Thank you Galleh for this installment in civic education. It will be a
journey into value-democracy to compare and contrast the head count to the
proportionate poll.
Thanx again. Haruna.
In a message dated 1/2/2008 3:43:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Basic facts on the Iowa caucuses
By The Associated Press
Some questions and answers about the Iowa caucuses this Thursday:
Q: What is a caucus?
A: A party meeting at the precinct level at which citizens express their
candidate preferences and pick delegates to their county conventions. It's
the lowest level of party politics — the real grassroots. These meetings,
held in each of the state's nearly 1,800 precincts, typically draw anywhere
from a handful of people in rural areas to hundreds in suburban areas.
Q: Who takes part?
A: Anyone who is old enough to vote in the November general election and is
a member of the party is eligible, but traditionally only a small number of
Iowans show up. This year, about 120,000 to 150,000 people are expected to
vote in the Democratic caucuses, while 80,000 to 90,000 are likely to
participate in the GOP contest.
Q: Why is it politically significant?
A: Persuading a group of average citizens to show up in support of a
candidate is considered a sign of organizational strength. Each candidate
courts politicians and activists at the state and local level in hopes of
getting strong numbers of supporters to show up and participate. At the same
time, the caucus system allows candidates to develop and hone their message
before relatively small groups.
Q: What happens at a caucus?
A: Participants, led by a chairman or chairwoman, indicate their preferences
for their party's presidential nomination, pick delegates to their county
conventions and discuss party business, including their party platforms.
Q: What happens next?
A: Delegates chosen at the caucuses go to the county convention later in the
year. There, the field is winnowed and delegates are chosen for the district
convention. This happens again at district meetings and again at the state
convention, where delegates are named to attend the party's national
convention.
Q: Why are the numbers different?
A: The Republicans essentially hold a straw poll — a head count — at their
precinct caucuses, reporting real numbers. One head, one vote.
The Democrats do not report straight numbers, but use a mathematical formula
to determine support for a presidential candidate in percentages. A
candidate must have the support of 15 percent of those present at any
meeting, precinct caucuses through the state convention, to remain "viable."
This is meant to ensure greater consistency throughout the process.
Q: Will there be exit polls in Iowa?
A: Yes. The Associated Press and the television networks will survey voters
as they enter the caucus sites. Those surveys will help readers understand
what issues and qualities motivated Iowans to vote for a specific candidate.
Q: How did the Iowa caucuses get started?
A: A commission appointed after the riots disrupted the 1968 Democratic
National Convention recommended proportionate representation and affirmative
action. Iowa Democrats decided to use new rules in 1972, adopting a
regulation that there must be a month between events — the caucuses, county,
district, state and national conventions. The caucuses wound up being held
as early as January.
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