Caucus Notes
January 21st, 2004
Caucuses see record turnout
The turnout at Monday’s Iowa Democratic caucuses, at more
than 121,000 registered voters, marks the largest crowd of
caucus-goers in Iowa history. Turnout estimates last weekend ranged
between 100,000 and 125,000 voters.
Gephardt rally has all the trimmings
Even by providing an open bar and a free Chuck Berry concert
before the caucuses, U.S. Rep. Gephardt of Missouri could not
muster the support for a caucus victory in Iowa. Guitar legend
Chuck Berry hyped supporters with a version of “Johnny B.
Goode” whose chorus was altered to “Go, Go Dick, Go,
Go.”
Poll: Most caucus voters are anti-war
In an entrance poll broadcasted by CNN before caucuses were
called to order, 75 percent of voters said they opposed the war in
Iraq. But the caucuses’ most prominent opponents of the war,
former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of
Ohio, finished behind Kerry and U.S. Sen. Edwards of North
Carolina, both of whom supported an October 2002 resolution
authorizing a war with Iraq if necessary.
Still, there is some debate as to how important the war even was
to Iowa voters in choosing a presidential candidate. A New York
Times/CBS poll conducted Jan. 12 to 15 stated that 15 percent of
the 1,022 persons polled cited the economy as the most important
campaign issue, while only 6 percent cited the war in Iraq.
Dean camp remains unshaken after third-place finish
Dean’s third-place, 18-percent finish in the caucuses came
much to the surprise of voters who had watched the candidate climb
the polls and shatter a Democratic record for most funds raised in
a single quarter, $15 million by Dean for the quarter ending Jan.
1.
Yet in the waning hours of Dean’s post-caucuses
celebration, held in the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, U.S.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa.) told The Michigan Daily, “The
underpinnings of the Dean campaign are stronger than any of the
other candidates.”
Gephardt delivers patriotic speech after caucus loss
Gephardt, in an address Monday night preceding his decision to
pull out of the contest for the presidency, told supporters and
members of the media, “I’ve said in this campaign many
more times than the media following this campaign have wanted me to
say it, that my father was a milkman and my mother was a secretary.
… So my life is an American life.” He added, “I
consider myself to be the luckiest person alive.”
Kerry emphasizes his wife’s support
Candidates received enthusiastic support from listeners at
rallies throughout the weekend in Iowa. Rhythmic chants of
“Dick and Jane” and “J-K All the Way” and
“Go, John, Go” could be heard at Gephardt, Kerry, and
Edwards gatherings. At Kerry’s celebration party on Monday
night he thanked his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry for all her
assistance on the campaign.
When the crowd responded with chants of “T-H-K,
T-H-K” Kerry said, “If you continue like that
she’ll show you some of her African …(pause)
African,” trailing off. Heinz Kerry was born in Mozambique.
Kerry continued by saying, “I couldn’t thank Teresa
Heinz Kerry enough for her help.”
Caucuses draw global coverage
Reporters from Al-Jazeera, the Kyoto News, the London Daily
Herald and college newspapers wound their way through Des
Moines’ Skywalk walkways last weekend during the caucuses.
Tourism skyrockets during election season in Iowa and its capital
“bustles with new energy” said Des Moines residents
Doris and Norm Knight.
Behind the cameras, GOP holds caucuses
Although their publicity has been sparse, the Iowa Republican
Caucuses took place in 1,997 precincts across the state Monday
night — four more precincts than those caucused by the
Democrats. And while Republicans had only one candidate to support
— President Bush — they also took time to elect
delegates and discuss party issues.
— Compiled by Daily Staff Reporters David Branson and
Andrew Kaplan.
Printed from www.michigandaily.com on Sat, 26 May 2012 19:06:53 -0400