Caucus day is here
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By Whitney Woodward | Thursday, January 03, 2008 |
Workers prepare an electronic board where caucus results will be posted tonight at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines (AP PHOTO)
DES MOINES — For nearly a year, more than a dozen presidential candidates have trekked across Iowa’s roadways, pausing at high schools, public halls, businesses and churches to magnetize support and separate themselves from their counterparts.
The rewards of their labor will be realized tonight, when Iowans will gather at their precincts to caucus.
Over the course of several hours, the results will flood into the Polk County Convention Complex in downtown Des Moines, where more than 2,500 members of the news media will be stationed.
Barring any unforeseen problems, the parties’ winners will be determined before the night is up.
Although the pool of White House hopefuls has slimmed during the past few months, recent polls of likely caucus-goers say it’s still too close to predict with accuracy which candidate will leave the Hawkeye State with early primary season momentum and bragging rights.
“Both parties have absolutely no idea how it’s going to end,” Republican Party of Iowa executive director Chuck Laudner said Wednesday at the convention center. “They don’t know who’s going to finish first, who’s going to finish second, who’s going to finish third.”
As soon as the results are in, most candidates will board red-eye flights to other early-decision states, such as New Hampshire, whose primary is five days away.
The White House hopefuls tried to solidify their support base Wednesday at public events across the state.
Most will spend some part of today doing the same.
“It could just come down to the last push tonight and tomorrow, and what impression that leaves in the minds of the caucus-goers,” Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said in an interview Wednesday. “These numbers change dramatically in the last few weeks, and even the last few days.”
The biggest barometer of the campaigns’ strength will be the attendance ranks at precinct caucuses. If Iowans take to their precincts in unprecedented droves, it will speak to an enthused electorate and the organizational strength of the campaigns.
To participate, caucus-goers must meet eligibility requirements — such as being 18 years old by the Nov. 4 general election — and be Iowa residents.
The Republican Party’s last contested presidential caucus was in 2000, when about 87,000 GOP loyalists took to their precincts, Republican Party of Iowa spokeswoman Mary Tiffany said.
“Everybody knew Bush was going to win, going into the night,” Laudner said. “This time, with it up in the air, I’m sure it’s going to increase turnout a little bit.”
In 2004, fueled by anti-Bush sentiment, a record-breaking 124,000 Democrats caucused, Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Carrie Giddins said.
Culver said he expects the Democrats to surpass that number this year.
“Iowa’s never been more relevant, never been more important, never had more focus and attention on our state and on the caucus process,” Culver said. “We’ve arguably never had a better field of candidates.”
Because card-carrying party members traditionally comprise the bulk of caucus attendees, many have reason to believe the number of tonight’s caucus participants will be unprecedented. The number of registered Democrats in the state has swelled nearly 20 percent over the last four years, and unregistered caucus-goers can sign up at their precincts tonight.
“I think it’s got to be the best ever,” Culver said about the anticipated turnout. “I just cannot see, short of a severe winter storm, anything preventing people from really trying to be a part of history.”
Whitney Woodward can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or whitney.woodward@lee.net.
THINGS TO KNOW
What: Democrats and Republicans caucus today in Iowa.
Why: To begin the process of choosing the parties’ presidential nominees and party platforms.
Where to go: Go to the meeting site designated for your voting precinct and party. Caucus sites in Scott County have been announced by the Democrats and Republicans. Check qctimes.com/elections2008. To find your precinct or check your voter registration card, go to scottcountyiowa.com/auditor.
Time: Democratic caucuses begin at 6:30 p.m., Republicans at 7 p.m. Arrive early to allow time to find your meeting place and sign in.
Weather forecast: The weather at 6 p.m. should be mostly clear, with winds between zero and 18 mph. The temperature will be 17 to 20 degrees with a wind chill of zero to 8 degrees.
How it works: Republicans will conduct a straw poll among presidential candidates for that party. Democrats will divide into candidate preference groups to allocate “state equivalent delegates,” pledged to individual candidates.
For more information: Party or candidate headquarters. In Scott County, call (563) 324-7699 for Democrats and (563) 332-9666 for Republicans.
What’s next? On Saturday, Wyoming Republicans will caucus. The New Hampshire primary will be held Tuesday. Jan. 15 is the day of Michigan’s primary, and Jan. 19, Nevada will have its caucuses. The South Carolina Republican primary is Jan. 19, and South Carolina Democrats will have their primary Jan. 26. Florida holds its primary Jan. 29, and Maine Republicans caucus on Feb. 1. Super Tuesday will be Feb. 5, as more than 20 states have scheduled contests, including Illinois, California and New York. Other states also will have primaries and caucuses in the months leading up to the national conventions, which are Aug. 25 to 28 for Democrats in Denver, and Sept. 1 to 4 for Republicans in Minneapolis.
What’s next for Iowa? March 8 will be the Scott County Republican convention, and Democrats will hold their convention March 15. On April 19 Iowa’s 1st District Republicans will have their convention while their Democratic counterparts will meet April 26. Both Iowa Republicans and Democrats will hold their state conventions on June 14.
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