Roll call for Iowa

[haroldgiowa]

How many of us on DU are Iowa Voters. I recognise maybe twelve who post on a somewhat regular basis on the Iowa forum. Just curious how many more there might be. We do use our Iowa forum at a higher per centage then any other state. We are fifth out of fifty in state postings. Where we are around 25th to 30th in population.

I was born in Keokuk many many years ago. I moved to Cedar Rapids in 2004. I have never voted for a republican. I take that back. I did give the two supervisor candiates in 2000 a write in vote for soil conservation. Thought they might know a little more about dirt then the democrats. God knows they have it to an art using it in Lee County.

[rurallib]

1. I confess to being an Iowa voter

and I confess to having voted for Jim Leach a couple times. My eyes were not opened on his 'bipartisanship' for quite a while.
Not sure what you are looking for here. I was born and raised in Iowa City which probably helps explain my liberal bend. That and being raised in a Catholic Church that used to preach tolerance and love for your fellow man, war was wrong etc.
We moved to one of the small surrounding towns to raise the kids. But Iowa City is what we really consider to be 'home'.

[haroldgiowa]

5. I am looking for a couple of things

1. I am just curious how many Iowans are on DU and hope to pull them to post more often in their home state.

2. I am also questioning the latest poll. I notice alot of Biden infiltration the last few days and at the same time he did well in the latest poll we have. I would be tickled if I didn't suspect a tainted poll.

[CindyKay]

22. Not From Iowa but I Hope Biden Wins

Good Luck To Biden , I am in Florida but I wish I could be there in Iowa to Help Him. Right Now All I Can Do is Write On-Line & Send Biden Money. I Send Him Money Every Week.I am Looking Forward to a Big Win for Biden & America!

[Bluzmann57]

2. Well, I'm 50 years old

Been registered to vote in Iowa since I was 18, and have voted in every local, state, and national election since then. And I can say that I have never ever voted republican in my life. See, in 1972 my parents worked hard for George McGovern and I helped out, although I must confess that it was mostly to meet girls. So I have a Democratic Party pedigree that goes back to not only '72, but all the way back to birth. Grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River and now live in a larger city along the River. And I plan on being an Iowa voter until I am either dead or totally incoherent (some think I am now).

[Critters2]

13. I was born in Davenport. But in Illinois now--

temporarily.

[Debi]

3. I believe I am an official Iowan now

Born in Wisconsin (go Pack!)
Raised in Montana (go Bobcats!)
I have lived in Iowa for 21 years (Go Panthers!)

I confess to being a reformed republican (I caucuses for Dick Lugar in 1996) but believe I have earned my Democratness in the last decade ;).

Welcome to the Iowa DU Forum all visitors - I have a strange feeling that on January 4th our 'regulars' will be the only posters until General Election time.

:hi:

[petersjo02]

4. I'm 66 years old,

born on December 7, 1941, so that day lives in infamy for more than one reason. I was raised in Humboldt/Dakota City, and even now consider that home. We moved to North Liberty in 1986 and to the country north of West Branch in 1991. Mr. petersjo02 retired from Mercy Hospital, IC, and I worked at ACT back when it was a great place to work, retiring in '03. I have a vague memory of my dad's sadness when FDR died. Even as a grade-school student, I paid attention to presidential elections, going so far back that I remember arguing with my friends about the merits of Stevenson over Eisenhower. Began to participate more actively when Roxanne Conlin ran for gov in the early 80s. She struck a cord in me, and I was outraged at the treatment she got from "establishment" politicians. Then we all suffered through 16 years of Gov. Branstad (Braindead). Was an active participant in politics through the mid 90s, when some health issues began to rear their ugly heads, and I no longer had/have the energy to be an on-the-ground activist. I follow politics on the Web through great sites such as this one, TPM, C&L, etc. and will be at my caucus Thursday evening supporting John Edwards.

[Counciltucky]

6. Iowa voter here.

I'm a mere 26 years of age, and I go to school in Louisiana right now, but I am an Iowa voter, born and raised in Council Bluffs, progressive to the core.

[Tashca]

7. I'll be here alittle more

I did vote on your poll for Biden. So yes I am one of those who doesn't post here. After this danged caucus is over I will probably post more.
I was born in Washington and am 6th generation from there. I have since moved to the Cedar Rapids area and am living in Hiawatha. I was 6 when JFK was killed. I still remember my teachers hugging each other in the hallway for support then going home to my mother crying......she did this for days. That was a traumatic experience for a 6 year old. My mother is about as progressive as you get and my father was anti-government about anything. He did tend to vote Democrat. I was very active in local and state politics in most of the ninties......then was put off by party politics as I saw how things really were. Clinton cinched it for me and I denounced my party affiliation and became an independent. Then of course came the election of 2000 and the aftermath......I got my head back on straight and have slowly become involved again. I still don't like the party system, but know unless something drastic happens.....we are stuck with it.

