Just a little glimmer from Iowa

[CoffeeCat]

So, I've got my precinct lists and I've been calling and canvassing in my precinct. We're doing very well by the way.

One thing that has happened, is that I am finding Sanders supporters who are under the radar. They are not even on my list.

Our lists are people who have voted D before. Many of these people are Indies (and many of them are caucusing for Bernie). I've found NOT ONE Indie who supports Clinton. I find them everyday for Bernie. And keep in mind, my suburb is fairly conservative. This gives me hope, because Clinton tends to do well in more conservative areas with Bernie besting her in the liberal strongholds.

One thing that has been very cool is that when I knock on a door and talk with the men and women who answer the door, they'll say, "Yes, we're Bernie supporters and so is our daughter."

Well. I don't have their daughter on my list, because during the last caucus--she was ten years old--and she's never voted! Isn't that mind blowing? So, I add their daughter to my list. These families are all caucusing together. Our suburb is all families--and I have added plenty of 18 year olds who, until now, have not even been on our radar. So nice!

I'm finding quite a few Sanders supporters this way. Canvassing for Bernie in Iowa is like a treasure hunt, and let me tell you, I'm finding quite a few gems along the way.

Must go...time to hit the pavement!

[Attorney in Texas]

1. Thank you so much for the great work you are doing!

[Jarqui]

2. Thanks for the anecdote

Good for you!

[Nanjeanne]

3. Thank You

wonderful to hear and thanks for pounding the pavement searching for treasure!

[Blus4u]

4. People like you will make the difference!!!

Keep up the good work, CCAT

Peace

[thereismore]

6. I guess Bernie does well in very liberal areas and relatively better than Hillary in very

conservative areas. She has no crossover appeal.

Thank you so much for the field report! So many positive signs. Thank you!

[Fawke Em]

7. I have heard that the Sanders campaign is also trying to get Iowa college students

back to their home precincts in order to vote so that the delegates aren't all concentrated in the cities that have colleges and/or universities.

The campaign, itself, has rented vans and folk on Reddit are organizing ride shares via a mobile app.

Of course, this only works for students who are from Iowa and attending an Iowa college, but I get the point.

[CoffeeCat]

84. Wow! That is a fantastic idea

...and that is great news to hear that they're doing that.

Makes a lot of sense. Bernie has extreme support in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City. Those areas will be Bernie blowouts. Would make so much sense to have some of those kids return home and caucus in areas that are closer.

I know several parents in my area who have kids in Iowa colleges, and it would be great to have them here where the race is tighter.

[Fawke Em]

94. Morning Joe's Tweet including video shows Mark Halperin talking about that plan.

Can't find the video yet on the main MSNBC site, so you'll have to watch it from MJ's Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Morning_Joe/status/692311105272565760

[CoffeeCat]

95. Yes thank you!

I just saw the video on Morning Joe.

I will say, Mark Halperin has given very measured, professional coverage to the Sanders campaign. He's been covering Sanders for a while now, and I saw him at a Bernie rally. He was in the room when precinct captains from my area met Bernie Sanders.

There's so much junk out there right now. The media is trying to further so many hilarious narratives. "Is Bernie too liberal" was the meme for yesterday.

We'll see it all before the Iowa caucuses, as the media tries to punch holes in his Iowa Caucus momentum.

It's ridiculous. Halperin has been terrific though. Both Halperin and Jon Heilemann have provided some of the best coverage of the Iowa caucuses on their show With All Due Respect.

[Robbins]

8. Thanks for your posts

nice to hear from on the ground.

[antigop]

9. Come on, Iowa! Get this right, PLEASE!!! Thanks, Coffeecat. nt

[bkkyosemite]

10. Fantastic. Thank you for letting us know!!!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

11. Thanks, CoffeeCat!

[CharlotteVale]

12. K&R

[dorkzilla]

13. Thanks CoffeeCat!

Our local volunteer organization is arranging for carpooling to canvas for NH (I'm in suburban NYC) but my MS has gotten really bad in the last month to the point where I can't walk very well (it may be because the cold weather exacerbates it) so all I can do right now is host and feed volunteers. It sucks though because I really want to go!

Keep up the good work and keep us posted!

[Duval]

14. CoffeeCat, your stamina and dedication are amazing.

Thank you from this household for helping us get Bernie elected. You are TOPS!

[panader0]

15. Thanks for your work.

[MondoCane]

16. While canvassing...

I've stumbled on houses with Bernie signs that were not on our radar and have even gotten one to volunteer.

[CoffeeCat]

86. Don't you love it when that happens?

I think there are a lot of hidden Bernie supporters out there. Given that Bernie supporters include Independents, some Republicans and people who are new to politics--there could be some surprises this year.

