# Iowa Caucus Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 4, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465 "2020-02-04T03:01:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/101 "2020-02-04T16:30:45Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > When the App fails, _ **Pick up the \*\*\*\*\*\* telephone** _ and say “We’ve got 26 votes for Amy and 59 votes for the funny guy with white hair!” How hard is it?? Pretty hard, apparently. NPR is reporting that phones _were_ the backup plan, but were overwhelmed, leading to on-hold times of 1+ hours and many precinct officers finally giving up and deciding to try again today. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/102 "2020-02-04T16:31:23Z")
Last night, I checked my phone and the NYTimes polls said Pete was ahead of Bernie by a few votes. That surprised me, but it is too early to tell anything right now. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/103 "2020-02-04T16:32:56Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > If Sanders’ numbers are correct (he released his campaign’s own internal count tonight), Biden may not even qualify for the next debate, if I understand the rules correctly. He’s at 12.3%, with Bernie at 29%, Buttigieg at 24%, and Warren at .21%. > > If those numbers are close to real, Biden is in big trouble. As the Washington Post noted this morning, if those numbers are real, then the Iowa debacle did Biden a small favor by shielding him from the brunt of the heat that he would be facing for performing so badly. But he’d face huge question marks going on forward. Buttigieg may have decisively eclipsed Biden here, although Biden still commands big support from African-Americans. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/104 "2020-02-04T16:34:31Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > BernieSandersFan? Yup. If he isn’t the nominee, I’ll stay home and play here ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/105 "2020-02-04T16:35:54Z")
Probably an overseas company in China or India did the app since they were the lowest bidder. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/106 "2020-02-04T16:36:02Z")
> [@MortSahlFan](#): > > Yup. If he isn’t the nominee, I’ll stay home and play here Typical. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/107 "2020-02-04T16:38:06Z")
These are definitely the people we should have designing the health care system. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/108 "2020-02-04T16:41:26Z")
> [@MortSahlFan](#): > > Yup. If he isn’t the nominee, I’ll stay home and play here Donald Trump appreciates your support. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/109 "2020-02-04T16:50:39Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > These are definitely the people we should have designing the health care system. It would probably end up with a bunch of people demanding the most exquisite MRI for their sore knee; but if the system doesn’t deliver, it’s euthanasia. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/110 "2020-02-04T16:51:40Z")
The Iowa Democratic Party is looking to hire a [Member Services Coordinator](https://www.daybook.com/jobs/TJsMEZKXNFyuNbcur). Just posted. Get those resumes in. Also, Shadow Democratic Digital Firm, the people who made the app, are looking to hire a [Client Success Representative](https://www.daybook.com/jobs/zJLyBGKbGb2WFvZvF). Posted this morning. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/111 "2020-02-04T16:54:51Z")
> [@squidfood](#): > > Pretty hard, apparently. NPR is reporting that phones _were_ the backup plan, but were overwhelmed, leading to on-hold times of 1+ hours and many precinct officers finally giving up and deciding to try again today. Think of what a pain in the ass it is getting through on a 800 number when something goes wrong. And they’re set up in call centers with a staff of people who do that 40 hours a week. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/112 "2020-02-04T16:57:04Z")
Is it my imagination or are there still no results. I could set up an Excel spreadsheet and have the counties email me the results and give you the final outcome within an hour. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/113 "2020-02-04T17:00:25Z")
An Iowa friend reported from his caucus: > [@](#): > > 275 in attendance, 42 necessary for viability. Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren wind up with one delegate each; Yang and Steyer not viable. The people have spoken, and what the people want…differs wildly. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/114 "2020-02-04T17:01:06Z")
> [@squidfood](#): > > Pretty hard, apparently. NPR is reporting that phones _were_ the backup plan, but were overwhelmed, leading to on-hold times of 1+ hours and many precinct officers finally giving up and deciding to try again today. Yeah, I saw a few people on TV last night who had no trouble tabulating the results, there was just no way to report them. [Shawn Sebastian](https://twitter.com/shawnsebastian/status/1224549120779653120) was a precinct secretary. He posted the results to Twitter and announced them live in interviews on both CNN and MSNBC all while he was on hold for something like 2 hours trying to report the results to the IDP. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/115 "2020-02-04T17:07:49Z")
The big question is are Dems tired of the Atlantic Seaboard elite representing the party? Specifically Hillary, Bernie; Biden, Bernie and Warren? I wonder if Iowa will give us any indication of if that trend exists. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/116 "2020-02-04T17:11:14Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > The big question is are Dems tired of the Atlantic Seaboard elite representing the party? Specifically Hillary, Bernie; Biden, Bernie and Warren? I wonder if Iowa will give us any indication of if that trend exists. Hillary is as much suburban Chicago and Arkansas as she is Chappaqua, New York, but point taken — I was wondering the same. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/117 "2020-02-04T17:17:30Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > The big question is are Dems tired of the Atlantic Seaboard elite representing the party? Specifically Hillary, Bernie; Biden, Bernie and Warren? I wonder if Iowa will give us any indication of if that trend exists. Clinton and Warren aren’t really from there. Clinton grew up in Illinois and lived in Arkansas a fair bit as an adult, then DC and New York later in life. I don’t think New Yorkers think of her as a New Yorker. Warren grew up in Oklahoma and lived in Texas. In her law professor career she taught all over the place, including Michigan and Texas, before eventually putting some roots down in Massachusetts. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/118 "2020-02-04T17:21:10Z")
I don’t get it. The last two Dem presidents were from Chicago and Little Rock. Why would people be sick of the Atlantic elite representing the party? I guess Kerry was one. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/119 "2020-02-04T17:23:21Z")
And Carter is from the deep south. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/120 "2020-02-04T17:25:26Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Is it my imagination or are there still no results. > > I could set up an Excel spreadsheet and have the counties email me the results and give you the final outcome within an hour. [Check here.](https://results.thecaucuses.org/) Not your imagination, as of 11:20 AM Central time on Tuesday. And “the counties” don’t have the results. As I posted earlier, are you ready to take in about 5000 sets of results - there are about 1600 precincts, and each one has three sets of results you need? That shouldn’t take too long… What they should do at this point is, have a contact point for each county, then have the precinct captains send the results to the county contacts, who then send the combined information to state party HQ. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465.md?page=7)