why was turnout in iowa higher than usual

[JI7]

i read that the voter turnout for the iowa caucus was higher than usual. why do you think this was ?

[mastein]

1. It was a real race this year. first time since 88

92 Harkin ran and got 85+%, 96 and 2000 were clinton and gore and the caucuses were a formality. 88 was the last important caucus.

[JI7]

3. was bill bradley ever competetive with gore in iowa ?

i know in new hampshire there was a point when bill bradley looked like he could win. was this ever a case in iowa, or was it always safely with gore ?

and now that you mention it, it does make sense, harkin running made the caucus not as important to others who focused on new hampshire. so 1988 would have been the last year where it was more important. i think i did hear the turnout was better in 88 than now. but i do hope this means we get more democratic voters in the general election .

[Ficus]

17. Bradley got 35% or so

not very good for a two man race. We had an awesome turnout! Hopefully this will translate into a US Senate seat and some congressional seats.

[jedicord]

People are Tired of Bush

and ready to make a change. They're mobilized.

NH's turnout ought to scare the pants off Bush and his handlers.

We Want Our Country Back!

[judge_smales]

5. Truth!

My Dad hasn't voted since '88 but he will this year. He's pretty much a centrist but he knows a bad President when he sees one.

[TexasPatriot]

2. Because a LOT of people dont like Bush

none of the candidates has a lock on those of us that want to see "Temporary" go back to the wood shed.

[AP]

4. So many flavors. So many DELICIOUS flavors. So much at stake.

[Monte Carlo]

6. What was the turnout, anyway?

I remember hearing that it was 3% last time around. A higher turnout is a good omen for Democrats in the general election.

[Algorem]

7. So what did all those Republican operatives I kept hearing had been

sent into Iowa do?

[Algorem]

8. Crickets?

Let's see,I have my list of what they might've been there to do."#1.To help Dean."Guess I can cross that one off...

[creativelcro]

9. freepers.

[TLM]

10. I think Moore was right... Dean got people fired up.

Some for him and some against him... but he motivated them to get out to the caucus.

[Capn Sunshine]

11. One estimate:45% of those voting were repubs that re-registered

Kind of puits a whole new spin on the "Dean's the one we want " meme doesn't it?

[redqueen]

12. Got a source / link for that?

Very interesting, indeed.

[windansea]

13. new Dean meme?? Iowa was freeped??

LOL freakin LOL

[The Magistrate]

14. Defeat, My Friend

Can only be the product of dark forces; the people cannot possibly reject their annointed champion....

[windansea]

15. even Howard is not saying that!!

:)

[Algorem]

16. Hear-hear!Pip-pip!Quite.Quite indeed.Quite quite quite.

[Ficus]

18. didn't see any freepers

for Dean or Kerry or Edwards. They really would have a hard time fucking with the caucuses.