Welp, another even year, another caucus. Personally, my small contribution was a rousing success. They might love me now as the bright young thing who actually put some effort* into this thing, but I suspect there'll be less happiness come the county convention and they realize there're gonna be a bunch of issues brought up by libertarian-influenced statements that they'll have to discuss instead of quietly ignoring.
It really is quite shocking how much effect you can have from just an hour's worth of work beforehand. I'll bet that fully half the planks submitted in writing were mine. Most people have maybe one issue they care about, and if they're feeling incredibly involved they'll write something up for that, and then call it a day. Me, I'm rather too much too concerned about too many things for my own good.
As for the results in Iowa tonight, I just have to say that I'm incredibly, incredibly amused. A large number of people in the Republican political machine are going to be very, very ticked about Huckabee's substantial margin of victory.
As for the Democratic side, Clinton's clearly got much larger issues than she thought she had prior to tonight. It's going to be very interesting to watch this thing play out, in both parties.
*by effort, I mean that I showed up, voted, and then proceeded to hand in 3.5 handwritten pages of potentional Republican Party platform planks. The last bit got some shock and some clapping, because, you know, I'm young and need to be encouraged.
Posted by Ardith at January 3, 2008 10:09 PM | TrackBackI think it's adorable. Way to go, Ardith! Yay!
Also: your state did well. This election could be fun after all.
Posted by: Wilson at January 4, 2008 02:43 AMArdith, from what I understand, the vote at the caucus influences how the Iowa delegates will vote at the national convention. What I don't understand is precisely how this works. CNN is reporting that none of the delegates are pledged to any particular candidate. Further, I don't think the delegates to the national convention have even been selected yet. How does this all play out? Is it a conspiracy? And are you in on it?
Posted by: Jew at January 4, 2008 09:33 AMWell done, ma chère :-)
I hope one of your planks was to move the caucus to a warmer month.
Posted by: votre chère maman at January 4, 2008 10:07 AMArdith, that's stupendous! You may end up swinging the whole election!
If I send you an SASE, will you mail me a copy of your notes? Please?
Posted by: Sharon at January 4, 2008 11:40 AMI would very much like to know the planks you submitted. It sounds like the conventions could be exciting for you.
-Derek Hoyt
Posted by: at January 4, 2008 03:15 PM10 days later...
Derek, I'll try and type those up and email them to you tonight, if you really want to see them.
Unfortunately, Sharon, there aren't all that many notes. Mostly because the lady reading over my shoulder as I was writing them was freaking me out. I need to learn to write in code.
Jew, the delegates don't get pledged until the state convention, when the delegates to the national convention get selected. It's all clearly a massive conspiracy to confuse everybody, involved or otherwise.
Posted by: at January 14, 2008 07:30 PMOh, hey. That was me, not signed in.
Posted by: Ardith at January 14, 2008 09:17 PM