spell the end of the campaign for Perry and Bachman.

By Florida at the end of the month, we'll be down to 3, MAYBE 4 candidates (Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul.)  Huntsman will drop out after he has his ass handed to him in New Hampshire next week.

If Gingrich or Santorum falter, one's votes will go to the other, making it a Romney/Paul/other.  After that, Paul will "suspend" his campaigning because he'll be getting his ass kicked in primary states.  If his organization and followers can't manage better than 3rd in a caucus state like Iowa (and probably no better than 3rd in NH and 4th in SC), he'll eventually see the writing on the wall and go the hell away.

I hope so but I've seen more Paul signs than any of the others.

[NHSparky]

I hope so but I've seen more Paul signs than any of the others.

Same here, including one HUGE one on the turnoff for the road going to my house.

Paul is running 3rd/4th here, depending on the poll you use.

[md11hydmec]

Thanks for helping me understand.  I'm just tired of the media trying to tell me who to vote for.

[CG6468]

Thanks for helping me understand.  I'm just tired of the media trying to tell me who to vote for.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.

[Eupher]

Bachmann and Perry are not going to SC.   

The race is about to get tighter.

Not according to this link. Perry evidently tweeted today that he's going to SC.

(Sparky's AP link from a different thread):

http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120104/NEWS0201/120109789

[DefiantSix]

I wouldn't be surprised if Paul runs as a third party.  He's old this is his last chance, imo.

I think the odds are high that he will, but his desire to do so will be counterbalanced by his desire to not have his entire batshit insane mob of Ronulan supporters embarrassed by finding out just how small a piece of the population they really are.

Wait a minute; what am I saying?!?!?    Dr. Nutz is absolutely immune to embarrassment, or the ****er would have withered and died 20 years ago when his crazy-assed racist shit first started getting national attention.  Not to mention, the Paulistinians are notorious for sticking their fingers in their ears whenever they're confronted with facts; why should the fact that they aren't the majority they think they are be ANY DIFFERENT??? 

[docstew]

Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina don't necessarily pick the eventual winner, but they certainly force also-rans/never-will-bes out, like Iowa will likely spell the end of the campaign for Perry and Bachman.

By Florida at the end of the month, we'll be down to 3, MAYBE 4 candidates (Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul.)  Huntsman will drop out after he has his ass handed to him in New Hampshire next week.

If Gingrich or Santorum falter, one's votes will go to the other, making it a Romney/Paul/other.  After that, Paul will "suspend" his campaigning because he'll be getting his ass kicked in primary states.  If his organization and followers can't manage better than 3rd in a caucus state like Iowa (and probably no better than 3rd in NH and 4th in SC), he'll eventually see the writing on the wall and go the hell away.

Just like he did in '08, huh?

[JohnnyReb]

...and in further news. 75% of the voters in the Iowa caucus don't like Romney.

[NHSparky]

Just like he did in '08, huh?

One can hope.  He really does need to go away.

[CG6468]

This whole stupid state-by-state thing should come to a screeching halt. Have the primary on the same day for every state so no state's residents will be left out of the loop in the choice for a candidate.

If "the" candidate is determined after three or four states, then the rest of the country is totally ignored in those residents' views and options.

[docstew]

This whole stupid state-by-state thing should come to a screeching halt. Have the primary on the same day for every state so no state's residents will be left out of the loop in the choice for a candidate.

If "the" candidate is determined after three or four states, then the rest of the country is totally ignored in those residents' views and options.

And no exit polling data released until all polls are closed

[CG6468]

And no exit polling data released until all polls are closed

100% agreement from this corner.

[Eupher]

And no exit polling data released until all polls are closed

Completely agree. But the drooling, slathering, spewing, sputtering, and spitting MSM can't help themselves in their drive to be No. 1 in putting out what THEY think reality is.

Exit polling is a travesty and should not be done in any way, shape or form. Wanna know what happened in the election? Pay attention AFTER the polls have closed.

[thundley4]

Completely agree. But the drooling, slathering, spewing, sputtering, and spitting MSM can't help themselves in their drive to be No. 1 in putting out what THEY think reality is.

Exit polling is a travesty and should not be done in any way, shape or form. Wanna know what happened in the election? Pay attention AFTER the polls have closed.

All polls open and close at the same time regardless of time zones.

[Eupher]

All polls open and close at the same time regardless of time zones.

I simply can't see that happening with a 3-hour time difference between the Least Coast and the Left Coast, not to mention Hawaii (6 hr diff between the Least Coast? I forget.)

[thundley4]

I simply can't see that happening with a 3-hour time difference between the Least Coast and the Left Coast, not to mention Hawaii (6 hr diff between the Least Coast? I forget.)

The 3 hour difference wouldn't be so bad, but I did forget about the big difference with Hawaii.

[dutch508]

All polls open and close at the same time regardless of time zones.

Not in all Blue counties. Some times the have to remain open late er to find more (D) votes.