Participant at a caucus paints the picture perfectly

[Dover]

This is from another forum. If you had any doubts...this sure shows the organized effort to cut Dean's knees out from under him. He truly is the outsider...defined as much by the actions of the other
Dems as anything else.

Iowa Caucus

Just back from the caucus. One with 450 people. Interesting. There were 6 candidate groups around a gym. From right to left they were Kerry, Gephard at one end then Dean in the corner, followed by Kucinich then Edwards. Across the room, all by them selves a few Clark people. There were only three uncommitted and they out numbered the Lieberman and Sharpton people of whom there were none.

The first thing to happen is all of the Edwards and Kucinich people joined as one in the hope they would have enough for a place at the table each. It was difficult to tell but but their ranks seemed about equal. The Clark people were to few to be viable and they shifted in mass over to the Edwards/Kucinich block.
The Gephardt group, who just missed being viable by a few people, shifted in mass over to the Kerry group. The Dean group sat in the middle as the two sides joined together snf I don't think a single person shifted to the Dean group.

So it ended up with three groups and the deligates went; one for Kerry, one for Edwards, one for Kucinich and two for Dean. Probably the same thing all over with some variations. Gephardt supporters ened up in Kerry's column. Kucinich held up in this case but elsewhere I think Edwards picked up his supporters.

From the state figures most of the suspect undecided went Edwards way. He is probably the big winner here even though he was second with Kerry first. The party "regulars" split between Kerry and Gephardt. In other words as Gephardt went down Kerry went up. Everything else flowed Edwards way. Dean in third, with the image of front runner was hurt but Gephardt's shot was dead.

[MissMarple]

1. Thanks, sounds credible. But I think we all still won tonight.

These are great candidates, small "d" dems are still ahead.

[aquart]

2. Probably true. And the lesson?

Dean needs to hone his skills of working and playing well with others.

Why should the others all be friends and Dean not?

The caucus situation won't exist elsewhere. But Dean isn't going to get anywhere bad-mouthing fellow Dems.

Time he looked at his whole campaign and ad structure. And spoke to whichever of his people think of themselves as some kind of religious disciples.

Clinton got in as an outsider, and I swear to God no Democrat in Congress ever lifted a hand to help him. Does Dean want that?

[Old and In the Way]

3. Good point

"Clinton got in as an outsider, and I swear to God no Democrat in Congress ever lifted a hand to help him."

Assuming a Democratic win, the Republicans, as a whole, will be more radical and ideological than their counterparts who Clinton faced in 92. You know that this election will be the most devisive and bitter contests ever....it won't end on election day, either.

Whoever is elected may not have either House in his control. He'll need to build coalitions immediately...starting with his own Party. A question to think about, will Kerry or Edwards have an edge there?

Another thing that needs to be part of this campaign....who has the shirt tails....an "outsider" or an "insider" in the general election?