# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/121 "2020-02-04T17:26:19Z")
nm ---
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/122 "2020-02-04T17:31:57Z")
According to the Times, a big reason for this mess is that, after the essentially tied caucus between Clinton and Sanders in 2016, the Sanders campaign asked that future results be reported for every step in the process. ---
**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, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/123 "2020-02-04T17:34:38Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > 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… Not if you have a google sheets for them to enter data in. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/124 "2020-02-04T17:37:11Z")
CNN is reporting the Dems will release the results by 4:00 p.m. Well, at least half the results by 4:00 p.m. They hope. ---
**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, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/125 "2020-02-04T17:39:56Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > According to the Times, a big reason for this mess is that, after the essentially tied caucus between Clinton and Sanders in 2016, the Sanders campaign asked that future results be reported for every step in the process. Better solution was to scrap the caucus and have a primary. Would get much higher turn out in a primary and better representation of Iowa. Secret ballots, no need to give up an evening, not being deterred by the shouty groups. Coin tosses were being used to determine some delegates when the count after the second rounds were even last night. What a joke. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/126 "2020-02-04T17:42:26Z")
They need to recruit the Geico Pinocchio guy to deliver the results. I’m sure they’re doing the best they can to do an accurate and thorough job, but at this point the results are going to seem tainted to a lot of people. If this ends the tradition of all the candidates spending a year in Iowa, that may be a good thing. One of the tabloids, not sure who, had this headline: DUH MOINES ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/127 "2020-02-04T17:43:28Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Probably an overseas company in China or India did the app since they were the lowest bidder. Is this just an observation, or am I missing an implication of some sort? ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/128 "2020-02-04T17:51:11Z")
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza could have done a better job. ---
**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, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/129 "2020-02-04T17:55:12Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > Better solution was to scrap the caucus and have a primary. Would get much higher turn out in a primary and better representation of Iowa. Secret ballots, no need to give up an evening, not being deterred by the shouty groups. > > Coin tosses were being used to determine some delegates when the count after the second rounds were even last night. What a joke. Plus some people are not allowed to caucus, specifically people who work nights. I wanted to caucus in Colorado in 2016 but couldn’t since I worked 2 jobs. Thankfully we have primaries now. ---
**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, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/130 "2020-02-04T17:57:57Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Is this just an observation, or am I missing an implication of some sort? Yeah, what’s up with that, Bijou? I was reminded of [In Search of the Wily Filipino](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wjX-asLQfk0), a funny short essay by Steve Martin, based on a comment by Marlon Brando. ---
**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, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/131 "2020-02-04T17:58:48Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > CNN is reporting the Dems will release the results by 4:00 p.m. > > Well, at least half the results by 4:00 p.m. > > They hope. This does not say on which day at 4:00 p.m… ---
**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, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/132 "2020-02-04T18:05:44Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Plus some people are not allowed to caucus, specifically people who work nights. I wanted to caucus in Colorado in 2016 but couldn’t since I worked 2 jobs. Thankfully we have primaries now. I’ve never caucused thankfully. Maybe in the old days it had a purpose. Now it’s leading to people being cut off because not everyone can give up an evening as you say. Or voter depression in the age of social media. Imagine being that one guy who committed to someone like Michael Bennet because he has travelled all over the state, to listen to you and your communities and offered a vision and personality you like, only to have others take pictures of you to post online because you’re on your own. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/133 "2020-02-04T18:11:24Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > Better solution was to scrap the caucus and have a primary. Would get much higher turn out in a primary and better representation of Iowa. Secret ballots, no need to give up an evening, not being deterred by the shouty groups. > > Coin tosses were being used to determine some delegates when the count after the second rounds were even last night. What a joke. Being too lazy to look upthread, someone said something about “coin flips”, implying that they were occasionally needed. I thought the Doper was joking. Now c’mon, it \*was \*a joke, right? ---
**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, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/134 "2020-02-04T18:14:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > This does not say on which day at 4:00 p.m… …Or which half. ---
**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, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/135 "2020-02-04T18:32:06Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Being too lazy to look upthread, someone said something about “coin flips”, implying that they were occasionally needed. I thought the Doper was joking. Now c’mon, it \*was \*a joke, right? Haha. Not a joke. Don’t you remember the [great coin flip controversy of 2016](https://www.npr.org/2016/02/02/465268206/coin-toss-fact-check-no-coin-flips-did-not-win-iowa-for-hillary-clinton)? ---
**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, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/136 "2020-02-04T18:35:56Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Being too lazy to look upthread, someone said something about “coin flips”, implying that they were occasionally needed. I thought the Doper was joking. Now c’mon, it \*was \*a joke, right? Not sure if it’s snark, but yes coin flips have been used in the caucus to determine the last delegate. And while I hate caucuses, remember that a random draw was used for that Virginia election a couple years ago which not only determined a winner but also party control of the House of Delegates. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/137 "2020-02-04T18:42:31Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > 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. I have never heard of a ‘client success representative’ position in a tech firm. So I went and looked at the posting… The job requirements are heavy on being a good, faithful progressive, and there’s more stuff about diversity than actual job requirements, and not a word about technical skills or education even though the job description includes technical requirements gathering, being responsible for training and all client support. No educational or technical requirements for this job at all, apparently. You just have to be willing to travel, to work nights, and really want to elect democrats. Apparently that firm is run by a couple of ex-Clinton staffers. Hope they aren’t the same people who set up her email system. ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/138 "2020-02-04T18:44:55Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Plus some people are not allowed to caucus, specifically people who work nights. I wanted to caucus in Colorado in 2016 but couldn’t since I worked 2 jobs. Thankfully we have primaries now. Iowa and Nevada have a solution for that - “satellite caucuses,” where you caucus earlier in the day from near where you work. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/139 "2020-02-04T18:50:50Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > Better solution was to scrap the caucus and have a primary. … Yeah - if these dumbfuck rubes INSIST on following such archaic practices, and INSIST on being first, they ought to make MINIMAL effort to do so responsibly. You’re telling me that, with however many precincts, they couldn’t POSSIBLY set up a system with sufficient phones to accept the results? Maybe assigning precincts time slots in which to call? We’re talking about a ONE DAY effort! I just don’t see how a low tech system couldn’t handle this. Fuck - go back to telegrams for crying out loud! But if you are going to apply higher tech, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of possible communications platforms which could process some 5000 bits of information over a several hour period. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465/140 "2020-02-04T18:56:47Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Yeah - if these dumbfuck rubes INSIST on following such archaic practices, and INSIST on being first, they ought to make MINIMAL effort to do so responsibly. You’re telling me that, with however many precincts, they couldn’t POSSIBLY set up a system with sufficient phones to accept the results? Maybe assigning precincts time slots in which to call? We’re talking about a ONE DAY effort! > > I just don’t see how a low tech system couldn’t handle this. Fuck - go back to telegrams for crying out loud! > > But if you are going to apply higher tech, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of possible communications platforms which could process some 5000 bits of information over a several hour period. They could have just given each precinct a pre-formatted excel spreadsheet, then had them e-mail it in. It would have taken about a day to write a script to scrape them all and tabulate the results. But then it wouldn’t be a cool app. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-caucus-discussion/847465.md?page=8)