2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe way the Iowa's caucauses work....who does it benifit?
I probably don't have the best understanding of this process but doesn't it work a lot differently than a primary? Seems I heard people go into a room or a tent and then are asked to go into a group for the candidate they support and then the people in the room debate and try to convince undecided votes to come to their group. Is this correct? If so I would think there would be a huge advantage for the candidate with a more excited base and there is no doubt with the huge crowds that Sanders supporters are extremely loyal and motivated. Have pollsters taken this into account as a wildcard? Or am I not understanding how a caucus works?
Bernin4U
(812 posts)The side with the momentum has a big advantage. The Bernie supporters will no doubt be going after MOM supporters big time.
TSIAS
(14,689 posts)Also, if a candidate (presumably O'Malley) gets less than 15 % they are able to choose from the top vote-getters. It will be interesting to see where they go.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)It's possible to "win" the Iowa caucus on caucus night but wind up with fewer delegates because it has to be re-confirmed at later state conventions.
brooklynite
(93,878 posts)...the age of Caucus-goers skews older, in part because they're used to the new rules. You have to show up at Caucus time, not when it suits your schedule, and you have to hang a round through a lot of procedural steps. Howard Dean had a lot of enthusiasm in his corner, and couldn't translate that to votes.