It Begins…
It’s Iowa Caucus day. The first vote of the primary season for the 2008 election. The first indication of what’s to come.
Though I am interested in politics, I must admit I am damn tired of this business already. However, I am glad that some actual voting is about to happen and we’re finally getting some movement on choosing who the nominee will be. I’m also interested to see how this early start will affect how each primary (or caucus) will affect the next and affect the overall decision making process.
Either way, I have a feeling that we’re going to get screwed again as we did the last time.
So, as the day wears on, I invite you to come share your thoughts on the process, the candidates, and the eventual result. Who do you think will come out on top?
On the Democratic side, I think the ultimate winner will be Edwards, although he may not come out first in Iowa. I think most people believe, rightly or wrongly, that their fellow Americans are not ready to vote for a woman or a black man for President. Based on that belief, they will want to avoid wasting their vote on what they predict are non-electable candidates and will cast it for the white male candidate. While Edward’s new-found radical populist rhetoric may be a stumbling block for some, most will see behind it to find the electable, middle-of-the-road candidate he truly is.
On the Republican side, I predict Romney will win. He has the support of the Republican main-stream – these are the people who actually turn out for elections. My understanding, based on television news commentary, is that Huckabee’s support, while much more passionate, may also be much less reliable when it comes to showing up at the polls. As for McCain (sp?), I think he will remain the perpetual also-ran.
I don’t think it really matters if Obama or Edwards wins, since I think the dominant story coming out of the media will be “the fall of Hillary Clinton” and how, once her shield of inevitability was breached, she went downhill.
I really can’t tell who will win today at all. I’ve thought that the Bradley Effect will take place on Caucus night for a while but who knows, white people sometimes can surprise you. (Although not always in the happy way)
Call me a fool but I believe that Edwards is the best canidate. I like Obama as a person but when you look at how he has organized his advisors there really isn’t any “change” to the establishment at all, which at this point, this country is in desperate need of right now.
That’s my $0.02.
Remember, you can only get angry if you care.
I am bald, and would love to buy one of your “Don’t Touch My Hair” shirts just for the irony…
great blog
Just don’t let it be Hillary!
It’s really anybody’s guess right now, but I think the earlier commenter had a good point – when push come to shove, will people default the the white male because they assume he’s electable over either of the other two?
I can see Hillary having possibilities because of her experience as 1st lady etc. She can play that up for sure. Obama suffers from new-kid-on-the-block, so I expect him to start slipping as the primaries progress.
As far as who’s going to win; I’m of the “I don’t know” opinion. As far as who I’d vote for, it’d be Obama. I do go into it further here:
http://mwangangi.blogspot.com/2008/01/for-whom-voting-tallies.html
I’m thinking that the Republican ticket will be Huckabee and Romney. Paul will disappoint his fans by staying Republican and not dropping out to run in a third party.
I hope that Obama wins the caucus, and that the final ticket will be Obama/Edwards. The first hope seems like more likely.
I hope that Obama wins the caucus, and that the final ticket will be Obama/Edwards.
I really don’t see an Obama/Edwards ticket happening. I remember reading somewhere that there was a great deal of friction in the Kerry/Edwards campaign because Edwards clearly didn’t want to play second fiddle to anyone. I doubt that’s changed.
Edwards, like all politicians, enjoys power. He’ll take second fiddle over nothing at all, even if only under the chance that “hey, first black president; he could get offed and leave me in office.”
It’s more likely than Obama/Clinton (though I believe that, if Hillary keeps losing, she’ll make herself look good by endorsing the Obama campaign).
It’s more likely than Obama/Clinton (though I believe that, if Hillary keeps losing, she’ll make herself look good by endorsing the Obama campaign).
If there’s any pairing more unlikely than Obama/Edwards, Obama/Clinton is it. By all accounts, Clinton and her campaign despise Obama. And I’m sure Obama and his campaign aren’t terrible fond of her either. Besides, Clinton’s narrative doesn’t fit Obama’s campaign. If Obama took Clinton as his VP, he would essentially be saying,
“That whole change thing? Yeah, that was a joke.”
We are in agreement.
Great blog post this topic is all over the news when I turn on the tv in London.
I’m an Edwards supporter, I think an Obama Edwards ticket would be great! I supported Edwards last time around, and if he doesn’t get the nomination and Obama does, I’ll support him. I’m just not a Hilliary fan.
Rainlillie–we can hope.
I hope that Obama will come out on top. I wonder will the face of a US President change the ideas people have on racism? High hopes, I know, but wouldn’t it be a bit hard to say that you hate the figurehead of your country because of his skin color?
Obama winning in Iowa was like a breath of fresh air for me. I’m hoping he can keep up this winning streak. An Obama/Clinton ticket would definitely shake up the masses, but I just don’t think it’ll ever happen.
At any rate, this is the most interesting presidential race we’ve had in decades, or ever.
I’m really happy for Obama too. I think the whole 2 party/electoral college system needs some shaking up in any way possible. I’m sick of all the hoopla too and we’ve got a whole helluva lot of campaigning/voting left.
It would be nice to know if votes placed are actual votes counted (think Florida ’02). The only chad I want to hear about is the African nation…not the hanging ones that need to be recounted…and recounted…and recounted.
At this point I am all for Obama-
However, I shudder to think of the inevitable “See? Racism is over!!!” should Obama win it all….