[haroldgiowa]

10. A word about Washington

Every other year I would go to the Keokuk Washington football game to watch the big farm boys beat up on our smaller river town boys. I just didn't think it was fair the size of the boys they grew in Washington.

Keokuk won the state championship this year, go Chiefs, but I think Washington gave them a run for their money. Keokuk's quarterback will be signing a letter of intent for Iowa this spring. Hope he gets to play for them.

I got discouraged with the party in the eighties and went into the nineties. Then I got involved on the internet on local issues and got hooked again. I thought I had more to offer then putting signs in peoples yards and wanted to be listened to. I built my own backing via the internet and wa la, the local democrats began calling me and asking for advice. I still preach the power of using the internet to help get the message out. The old system is still reluctant except to raise funds. How hard would it be fro the candidate to answer our questions here.

[Tashca]

11. Nice to meet you.

I have a nephew who played for the Washington team. I don't follow them anymore. I remember well competing against them river folk from Keokuk. They were tough as nails.....that's what I remember.

[Cairycat]

8. Born in Marshalltown, live in Cedar Falls

lived enough places in between to know that Iowa's the only place I could really be happy.

My parents both believed, "If you don't vote, don't bitch." We subscribed to three newspapers when I was growing up, and they were all read. They were Republicans, and did a certain amount for the party. So I started my political life as a Rethug. It didn't seem quite so evil then.

Another influence was a high school family living teacher who strongly believed that getting involved with the party was the best way for an individual to express him or herself politically. If you didn't like things about your party, you could work to change them.

I saw the light and started voting Democratic in college. My siblings are both Dems also, and after my mother's death, my father increasingly favored the Democrats, in large part because of the party's position on choice.

You know, a couple years ago at training for ballot chasers, I talked with a woman who read DU regularly. But she said she'd never dream of posting. That's too bad, and certainly GD and GDP are intimidating. But this forum - no way! I sure hope we hear from some new people.

One more thing about me - my sig line is one of the numerous quotations in the state capitol.

[haroldgiowa]

9. Glad to hear from you

At one time the republican party was a good party. Then in the eighties they went to obstructionist politics under the disguise of conservatism and religion with the blessing of their savior, Reagan. I don't fault anybody who once was a republican. We need a second party to keep some of us democrats honest. I believe in the checks and balances set in our constitution. It is just that the republicans went away from the constitution that protects its citizen to a policy that makes the rich richer.

I have always said there are two types of republican voters,those who are republicans and vote republican, and those who should be democrats and vote republican. If we can get those who think they are republicans to vote for who supports them, the republicans could only be that check they need to be.

[Rambis]

12. Ames native

now in Iowa City area (hawks suck!:) We will be at the Irish Democrat for a DU meetup on Friday night January 4th. We will get there between 5:30 and 6:00pm I would think so please join us.

[haroldgiowa]

26. Hawks?

I am not going to root for the Hawks again until they are back on television. They look just like the Cyclones, Panthers or Bulldogs on the radio.

[HuskiesHowls]

14. I do a lot of reading, but not much posting

I grew up in a small town (less than 500 pop.) about 30 miles from Des Moines, and now live in another small town about the same distance, different direction. I remember staying up to watch the 1960 Democratic Convention, and being home sick, listening to the radio the day JFK was assassinated. I haven't always voted Democratic, as sometimes the better person for an office was a Republican (back when all Republicans were "Eisenhower Republicans").

I don't post here very much; I don't feel that a "me, too" post adds very much to a discussion. I also have a problem that I come up with some great ideas at work, but then forget to post them here until its too late. But I definitely do a lot of reading....just not in GD or GDP very often!!

I do read a lot, though. I've read all of Bob Woodward's books on Bush, I'm reading John Dean's "Conservatives Without Conscience" now, and my favorite book is an 1892 text on Civil Government: my favorite sentence from that text is (paraphrased) "...taxes are the dues we pay to live in this country club...".

[haroldgiowa]

15. I try to give substance when I post

In three years I have 130 something post. Every once in awhile I will post I agree or a me too, but most times I try to have some substance. Others might not agree with me, but I don't always agree with them. I try to stay positive over all. I also do my homework. I use the links when available and make my own interpretation.

[youthere]

16. Iowa voter here...

Born in iowa, raised in wisconsin, came back and am raising my family here. Live in Eastern iowa, Cedar county, not too far from ruralib.