[SheilaT]

17. So do you think the turnout will result in overflow crowds?

In 2008 Kansas did caucuses, and at precincts all over the state thousands of caucus-goers stood outside for hours in rain, sleet, and snow while the caucuses were done in shifts. The turnout was amazing, and overwhelmingly for Obama.

Is anyone in Iowa planning for vastly more caucus goers than usual?

[CoffeeCat]

85. It's very hard to tell

what will happen with turnout.

From what I've heard, they expect crowds less than 2008, but bigger than 2004. I think that makes sense. I do expect heavy turnout though.

[AzDar]

18. K & R

[JonLeibowitz]

19. K&R. CoffeeCat, Thanks for all you do and especially your updates!

Keep it up! I'll do my part and donate $$.

[dragonfly301]

20. Thanks for the update

and thanks for the hours you've spent getting out the vote!

[Divernan]

21. You are a patriot & I thank you!

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. This Sanders supporter thanks you for all your hard work.

[Gmak]

23. You're doing great work, thanks so much.

Wish I could be there canvassing with you. The bit I was able to do earlier in the fall was inspiring.

[daleanime]

24. Thank you....

for all the work that you're doing!

[Samantha]

25. Wow, what an exciting read

This is so wonderful to get first-hand updates of a positive nature about what is really going on in Iowa.

Thank you so much for all that you have done and continue to do.

Sam

[Fumesucker]

26. I'm starting to think it might be a tsunami moment in American politics

Thanks for your reports Coffee Cat, they are greatly appreciated.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

27. To listen to the pundits you would think you are in danger for supporting a SOCIALIST.

[sadoldgirl]

28. Thank you for your reports from the ground!

Keep up your spirits, and when you take another break
from canvassing, let us know more.

I think all of us love to hear from you.

[ViseGrip]

29. Thanks CoffeeCat!

[merrily]

30. Millennials, Millennials, Millennials. MFUA! (Millennials, Fed Up Already)

If they caucus or vote in the primary, they are likely to go for Sanders.

Problem is making sure people of all ages know the importance of showing up for caucuses and primaries.

From a relative whose S.O. is a professional writer, although not a professional political writer: "I am for Sanders. I don't know about M. (his SO). I asked her, but she said it's almost a year away!"

I pointed out to my relative, who went to Stuyvesant* and did very well in college, that, while the election was (then) over a year away, Sanders was not going to make it to the general unless people started supporting him ASAP and voting for him in the primary, which was not very far away.

Sigh. Why do so many not learn this stuff in school?

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuyvesant_High_School

[mountain grammy]

31. I think it's true, we're just the tip of the iceberg.

[oldandhappy]

32. Thank you lots and lots

both for your story and for your work. Grateful to you.

[Z_California]

33. Love your posts CoffeeCat!

Thank you for all you're doing!

[Betty Karlson]

34. Thanks for the good news.

And good luck with the treasure-hunt!

[ypsfonos]

35. Glad that you are on Iowa ground

for us!

[Faux pas]

36. Great info thanks!

[leftcoastmountains]

37. Here's another Big Thank you!!!

Those of us in the later states are depending on you!!!!!

[karynnj]

38. Your and other accounts from Iowa are, to me, the most interesting things I have read this month on

DU. Good luck in all you are doing. Not just because you are for Bernie, but because you are doing the work of this being basic democracy.

[retrowire]

39. CoffeeCat has quickly become one of my favorite DUers.

You are the eyes on the ground!

[beltanefauve]

53. Mine too

Her reports have been invaluable. I read them.aloud to my husband every morning.

[Uncle Joe]

40. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the sharing, CoffeeCat.

[WillyT]

41. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[Awknid]

42. Thanks for all of your hard work

And for the reports. You deserve to have Bernie win! I know we will!

[libdem4life]

43. I'm so jealous. :) Thanks.

[Lorien]

44. I was at my doctor's office recently chatting with his nurse practioner

I mentioned a van in the parking lot that was covered in Bernie stickers. It wasn't hers, but she said "Oh my gosh, I hope you're not a Republican, because I just have to say that I LOVE Bernie Sanders! I don't usually vote because I'm Independent and neither party represents me, but I love Bernie! I volunteer with a local Bernie group and my Republican parents are Bernie supporters now too! We're all changing our registration to Democrat to vote in the primaries. It's the first time in my life that I've really cared about politics!

Something tells me that she's far from the only one!

(This was in Florida).

[ejbr]

45. Thank you!

[Duckfan]

46. This is the first post I've read while having my morning coffee

And i must say coffeecat you just warmed my heart. So awesome that the first post I read is the best post.

Rock & Roll !!!!!!

[CoffeeCat]

83. I wish everyone could come here

And feel the good vibes that I'm feeling.

There's a lot of disinformation out there. There's also quite a bit of negativity from Hillary supporters that is posted and it gets amplified with responses and snark.

