Hillary's getting her excuses ready...

Falling pretty consistently behind in Iowa, the Clinton campaign is now accusing the Obama campaign of attempting to "manipulate" the vote there. Their charge stems from the Obama campaign's strong support among college students, who have been encouraged to either stay in Iowa over the holiday break or return on caucus night to support the senator.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/12/question_of_iowa_student_voting_flares_into_major_issue.php#more

Here's the catch: College students from out of state are eligible to caucus in Iowa, provided they are registered Democrats and live in the area where they are caucusing. Further, since almost all the students will have to caucus in a fairly small number of precincts where they live in Ames and Iowa City -- and where Obama is likely to win, anyway -- the effect they might have on the final result in Iowa is likely negligible. There are only so many delegates per caucus, and there aren't points for running up the score.

So, in essence, Hillary is charging that Obama campaign is attempting to "manipulate" the election by, horror of horrors, trying to get eligible voters to the caucus. The nerve! What's more, she makes the accusation -- through her husband, no less -- knowing full well that the effect on the outcome will be tangential at best and that the Obama campaign has supported students caucusing largely as a way to get young people involved with the campaign. What scum!

It's pretty damn low.

 

But I thought the Democrats were always in favor of counting every vote...

 

I would assume it is, although you can probably assume there have been times where many have been hoping for it privately.

I'm honestly surprised by this. You don't normally see someone who has so much experience in politics hit this big a panic button.

 

She has the backing of one influential Iowa columnist -- David Yepsen -- but other than that, I don't see this playing well.

And I don't see her as skilled enough to sell it, either.

Is there any legitimate argument that college students shouldn't caucus in Iowa? They spend their money there, live there, work there, etc.

It just doesn't hold any water to me.

 

Amen.

The truth is they are what they've always been...hypocrites. Claiming to be for the people, but not.

At least the Republicans hint they are for the corporates. Whether that's right or not, they're consistent.

 

It's about what, five percent of registered Iowa voters even bother to caucus? And this is a major signpost in how our country picks a president?

Clinton would have done a lot better just to complain about how fucked up the process is.

 

Good point about the smaller colleges Headbutt, but, of course, there would be smaller numbers of students headed there, too.

And I'll be up to Rake your dad's lawn as soon as I get a couple days off...

 

Uh...I think the whole point of the thread is what Hillary's doing is wrong. Started by someone who I can assume is a Democrat (or last politically liberal).

 

Thanks for noticing, K.

And yes, in case it needed to be said, I am decidedly for increasing turnout and counting every vote.

It's this crazy theory I have. ;D

 

Brand new this year: Candidates angle for every perceived advantage they can to get elected!

 

You liberal wackos and your off-the-wall thinking.