[haroldgiowa]

17. And a biden supporter

Who could ask for more.

[youthere]

21. Go BIDEN!

[Blue Gardener]

18. Native Iowan and I vote

Been voting for Iowa Democrats since I was 18. I'm somewhat older than that now.:hi:

[mruddy]

19. Lived my whole life in eastern Iowa

Born in Clinton, moved to IC for college, now live just SW of IC in the middle of nowhere.

Have always voted for democratic candidates. Almost voted for Ross Perot. Wish I had. I think the US and the world would be a much better place had he won. I've been holding my breath for the past 20+ years hoping these war-mongering, money grubbing, egotistical, corporate, playground bullies don't blow the world up. With Edwards as our next president, I'll finally be able to exhale. It will be so nice to change our focus to the well-being of people instead of war and greed.

[haroldgiowa]

20. My second choice is Edwards NT

If it looks like Biden can't move on in my caucus I will try to get others to move to Edwards. I would have caucus for Edwards in 2004, but due to health reasons had to stay home. At that time I never thought I would have a second chance.

[L84TEA]

23. iowa voter for Edwards!

Once a Dem always a Dem... it would take a Dem Prez like Bush to convert me! lol
Elephants make me cringe.

[Wapsie B]

24. Yo!

I grew up in Fayette county, lived in Black Hawk, Linn, Johnson, Marshall, and now Cerro Gordo counties and have voted ever since I was old enough.

[efilon]

25. I'm here

One precinct in North Liberty, my son was there,had over 500 caucus-goers.

Coralville 04 turnout 325..was told it was a big turn out for that precinct. My first time at a caucus here. Different precinct in 2004.

Hey L84T, talked to the Des Moines people..they had fun too!
Emma is an alternate and her other grandma is a delegate so she will be going to the county convention there. She sounded really excited and happy.

[Wapsie B]

27. My precinct in Mason City had almost 170 people.

I used to live in North Liberty and Coralville.

[emmadoggy]

28. Another Iowan reporting in...

I was born in Mitchell county, mostly raised in Howard county - my hometown is on the Mitchell/Howard county line. Lived in Wisconsin for about 6 years, came back to Iowa - Cedar Rapids - for about 6 months, then moved to SE Minnesota for about 7 years, before ending up back in Iowa. I'm in Allamakee county now, for about the last five years - red county in a sea of blue.

My Mom is a Democrat (though a fairly conservative one, I'd say) and my Dad was a Republican. They weren't very political (well, my Dad was a little more so). I never really knew where I fell on the spectrum - didn't really know what the differences were back in my younger days. Can't say I never voted for a Republican because I probably did back in my early voting years - not being familiar with candidates in smaller races I usually just voted the incumbent or the name I was more familiar with. Bush Sr. is probably who made me realize I was a Democrat and Clinton cinched it for me. I have steadily moved further left as I have gotten older. DU probably pushed me even further left. It's only been the last few years that I have become more politically aware and involved (Bush II did that for me!)

I spend a LOT of time on DU, but don't post a lot. I kinda go in spurts with posting. I stop in on the Iowa forum from time to time to see what's going on with the "locals".

Hello, fellow Iowans!!


:hi:

[CornField]

29. We use the Iowa forum so much

because Debi and I are too chatty & snarky. :)

As I think most already know, I'm a transplant from Oklahoma -- married a corn boy. We've lived in Iowa now for *gasp* almost 12 years? Maybe it's time to quit saying that I'm an Okie?

[Debi]

33. Lady, it's in the water (being an Okie...not the snarkiness)

Just like my being a Packer fan - no matter where ya move - home is where you were from :hi:

See you tonight?! Yea :bounce:

[progressoid]

30. Born and raised in North West IA (seriously Republican area)

College at UNI. Couple years on the west coast. Couple more in Nebraska.

Came back to IA "temporarily" to get married twenty years ago.

Holy crap. I'm middle aged. ;(

[Pirate Smile]

31. Hi. I'm in Cedar Rapids. I grew up here since 3rd grade. Moved away

for law school and working in KC and Denver for a few years before moving back to CR.

:hi:

[Frustratedlady]

32. Count me in. I just located this forum to post our caucus report...

sad and sorry as it is for Biden.

I'll have to check in more often. It will take a while to pick myself up off the floor after last night's results, but I'll manage to do just that.

Hello, everyone. I'm from Burlington in the southeast corner, just above the appendix. I believe the statehouse refers to this area as the Garden of Eden of Iowa, but I hate to tell them that 50% of that is probably weeds.

Good state...great people.