I think a lot of that is designed to make Sanders supporters feel bad--and ultimately make people feel that Sanders can't win.

We just shouldn't believe any of it. It's certainly not what I experience.

[KingCharlemagne]

47. Your reports continually inspire and give hope to those of us in

primary-irrelevant California, so much so that I may phone bank for Bernie this weekend, schedule permitting.

Please keep it up as your pavement pounding allows! Much appreciated.

[Left Coast2020]

91. I just hope all the other boots on the ground are as pumped as we are.

If the energy is at a high level, this may be the best political season in 50 years. Trying to think of a come from behind football game but can't at the moment.

And even if you are a little tired, sometimes you just ignore the bod and keep pushing a little further because of the significance of what is occurring here. I know I did it once myself.

[blondie58]

48. God bless you!

I have always loved your name- two of my favorite things!
I need to get off my duff here in CO and start phone banking!
My husband just had his knee replaced, so is am a bit of a nurse right now.
I Really think people are Going to be Surprised!

[PatrynXX]

49. I'd say our neighborhood in Cedar Falls is rather red

across the way we have some German Conservatives and on the corner we have a former local extreme right wing Politician and those two neighbors don't get alone whatsoever so naturally our German neighbors might be Conservative but since the politician pulled some strings and built on the German owners land, the German owners can't cross their own land, or risk going to jail. Think they are moving to a nursing home now but can't say what'll happen with the new owners. Our other neighbors are also rather red. Mostly seen Clinton canvassers here. and some of them clearly know I'm bernie and they aren't always very nice. Good way to turn me off. Obviously not making as bad a mistake as they did in 2008 but we'll see. They may have changed our Caucus site. It used to be at UNI.

[CoffeeCat]

57. Find your Iowa caucusing location at this link!

So easy!

Best of luck to you. I imagine that Bernie will do very well in Cedar Falls.

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

[PatrynXX]

58. I did although for some reason they did indeed move it

everything else is still at UNI. guess we got way too big for that room the Obama lines were so long they couldn't actually fit them in the room. oh and 4-5 min after 7pm the Clinton supporters came in. (well the ones who were supposed to show up with their ads etc. John Edwards was there first. we had to move the posters over. ) glad we came in 30 min like we were supposed to. Now we get an entire Gym

[CoffeeCat]

59. Oh that's great!

They're probably anticipating a high turnout in your precinct!

We got moved too. We're in a larger room, so that is good. Our caucus was heavily attended in 08.

It will be interesting to compare the crowds this year.

From what I understand, they expect the crowds to be not as big as 2008, but bigger than 2004 when Kerry won.

I definitely think this cycle will trend toward 2008.

[ViseGrip]

50. Woo Hooo!

[MuseRider]

51. Thank you for your work

for Bernie!

This is great and I would expect it is very good for Iowa.

[Le Taz Hot]

52. First off CC,

YOU ROCK!! That is such great inside information -/ the invaluable kind.

Second, there's a whole bunch of Californians about to descend on Iowa this weekend to help you knock on doors. I wish I could have been one of them.

[CoffeeCat]

54. Yes, two from Silicon Valley are staying in our home

We're also hosting someone from Seattle and another from North Carolina.

It's going to be a busy weekend in our house!

So fun that many are coming from other parts of the country to help get Bernie supporters to the caucuses!

[Le Taz Hot]

55. Well, if you ever want to come to

California you have an open invitation. I'm actually readying my house for the primaries and the General as I plan on making my house Bernie Central.

[CoffeeCat]

56. Thank you everyone for the nice comments!

It has been fun being here in Iowa and reporting what I see and hear. I hope that we have DU peeps in NH, NV and SC and Super Tuesday states--because let me tell you--there is so much disinformation that the Clinton camp puts out there. It's ridiculous. And it's easily debunked by someone who is there.

I am humbled by all of the kind words. I have worked hard for the campaign, but others have done so much more than me! I am just one tiny sliver of a very big Bernie juggernaut!

Less than a week to go!!!

[John Poet]

60. THANKS SO MUCH for all your hard work!

You are working for ALL OF US across the country, who can't actually be there!

[lob1]

61. Way to go, Coffeecat. K&R.

[senz]

62. So glad Bernie's got people like you, CoffeCat.

Your techniques and experiences in finding Bernie supporters would be useful to the campaigns in other states, so I hope your information is being passed along and shared.

Really glad you're out there on the Iowa hustings. Thanks so much!

[gordyfl]

63. Keep Up the Good Work

I just updated my voter registration yesterday from Indie to Democratic. At least I filled out the form and gave it to the local library.
Hopefully I'll get my new card soon.

Now I can vote for Bernie!

