My letter to Joe....

[1corona4u]

Before my Iowan friends read this, please know that I am not mad at any of you here. I know you all did the best you could. I just had no idea how the Caucus really worked, until I saw it on CSPAN, and I fully expected there to be strong supporters who would easily sway voters to Joe if needed.

I wish for all Iowans, that you take some time to think about what I said to Joe. The main question being, did your vote really count? I know you all love your Caucuses, but perhaps it's time to make your vote really go to the person you really want, the one you walked in to vote for, not the one you settled for.


-----

Joe,

I'll tell you who lost last night. The United States of America. When the most qualified person to be president in this country, can't even get 1%, it's a sad day in this country. Previously, I had no opinion of the Iowa Caucuses, but I now believe that Caucuses are the most antiquated voting system in this country. Iowans didn't vote for who they wanted. Many settled for their second choice. I watched as they were easily swayed to their "second choice" and they folded like flimsy lawn chairs. That's no way to hold an election. Every state needs to have a uniform voting system, and primaries need to be held on the same day. I find it ironic that Iowa sent a message about wanting "change" last night, but they have had no desire to "change" the way the hold their primaries. Kind of a contradiction if you ask me.

I witnessed it first hand, on CSPAN, and was astonished at how seemingly meaningless it was to most of the people. I don't know how Iowa can feel good about their votes, because for a lot of people, the way it is now, their true vote, didn't count at all. The person they went to Caucus for, they didn't vote for in the end. How is that Democratic? It would be the same as if I walked into my polling place, and went to vote for Joe Biden, and they said, sorry, the Joe Biden button is broken, you'll have to choose another. That's not Democratic. If I had been there last night, and I was caucusing for you,(which I would have been) and you weren't viable, I would have left uncommitted.

That would have been the right message to send. Not give in and vote for one of the others. Iowans say; "we wanted our vote to count". What good is that, if they don't actually get to vote for the one they really wanted? By giving in, they just reduced their vote to a number, not a vote for their ideology, or what was important to them when they walked in. Their votes were nothing more than protest to keep another candidate from winning. It's been reduced to a vote for the "lesser of the evils". I want my vote to speak for what I believe in. I want my vote to send a message specific about my candidate, his platform, and what's important to me. If my candidate loses in the end, then so be it, but I want my vote on record, for the right reasons, and because I have that fundamental right.

The media also decided this result in Iowa, and I fully expect the rest of the country to follow suit. After all, why do all of that research on a candidate, when the media has already supposedly done it, and eliminated those who didn't meet their "criteria". This is such a travesty. Fair media coverage needs to be a part of election reform. I realize that these are private companies, but it's the same as election fixing in my mind. The media had their agenda in this race, it was obvious, and it worked. The media has had such an influence, that I think there should be minimum requirements on time reporting for each and every candidate. Additionally, if there's a debate, all candidates need to be included, not just the ones whom the media chooses. We saw this too much this time. That's way too much control for the media to have. If they don't agree to that, then the all of the debates need to be taken to a govt. channel, where all parties can be heard.


I was so looking forward to 4/8 years, where I didn't have to run to the television, to turn off the next President. I was so hopeful would be you, where I would actually run to the television to see. Since that's not going to happen, I have lost my desire to vote for any of the other candidates, and don't really care what happens, since, apparently, I have the wrong priorities. That to me, is the message I got last night. I was an Independent, who registered Democrat, to vote for you in the primaries, and then found out that my vote wouldn't count anyway, since I am in Florida. I was devastated when I found that out, and my anguish has played out for many months now, only to receive the final message last night, that it doesn't matter what I want.


As for you Joe, you were robbed two times of the Presidency, and that is something I will never forget, or forgive this country for. I know you don't see it that way, because you're far too gracious, but that's the way I see it. You have done so much for this country, and no one deserved to win more than you. You have earned it. It's a shame that the value system in this country has been reduced to nothing more than who looks the best, or who has the most money, who has the youth vote, or who had the most media coverage. The three "survivors" last night, don't care about this country as they claim, and they all have their own agendas. You had the country, and it's people's best interest in mind, and for that, I thank you. You had the right priorities, not them.

