I'm watching the Iowa caucuses right now. They are counting by the numbers. One guy said "54" and the next guy said "56" What a system. And we base the selection of our president on that. Right now, if you believed Iowa the nominees would be Obama and Huckaby. That would mean two things. A) We are the laughingstock of the rest of the world and B) The people in Iowa are real stupid. There is one other issue if that were to happen. It would result in the largest number op members of both parties staying home on election day.

Im watching the same

live results here: C-SPAN: 2008 AP ELECTION RESULTS

top 3 democratic candidates basically tied (26% of the votes are in), Huckabee leading Romney by 10% for the republicans.

I dont understand that. A) Im not laughing B) Why would people stay home?

Obama & Huckaboob aren't necessarily locked in as the presidential candidates by those numbers, even if they do win Iowa.

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I don't pretend to know everything, educate me, and I'll try to educate you. Shouting matches and insults aren't going to convince me.

Obama and Huckabee are leading solid.

Looks like it will be Huckabee and Obama. Remind me to never visit Iowa.

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"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

That being said, damn.

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I don't pretend to know everything, educate me, and I'll try to educate you. Shouting matches and insults aren't going to convince me.

Once again, Americans say they want change, and then vote for more of the same. Yeah, Obama's got the "Change" mantra on his candidacy but he also said today that universal healthcare can be affordable especially if the country invests in preventive care like if "obese people get dieticians". I'm not kidding. He actually said that.

Predictably, Iowans voted for "Character" more than any one issue. Both Obama and Huckabee have not called for an immediate end to the wars, and both of them are out of step about immigration.

I'm still amazed by how many stupid people there are in America. Fred Thompson with 14%? He's an old, lazy idiot who has nothing going for him who is just another warmonger, and people actually left their houses, went into the cold so they could vote for his old ass. It amazes me.

Romney's night is an apparent disappointment, but 24% to me is still way more than he deserves, considering he's a great big phoney. But that's America; they like slick phoneys because they have no way to tell the difference, even if you inform them that he's changed so many of his positions.

As for Ron Paul, his 10% is right about what I thought he would get. I'm happy he finished ahead of Giuliani, but I was hoping he would eek it out over either McCain or Thompson. But for Paul, double digits is a nice start and now he gets to move on to a much smarter state with more independent-minded voters.

I sense some negativity here. Considering the opinion polls this couldnt have gone any better. Would you really want phoney flipflopper Romney to top? Or almost-republican Hillary? Or Edwards whose public performance has consisted mainly of hammering lobbyists, corporations and his fellow candidates?

Obama stands for fair policies and a restoration of America's image in the world.

Huckabee was probably voted for because he is a nice guy and appeals to religious people. McCain is a better candidate from a policy perspective but it was obvious that he didnt have a chance to beat Huckabee and Romney.

I see your point, but once again, "fly-over country" voters went with nice rather than principled and experienced.

It's still a tough road for Edwards, but if he beats Hillary for 2nd it'll be good for him.

Obama could knock Hillary out if he wins on Tuesday now.

It's still an exciting race where a brokered convention deal could happen.

I agree with Jason. Hillary now HAS to win in NH or it is cookie baking time for her. She did not like baking cookies in "92 and I doubt that she likes it any better in '08. But if she loses NH, especially to Obama, I can't see her making a comeback from that double defeat.

You know, just as an aside, if I never hear the phrase, "fly-over country" again it will be too soon. When you use it, people who live in mostly rural, western and mid-western states cringe and start looking for a shovel. Try visiting one of these places before you use that phrase again, I can guarantee that you will have a different perspective after you do. I can even recommend a few places in your area.

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If common sense were common, we would all have it (including me).

Actually the Republican caucus is done by ballots where they write down the their candidate. Then they count the ballots.

The Democratic caucus is different, but quite interesting. They all literally go stand in their favorite candidates section. Then they count hands. Any candidate that doesn't have at least 15% is deemed unviable in that precinct. So then all those people can then make a second choice candidate. Then supporters of the top candidates go and try to talk the supporters of the unviable candidates and the undecideds to come to their corner as a second choice.

Then they recount again.

There were reports in Iowa that the Richardson camp was steering its supporters toward Obama in the precincts where Richardson was unviable. If true, that could explain Obama's unexpectedly strong showing.

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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Actually the Rebuplicans voted for Huckabee. Huckabee has more experience heading a government than any other candidate.

In fact he has more experience than than any 2 other candidates combined.

Years of experience:

Huckabee - 10
Guiliani - 6
Richardson - 4
Romney - 4
Kucinich - 2
All others - 0

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... ..................
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

This has always been the way Iowa caucases. Other states do it differently. Historically though, just because a candidate wins Iowa, does not mean they will be the candidate, in fact just the opposite. Most who win in Iowa lose the national nomination.

But, what an historical event tonight. The first black American, on the democrat side to win any caucas, & a guy that strolls into town with a couple of bucks in his pocket & wins over the republicans there.

This indicates to me that the direction of the political wind in this country is defintely changing. Lets hope for the good. Reports of many republicans out to caucas for Obama. Maybe it's Obama that really can unite this county?

Tonight was a very bad night for Hillary Clinton, & the Clinton machine. She threw everything she could throw at Iowa, & came in 3rd place, behind Edwards!! I have a feeling that many democrats, & certainly most republicans do not want to see the Clinton's back in the White House. There's just too many old scandels surrounding them. The media would be relentless, if she were to win the Presidency.

Who knows what's going to happen over the next several months, but what an exciting start!