[vkkv]

64. Thanks _______ n/t

[Peacetrain]

65. Good Luck CoffeeCat

We are out for O'Malley.. (actually I am sitting here typing right now ha) ... it is a whole lot nicer today than it was last week.. by a long shot!!

[ybbor]

66. Thanks for all the leg work

It will definitely pay off

[secondwind]

67. THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!!!!!

[Puglover]

68. Thanks for the work you do!

I was born in Cedar Rapids. (Family still outside of Marion)

Moved to Minnesota for 30 years and now.....

live in Northern Ecuador with permanent resident Visa in 3 years I can became an Ecuadorian citizen.

However will always be outside of Marion with my family for a few weeks in the Spring/Summer. NEVER Winter.

I LOVE being from Iowa and love Iowans.

So cracking up about the posts whining about how the Iowa Caucuses are just "not Democratic.

Yeah sure. These newbs are the new Democrats.

[cascadiance]

69. Just talked to a cashier at Dutch Brothers who said she was a Republican...

... but as a young person, but supports Bernie Sanders. I told her to register as a Democrat here in Oregon to vote in the primary.

We got steered on to this topic as fortunately when I was listening to Michaelangelo Signoreli on SiriusXM Progressive also thankfully talking about the lawsuit of Disney employees over H-1B visas which I'm thankful as hell that someone in the left media is finally talking about to a progressive audience. She had asked me how I was doing and I noted that I wasn't on lunch break as I was unemployed and noted that the topic of the radio show I was listening to was a big reason why I've been out of work a lot lately.

She echoed that sentiment with stories of friends and relatives having the same problem, and also didn't like that Trump and Cruz were trying to make this a xenophobic issue just like me. There is resonance out there for Bernie's issues. We just need to get more media attention to them and not just stop at things like TPP, but go more in depth and talk about less talked about issues that I think might be pivotal later such as H-1B visas that I think we're being manipulated with (or at least the PTB are trying to manipulate us!).

Couldn't talk with her long without pissing off the customer behind me in line but every bit helps where people I believe are receptive to a good message that respects all of us as Americans in a constructive way.

[Ivan Kaputski]

70. k and r and thank you.

[snagglepuss]

71. YAY CoffeeCat

Go Cat Go

[workinclasszero]

72. Why is Bernie himself

Tamping down expectations in Iowa?

[CoffeeCat]

79. What did he say

that makes you think that "Bernie himself" is "tamping down ecxpectations"?

[workinclasszero]

88. Sanders: It's A 'Mythology' That I Need To Win Iowa

Sanders: It's A 'Mythology' That I Need To Win Iowa
Sanders appeared to lower expectations about his performance in the Iowa caucuses.
01/26/2016 04:30 pm ET

[rhett o rick]

73. Thanks for your dedication. We also handing our flyiers at stores and puting them under windshield

wipers. Also freeway signing. Registering voters and handing out fliers on college campuses also. We plan on picking up the pace soon.

[CoffeeCat]

81. Good for you!

In what state are you living?

Very excited for the states with upcoming primaries!

[voteearlyvoteoften]

74. Thank you for your activism

Community organizer!

[Depaysement]

75. Power to the People nt

[Iwillnevergiveup]

76. CoffeeCat

Your posts make me more calm and determined until February 1. This thread has pritnear 3,000 views, and is an example for the rest of us. Please stay rested and warm and know that you have the gratitude of all of us here and elsewhere. Thank you, dear lady.

[PoliticalMalcontent]

77. Thank you for your hard work, CoffeeCat.

Hard work pays off.

[JDPriestly]

78. K&R. We love you and thank you, we who are in states that won't vote until too late to have

much say.

I'm in California. We don't vote until June. By that time, it may be all over.

I'm rooting for Bernie 100%.

[CoffeeCat]

82. Thank you so much

That is so nice! Thank you for the kind words.

It will be interesting to see how this primary shakes out. Who know, we may be still battling it out by the time the campaign gets to California!

[MrMickeysMom]

80. Coffee Cat - That's just great to hear...

I get lots of undeclared with phone banking. For sure, not many D's support her, but none of the undeclared seem to, either.

I think out of all the calls, most do not want to "give it up" in this race.

[CoffeeCat]

87. Thank you everyone

For the nice comments! I am happy to share what I am learning on the ground.

I look forward to hearing from DUers from NH, NV and SC--and also from the Super Tuesday states!

[Scruffy1]

89. This is what wins elections.

No advertising budget will ever replace human power.

[bvf]

90. Big, BIG K&R! Thanks for all your work, CoffeeCat! n/t

[Enthusiast]

92. Kicked and recommended! Thank you, CoffeeCat. nt

[LittleGirl]

93. Living abroad

I appreciate your efforts since I can't be there to help. Thanks so much for the post!
#FeelTheBern