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Quixote1818

(28,904 posts)
Thu Jan 14, 2016, 02:07 AM Jan 2016

The 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?

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The way the Iowa's caucauses work....who does it benifit? (Original Post) Quixote1818 Jan 2016 OP
Yes, pretty much Bernin4U Jan 2016 #1
I would say Sanders TSIAS Jan 2016 #2
OTOH Iowa rewards having an infrastructure at the state party level Recursion Jan 2016 #3
Yes but... brooklynite Jan 2016 #4

Bernin4U

(812 posts)
1. Yes, pretty much
Thu Jan 14, 2016, 02:17 AM
Jan 2016

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)
2. I would say Sanders
Thu Jan 14, 2016, 04:49 AM
Jan 2016

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)
3. OTOH Iowa rewards having an infrastructure at the state party level
Thu Jan 14, 2016, 08:10 AM
Jan 2016

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)
4. Yes but...
Thu Jan 14, 2016, 08:17 AM
Jan 2016

...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.

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