Redstate

Posted at 11:50am on Jan. 4, 2008 What I saw at the caucus in Caroll

(well, on television...)

By Mark Kilmer

In an indirect sense, I attended the Republican caucus Thursday evening at the Des Moines Area Community College in Carroll, Iowa. Yeah, while the other kids were watching Hume and Cooper and that lame sportscaster, I watched the caucus live on C-SPAN2. (A Dem caucus was on the main network, the GOP on 2.)

The opening scene was one of people filing past a table, showing ID, and receiving a ballot. They wandered off camera to the caucus room. The man seated behind the table on the far left, nearest the camera, brought the late Henry Hyde to mind. It was the hair: solid and white.

The people's voices created a mini-din and C-SPAN took phone calls.

As the proceedings were about to begin, the scene switched to the caucus room, which was a large, cleared-out classroom with many rows of chairs and people standing to the sides of the chairs and behind the chairs. These Republicans were there to participate, and they brought to mind an earlier caller to the program. More on him in a bit.

A fellow in a suit with a Romney sticker affixed to the front stood in front of the gathering and tested the microphones. He asked if there were anyone from the campaigns who would like to speak. This fellow was John Werden, chairman of the caucus.

A gal with a Rudy sticker led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. A young pastor led the prayer, thanks to God Almighty "in the name of Jesus Christ, our savior" for the country, for freedom, for democracy, and for the process. No stickers on the pastor. A high school girl in a red top with white polka dots came out and sang, without musical accompaniment, God Bless the U.S.A., and for this, she received her due applause.

This was all so American and it all seemed so wonderful, and it brought to mind an earlier caller to the program. More on him in a bit.

Read On…

Posted in 2008 | Carroll | GOP | Iowa Caucus — Comments (2)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 4:16pm on Jan. 3, 2008 The Iowa Caucuses: Predictions For The Democratic Side

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Edwards: 31

Obama: 30

Clinton: 24

Biden: 7

Richardson: 4

Dodd: 3

Kucinich: 1

UPDATE: D'oh! I foolishly forgot about people dropping out. Once the votes are taken for the top three, I predict Edwards at 36%, Obama at 35% and Clinton bringing up the rear at 29%.

Posted in 2008 | Democrats | Iowa Caucus — Comments (28)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 4:15pm on Jan. 3, 2008 The Iowa Caucuses: Predictions For The Republican Side

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Oh, I'm probably wrong in making these predictions. But if I'm right, it would be dazzling.

Anyway, here goes:

Thompson: 22

Romney: 21

Huckabee: 20

McCain: 17

Paul: 11

Giuliani: 9.

Posted in 2008 | Iowa Caucus | Republicans — Comments (68)/ Email this page » / Read More »