I have watched you for the last 15 years or so, and will continue to follow you, and your outstanding work for the people of Delaware, and this country. I was a strong supporter for you in this race, and donated as much money as I could, to give the people of this country to have an opportunity to see in you, what I saw. I know a lot of people saw it. You did have a lot of support, despite what the media said, and I know if you would have been given the same amount of coverage as the top three, the rest of the country would have fallen in love with you, and your ideas, just like the Biden supporters have.


Joe Biden didn't lose last night. This country did. I will mourn this great loss for many years to come. I will eventually "get up", but it will take time. There is no doubt in my mind, that you would have gone on to be the best President this country had ever seen.


Godspeed, Joe Biden.

[Froward69]

1. Hear here

:cry: :applause: :cry: :applause: :cry: :applause: :pals: :hug:

[WheelWalker]

2. Thank you, Corona...you

express the feelings of so many.

[murbley40]

3. What a wonderful letter...

Just exactly the way I feel and now the tears are coming again and I am at work,although I don't know why I did not just stay at home.

[nyc 4 Biden]

4. Amazing!

I hope Joe gets to read it. You should post it on his blog, unless it is too long. Either way, well done!

[monmouth]

5. Well, now I'm tearing up again. Beautiful letter..eom

[PatSeg]

6. You've expressed how so many of us feel

Thank you

[jillan]

7. Well done Corona!

[Eurobabe]

8. Been there too Corona, nice letter...

First step in healing the wound. :hug:

[LynneSin]

9. I'd recommend your letter if I was allowed to do so

But whomever gets the nomination better recognize that the best hope for the US to restabilish it's goodwill towards the rest of the world goes through Joe Biden. No one tops his foreign policy expertise and he is very well respected around the world

[gateley]

10. Wow. I'm honest-to-god speechless. Outstanding, Corona. Thank you.

:hug:

[justinrr1]

11. Great letter Corona!

[1corona4u]

12. Thank you all....

I have moved past the anger, and find my self in the grief part. Just got the email from Joe, thanking everyone, basically what he said last night. Such a sad, sad, day.

[jillan]

13. I am so fucking sad.

I go from periods of denial to crying and back again.

[PatSeg]

15. I feel so empty and aimless

Can't focus on anything.

[Steely_Dan]

14. God Love Ya, Corona

[dsmmom]

16. This is a great letter.

I pretty much feel the same way about the caucus system. I like the way it works in that we come together and discuss candidates and issues, but don't like that some votes don't count, and other candidates' nubmers are inflated by second or sometimes even a third choice.

The trouble at our caucus last night was that once again (this happened in '04 as well) the democratic party here underestimated the number of caucus attendees. As a result, at our precinct, I felt that we weren't able to truly caucus which sucked. I feel for you as an Independent supporting Biden. I had two friends in another precinct convert from Independent and the other Republican to caucus for Joe. They are especially disappointed, and probably won't caucus in four years.

I would be fine with rotating states, but do think it's nice to have a state with a small population so that a candidate with less money can still try to run a decent campaign.

And yes, America is the real loser.

[1corona4u]

17. I don't so much mind that you go first......

that bothers me so much less, than the counts. I wish the counts were actual, not predicated around some viability factor. I say, have your caucuses, go first if you must, but count all votes. And, I'm not just talking about this year, and Joe Biden.

I wonder, has Iowa ever considered the reason they typically have low voter turn out, is because of their format? I think if people could show up, and just vote, and not have to stand around for an hour or 2, or hagle over who votes for whom, and who moves where, would more vote? I think they would. Maybe people don't like the interaction part of it? A vote should be kept private, unless someone wants to share it with others. I don't in any way, see the way it is now, as a "party building" event.

I think Iowa would have a stronger democratic party if they would consider a "change" in their voting process. I think more people would be willing to come out and vote too.

Just something to ponder.

[jillan]

18. The republicans in Iowa have it right.

They actually go in to vote.

[1corona4u]

19. Yeah, I thought about that......

that's the way it should be.

[jillan]

20. The whole process does not make sense.

Even that girl last nite on C-Span. She stood for Biden and said she would leave before she supported someone else.
I don't know if she moved or was an undecided. She was my hero.

I don't know how or when it will ever change.

And listen to this - Gravel is staying in the race. So is Kucinich.

[1corona4u]

21. They might as well...

they have nothing to lose.

