A huge turnout for the Iowa caucus bodes well for the Democrats

[kentuck]

Considering that people have to take the time to go to a designated home or building and go thru the process of standing in one corner for their candidate and the opponents stand in another corner, this is a much different process than just going to the polls, casting your vote, and leaving. This is where the caucus is different from the primary.

In 2000, the caucus between Gore and Bradley drew about 60,000 people. Many people are anticipating at least double that this time around. Granted, it is not the majority of Democrats that are registered to vote, but it should not be minimized as not reflective of the democratic process.

If, indeed there are as many delegates as they think, this would indicate a greater interest in the upcoming election, and unless something dramatic changes between now and November, it would bode well for the Democrats to have an excellent turnout for the November elections and there is nothing that puts fear into the hearts of Republicans as much as people going to the polls to vote. They thrive on the opposite.

[wuushew]

1. Does caucus turnout predict general election turnout?

If so, barring BBV 2004 will be a very exciting year.

[aquart]

5. It's going to be a terrifying year.

Some people enjoy that.

[stopbush]

2. The media will downplay the huge turnout, saying if 2 candidates drew

60,000 caucus goers in 2000, then 8 candidates should pull 240,000. There's no logic to it, that's just how they'll explain away the interest and enthusiasm.

[auburnblu]

4. Huge turnout is a relative term

Huge in comparison to 2000, small in comparison to other states that use a primary process. What about many second shift voters, who are almost always lower middle class/poor people. This whole caucus process to me tends to disenfranchise a lot of voters.

[auburnblu]

3. I think it bodes well for the U.S.

Too often the Iowa caucus has been decided by what less than 15% of registered voters in a party. That's not exactly encouraging. The only way I'll ever favor a caucus is if voter turnout can rival the participation percentage of a neighboring state that uses a primary. But I always think the more people that vote the better.

[Old and In the Way]

6. great minds think alike kentuck!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=138503

[kentuck]

8. Indeed !

:)

[Bandit]

7. I think a huge turnout will bode very well indeed

It means people are concerned and I say it's about time.

[Zero Gravitas]

11. Yup

Bush* is a uniter! He is uniting Dems against him. I think this is a great sign as it measn people are motivated to dump Bush* so hopefully turnout in November will likewise be up and after all we only have to make up a deficit of -500,000 votes to beat him (assuming all our votes will actually be counted this time round.)

[fishnfla]

9. Tomorrows headlines will be faced by the SOTU

Nice move, Rove.

[OneTwentyoNine]

10. Damn right,I'll bump this to the top...

Its funny as hell to watch those whores on Faux and the other Whore TV outlets have to admit to that fact. It shows those chumps that Bush isn't a cakewalk for the 04 election.

David