I have just now, for the first time, witnessed a couple of the Iowa caucuses. They were

[Atticus]

"satellite" caucuses, either for shift workers or Iowans in Arizona or Florida. I was amazed, but not in a good way.

This "gymnasium assembly" method seems more suited for choosing class officers in high school than selecting a candidate to seek the office of POTUS. I know dozens of good Democrats in my bright red community who, due to their age, physical limitations or simply a distaste for "letting it all hang out", would never attend such a public spectacle. I am speaking of others, not myself.

The privacy of the voting booth, IMHO, allows for a more honest outcome. I witnessed one "realignment" after which one voter, when asked why she had made "A" her second choice rather than "B", replied simply that the "A" supported had approached her first.

So much for sober reflection.

[DonaldsRump]

1. I totally agree

I read about how it was done in a NY Times article over the weekend, and posted on DU about how shocked I was that this is how Iowa is done.

It seems rife to be gamed, to not be indicative of anything, etc.

Now that I have some understanding of the process, I cannot believe how much emphasis there is on caucuses.

[squirecam]

2. They are terrible

NV at least allows early voting this year.

[SharonClark]

3. My understanding is that the media

can only observe and not stand among the groups and interview the voters. Non-voters are suppose to wear observer badges and not interfere with the process. Watching Katy Tur at Drake’s satellite caucus clearly violated this rule.

[Baclava]

6. Katy Tur is right there on the floor, asking why they voted the way they did, evidently that's ok

Others are doing the same

[Habibi]

4. That was how I felt about them, the two

caucuses I attended when I lived in MN. "Choosing class officers in high school" pretty much sums it up.

[question everything]

5. A friend's child was active on the Obama campaign in 2008

So with the lack of privacy in the Iowa caucuses and with the child present, this friend added the voice to Obama in that caucus. But this friend had reservations about Obama so in November voted for McCain.

And yet, these undemocratic systems decide the nominee. This is one more reason to get rid of IA as “first in the nation”

[lapucelle]

7. Jeff Zelaney from CNN was actually interacting with caucusers

as they were regrouping for the second round and asking them questions.

Horrible.

[NanceGreggs]

8. I feel like I'm watching an SNL parody. n/t