[gateley]

23. I have to laugh at my naivete. I pictured a caucus event as a little gathering place -

like a clubhouse, maybe a log-cabin type of thing, low lights, a fire in the hearth, people having thoughtful conversations and discussions with one another explaining why they thought their candidate was the best...

Then on C-Span it was like a huge cattle call. It was unfortunate that they highlighted that Richardson supporter - I found her irritating and impotent. It was like she was wheedling, whining, asking people to come to his support. She had no strength, no passion. I couldn't believe nobody debated her.

It was an eye-opener. I don't know how I view the caucus process, just that it wasn't at all what I expected in my little fantasy!

[Debi]

29. The caucuses were very much a success for the party

we added so many new voters to our party that we will ask to participate as county and district and state convention delegates (and national delegates). We will ask them to financially support the party and to volunteer their time by phone banking, door knocking and even by running for office them selves. How is adding 115,000 people to the Iowa Democratic party NOT be considered a success?

As for votes not counting, I respectfully disagree. Everyone walking in had the opportunity to 'cast their vote' for Joe Biden in the first round. Had this been a primary you would have stood in line, pulled the lever and gone home - and Joe Biden would have ended up in 5th place and then withdrawn from the race. The only difference is that you were allowed to make a second choice or third choice and help show the preference of the Iowa Democratic Party as a whole.

I wonder if the Iowan's here would be bemoaning the caucus system if Biden had ended up in third and stayed in the race?

[1corona4u]

43. I'm sending you a pm....

[Tashca]

22. I do not disagree.

I became very disenfranchised last night with this system.

I can't put my finger on it....but this one was different and not in a good way.

People used to take the time to learn about the candidates and make an informed decision. I didn't feel this at all with the majority of people. Candidates spending individually 30-20 million just on Iowa....it's freaking insane.

I feel like they somehow infiltrated the system and manipulated it. I don't know how else to say it.
I am ready for a change too....I'm all ears!!

[PatSeg]

25. Maybe it is time for a change

The caucuses sounded so democratic, but evidently that has been adversely affected by the money and media. I wonder if Iowans would be willing to revisit the caucus and consider changing.

[1corona4u]

26. A lot of people were disenfranchised and have been all along..

the way I see it. I never use to get it when people on the board said it was un-democratic. Having witnessed it myself, I now get why they said that. I don't think Iowans should settle for this either. I mean, they're deciding important stuff here. someone said that their priorities are state/party issues first, and preferences for a president second.

The more I've thought about it, I'm sure voter turn out would be better if they held true election primaries. Would it have made a big difference for someone like Joe? I don't know. And since they don't release the first round of numbers, we may never know. But I would have still liked to know the actual vote count, going in.

[Debi]

28. That's too bad Bellator

I thought Iowans would be thrilled that we added an additional 115,000 voters to our ranks.

Yes, is disappointing that our chosen candidate didn't prevail, but had we held a primary he would have ended up in the same position (it just would have shown how few of the 239,000 participating Iowans voted for him).

The caucuses are FIRST a party building system and SECOND a count of the presidential preference of the electorate as a whole. We have grown our party incredibly in preparation for the November elections. We accomplished our goal. How can anyone feel disenfranchised?

[Tashca]

35. Yes...I was frustrated

I wanted to blame something......in this case is was the system. In reality the rules are set and any candidate can use that set of parameters to achieve the results they want.

The problem really is with the money and the MSM.....I think we have all known that for a very long time. I guess deep down I had hoped to somehow upset the system here. Money and the MSM won again.
I get frustrated because I rarely go to a general election with excitement and vote for the person I want.....instead I hold my nose and vote against the person I don't want.

My daughter did a total production, editing, and interview for local programing in Iowa City. Her topic was the caucus system and how it works. She interviewed people and got as in depth as she could. I unfortunately never did see the show. She is intellectual and very analytical. After doing the show she told me that she was excited about going to the Democratic caucus. She wanted nothing to do with a secret ballot system that the Repug's use. In here opinion the Democratic system was much more conducive to democracy. I think she is right.

