Caucus Time

[The Yankee]

The Iowa Caucuses have been meeting since 6:30 PM, Central Time...so it's been almost an hour and a half. So far, according to MSNBC coverage, 26% of the caucauses are reporting in. Guess who's on top? Kerry! They show him having about 37% with Edwards a few points behind. Dean is struggling with only about 16 or 17%...but it may just be because a certain 26% finished first. Gephardt has been reeling so far, not even registering as a "viable" candidate in some caucauses and he's running far behind now.

According to surveys by MSNBC, most of the voters going in look for a candidate that could beat Bush and also has strong stances on the issues, favoring both Kerry and Edwards. Also, many people opposed the war, which has hurt Gephardt, but Kerry, Edwards, and Dean benefit and split the remaining vote there.

We shall see what happens in the next few hours.

It may just be John Kerry taking Iowa after all, which may energize him in New Hampshire or hurt Dean in that state. Also, a surging Clark is waiting in New Hampshire as well.

 

[The Yankee]

Update from them, 32% of caucuses in.

37% Kerry
33% Edwards
18% Dean

 

[The Yankee]

Same numbers with 44% of the caucuses in.

I believe Gephardt is somewhere down around 10%.

 

[cgannon64]

With almost 50% and Dean that far behind, I think it will probalby hold. Unless that 50% is somehow all the state's Dean got his ass kicked in, but I doubt it.

All I can say is .

 

[Archer 007]

The ones that have already reported are the small ones. Dean will gain alot of ground by night's end.

 

[Norseone]

this isnt all the states its just Iowa...dont see why its a big deal

 

[SeleucusNicator]

Originally posted by Norseone
this isnt all the states its just Iowa...dont see why its a big deal

Iowa and New Hampshire, two of the least important states, are the two most important states when it comes to picking who runs for President.

They're first and they decide who has "momentum". who's viable as a candidate and who's not.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

With 62% reporting, the numbers are EXACTLY the same: Kerry 37%, Edwards 33%, Dean 18%, Gephart 11%, Kucinich 1%.

It might be time to dust off the old Edwards signs I have from last year. We'll see.

 

[The Yankee]

It does set a tone to the whole thing. Granted, I don't see why Iowa is so important, but it is what it is.

Interesting stuff to consider. Of those who said they were making up their minds very recently, Kerry and Edwards tied. Of those who opposed the Iraq war, Kerry grabbed about 25% of the vote. Of those who supported the war, Kerry grabbed 34% of the vote.

And Kerry's daughters are kind of attractive.

62% in, same percentages for the top 3.

 

[The Yankee]

67% in...same numbers.

Also, Kucinich urged those who couldn't form a viable group to switch to Edwards. When dealing with delegates, sometimes that extra little percent gives you a whole new delegate. Kerry gained 1% point with 67% in.

 

[The Yankee]

71% in, Kerry still with 38%, the rest with the same. Dean seems very confident, saying he's happy with this considering where he was one year ago.

Two hours have elapsed.

 

[The Yankee]

77% reporting. The numbers shape up like this:

Kerry 38%
Edwards 32%
Dean 18%
Gephardt 9%

It would be better to focus all after-caucus talk and pre-NH primary talk here too.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

Was anyone watching CNN a few moments ago? Wesley Clark absolutely SNAPPED on Bob Dole. It was rather amusing.

 

[Archer 007]

CNN has unofficially stated Kerry as the winner.

 

[The Yankee]

80%...MSNBC has Kerry the projected winner.

Gephardt is supposed to drop out of the race in a press conference tomorrow.

 

[The Yankee]

Originally posted by SeleucusNicator
Was anyone watching CNN a few moments ago? Wesley Clark absolutely SNAPPED on Bob Dole. It was rather amusing.

Damn, I missed it! What happened?

Gephardt is fourth, Kucinich has 1% and Clark registered 3 votes at 0%.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

I thought Kerry was cut out of the race months ago as unelectable. Guess America doesn't agree

 

[Archer 007]

Kuninich is doing alot better then I would have have thought in such an open-air system.

 

[Speedo]

Go Edwards

 

[Azale]

No, the people think Dean is unelectable. Infact, Kerry winning probably had alot to do with people thinking he could challenge Bush.

edit: this is in response to pontiuth