Can Clark beat expectations in Iowa without officially campaigning there?

[tameszu]

Maybe, maybe not.

But maybe you (if you're a Clark supporter) can help the General surprise everyone by pulling out a completely unexpected 4th place finish by participating in Operation Sodbuster:

www.sodbuster.org

Even a few letters or phone calls might go a very long way as beating expectations are everything, and expectations are so low for Clark there that turning a few thousand votes in our favor may make a huge difference!

If you have a website, you can also help the effort by downloading the Sodbuster banner below and placing the following banner-link on your site:

<a href="http://www.sodbuster.org"><img src="/sodbuster_banner.jpg" alt="Operation Sodbuster" width="350" height="75" border="1" align="middle"></a>

[giantrobot_2000]

1. ...

Thanks for the link.

I've got a totally awesome cell phone plan and I'll be making a lot of calls in my best telephone voice!

Thanks, you rock!

[DemDogs]

2. Clark will not score in Iowa

The way the caucuses work is that you have to have a minimum level of support in a precinct to get delegates from that precinct. That takes organization and coordination. Isolated Clark supporters in Iowa would have to be in the same precincts and be of sufficient number to make a difference. It won't happen.

[Renew Deal]

3. What they can do...

They hold 3-4%. They can agree to move their support to one candidate. This might push someone over the top.

[tameszu]

11. No, we are going to convert that 3-4% to some final vote share

You may need 15% overall to win delegates at the national convention, which would be unlikely even for several candidates who are actually campaigning there, but getting 15% at an individual caucus--especially those at which only a small number of people participate--is possible, and all that matters is that we show that we have more support than expected in Iowa.

[tameszu]

4. Unless of course Sodbuster is only targetting specific precincts

Like those where the total caucus turnout was very, very low.

[helleborient]

5. Maybe he should respect Iowa enough to show up at debates...

Like Joe Lieberman has.

[tameszu]

6. Joe Lieberman missed the Iowa debate in December

Which Clark attended. Maybe the General's just trying to be evenhanded.

[helleborient]

7. Then they could even it up by both being at NPR's debate this week...

But Clark is planning to not show up at this one either, according to NPR this morning.

[tameszu]

8. Link please

And is Lieberman confirmed to be there?

[helleborient]

9. This is what was said on the radio this morning...go to npr.org

Check the show "Morning Edition"

They usually have links for audio files for all of the reports.

They said all but Sharpton, Edwards, and Clark are expected to participate.

The debate is this afternoon.

[tameszu]

10. Yep, found it--in any case, Clark is trying to catch Edwards who's in 4th

So he's in decent company there.

[TexasSissy]

12. I don't think he has expectations for IA, so no goal to meet.

As for the NPR debate the Dean supporters are posting about, I've never heard of it. I guess I don't get NPR here. Is this a northern thing?

[Kathleen04]

14. NPR

stands for National Public Radio, so I they have it all over.

But, here's a link to the NPR site, it has audio from the debate:

http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/debate2004/index.html

[Kahuna]

13. I doubt it. I can see Kerry or Edwards coming in at third..

Fourth for Clark is a loss.

[Kathleen04]

15. I'm already..

set to send 10 letters through sodbusters. I think it's worth a shot. I think if a bunch of people sent 5-10 letters or made some calls that perhaps it could add up, but I'm sending the bulk of my letters to NH and Feb. 3rd states.