I am happy about the new people being involved. I don't think the party was prepared for the influx. My precinct had 333 people.....my one daughters had 540. That is too many in my opinion and loses the thrust of small gatherings. I hope the Democratic party in Iowa addresses this issue in the future. In Ceder Rapids.....we also had a few precinct changed from Churches to schools......I haven't heard if everyone made it too their location, but i know there was some concern. It seems several Churches said no at the last minute because of the policy positions of the Democratic party.
That is something that needs addressed before next time too.....making sure a good job is done of communicating these changes as quickly as possible.

Yes....Joe would have received @8% of the vote in my precinct and that's what it would have been in a secret ballot. That is about where he seemed to be polling....and I have to accept that it probably wouldn't have been enough for him to continue.

OK....I feel much better now.....:)

[Debi]

37. Thanks Bellator

I know the large turnout seemed a frustration at the time, but in the end it is such a positive.

I'm certain that the IDP will work on training Caucus Chairs and Secretaries even more (although I am very proud of the production the state party put on!) In the straight-vote-straw-poll republican caucuses they are STILL doing the math!! :rofl: How hard is it to count ballots??? x( And yet the IDP put together a terrific reporting system.

In the coming months you are going to see the people you attended caucus with, you will hopefully talk with them about staying involved in the party and maybe even find a way to volunteer with them. You will hopefully attend your county convention and maybe even the district and state convention. Your participation helped grow our party - that's something we should be proud of.

If we had walked in a door, pulled a lever and turned around and left none of that could have happened. We need 'new blood' in our party, Mr. Debi and his friends cannot carry the banner forever, we need younger folks who are enthusiastic about giving their time and energy (and who will hopefully end up on the ballot some day themselves). I see this year's turnout as a great new beginning in Iowa Politics.

[frogcycle]

24. excellent.

The caucus system seems to have been overwhelmed by the short-attention-span tastes great/less filling crowd. People don't think of it as picking the leader of the free world; they think of it like a sporting event. Your team loses in the first round, you pick another to root for, it gets to the final four, somebody wins it all, you go home, play a little golf (probably lie about your score), and they start a new season in a few months and do it all over again.

I'll post my note to Joe in a separate thread.

tadpole

[Debi]

27. If Iowa had a primary and all the people who supported Joe Biden

had walked in a pulled a lever and then went home Joe Biden would have ended up in 5th place and he would have dropped out of the race.

Go ahead and blame the process if it makes you feel better, but you are wrong.

[1corona4u]

30. The problem was two-fold....

as I stated in my letter. Media, and the caucuses. At least you went home uncommitted. Which is what I would have done.

If the media would have given both Joe, and Dodd, the same coverage that they gave the top 3, and they still didn't do any better, then I could see your point. No matter how much campaigning either of them did, those people they spoke to still went home and turned on the TV to hear over, and over, how UN-electable people in the 2nd tier were, and how the top 3 were.

I can hear it play put in my head; "I really like Joe, but they say he'll never win".

Iowa's self fulfilling prophecy.

[Debi]

31. Why blame the caucuses?

I don't want to sound snippy, but explain to me how a fifth place finish in a primary would have changed things.

Iowa is great b/c folks are allowed to 'cast a second ballot' if their candidate under-performs (and Biden underperformed - he didn't have enough 'votes').

So go ahead and blame $$ and media coverage. But until you can give me a concrete argument that Biden would have done better if Iowa had held a primary I will continue to defend a process that added 115,000 voters to my state's rolls. Come November, when Democrats will be fighting against republicans for the White House and the US Congress and the Iowa Statehouse and county supervisor seats, I am thrilled that we have added so many people to help fight the fight. And that was the number one reason for the caucuses, to build the party.

[1corona4u]

32. Here is my issue with the caucuses;

"Iowa is great b/c folks are allowed to 'cast a second ballot' if their candidate under-performs."

Being 'allowed' to vote for someone else is not the same as voting for ther one they really wanted. As I said in my letter, it's no different than me walking into my polling place, and being told that the 'Joe Biden' button is broken, and I will have too choose another.

Their first vote should be the one that counts. Even if Biden, or Dodd for that matter, would have come in dead last, at least I could say, he, he gave it a shot.

It's again, two fold. The double whammy. First the media, then the changing of ther votes to another candidate. That's what killed the 2nd tier. I'm not really sure how Richardson got votes over them, but my guess is; it was because he was a governor, and some people still think that only a governor can win the WH. I disagree. And I think we will see that this year.

I say, have your caucuses, but count the first vote, the way people intended to vote. That's all.:-)

[Debi]

33. Their 'first votes' did count - and Biden lost

Caucus goers had the opportunity to then encourage other supporters of other 'losing' candiadates to support Joe Biden (and in fact in some precincts people DID chose Joe Biden as their second choice)or make a second choice (something that isn't allowed in a primary) and Joe Biden still lost.

[1corona4u]

34. It shouldn't matter that he lost ....

in a precinct. What should matter is, those first votes. They should stand as a vote for that candidate, and not have to be re-issued to another candidate. When you say their vote counted for them, in the end, it did not. It went to another candidate.

In short, I think it should not be up to caucus goers to deem someone as 'losing'. It should be counted first, and only one vote, on a statewide level. If they lose, then so be it.

It should be looked at in totality state wide.

I realize that we're never going to agree on this though. And that's ok. That's what makes this a democratic society. If only for a bit longer.....

[Debi]

36. Here's a story about how the 'second vote' worked for Biden

I wonder if this had occurred statewide and Biden ended up in third place you would be saying the same things about the caucuses.

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/01/03/inside-the-quaint-chaotic-caucuses.aspx#comments

I understand that you want the caucuses to be a primary - I thought I had explained the differences between the two (and think I could find some posts where you defended the process) in the past. However, you are correct - We are both entitled to our opinions.

I just hope you see that it isn't the process that ended Joe Biden's presidential bid. It was his poor showing.

[1corona4u]

38. Debi, I still appreciate all of you who worked so hard for this...

and your son, and all of those who tried to make it work. It didn't. As I said before, I have a better understanding now of how it works, and I have changed my opinion of the caucuses. Granted it's partially because of Biden, but what about the next election? What if it's the same story?

We are getting into dangerous territory with the media, and compounding that by having a caucus system that people turn to to find their candidate. It's no secret that people follow Iowa, just like the good little sheep that they are.

I know it's easy to say; 'they should just vote for whom ever and forget what Iowa says', but apparently, that's just not the case. Look at Hillary. She was ahead in NH. Now she has dropped way down and Obama is leading.

It only took 2 days for that to happen. It's the domino effect.


PS. You're not obligated to defend the caucuses. You didn't invent them. ;-)

[Debi]

39. I am under no obligation to defend the process - I want to

25 years ago my husband was sued in federal court by the national party defending Iowa's position and process (he was chair of the party back then) and I have no qualms about standing up for the Iowa Caucuses. I think you and many others on this board would be doing the same had the results been different.

As for people in states that come after Iowa behaving like lemmings - there is no way NO WAY you can blame the process for THAT. If Texas or Arkansas or Ohio gone first would that have changed sheeple's behavior?

If you are advocating for a national primary, ask yourself how Joe Biden would have performed in that scenario?! Even with public financing of the contests we are now dealing with an electorate that wants 'energy' and 'soundbites'. These folks don't want a 12 page plan on how to get out of Iraq (oh, yeah 12 pages and I read every single one of them!) They want 'fired up - ready to go'. They don't want to know that today their asshole husband or father will now go to jail and they will be able to live in a safe secure place while they sort out their next step - as a result of being beaten all to hell - because Joe Biden busted his ass for eight years to get those protective laws created - they want to be 'ready for change ready to lead'. They don't want to hear a laundry list of foreign officials that are actually personal friends of the nominee - they want 'you go girl' and 'gobama'.

The caucus process in a small state gave Joe Biden a platform that he would have never had. But unfortunately we have a young eager group of new voters that want JFK and WJC excitement instead of problem solving and negotiating skills. Watch the process as it unfolds. I think we'll be seeing high voter turnout in every state. And I don't think Joe Biden would have done any better in any of them (well except for Delaware - I think he'd have kicked ass there).

[1corona4u]

40. So keep the caucus....

just change and make the first vote count. Make that vote go on record. No 'viability factor', and no realignment. I'd be hapy with that.

[Debi]

41. Well, then that would be a primary

:hi:

alright - agree to disagree and we're done with this.

We'd truly have fun with this debate if alcohol were involved :toast:

[1corona4u]

42. LOL.....

Eh, yeah, and I am out of Corona's....couldn't drag my depressed ass out today to get some. :(

Maybe tomorrow...