Aren't republicans likely to caucus as sabotagers/spoilers in Iowa?

[DaisyUCSB]

I heard on the radio that registration is up 300 percent!

Don't you think it's likely that considering Iowa is a 40/40 state, why WOULDN'T at least a few thousand conservative republicans decide to do something they think is going to help Bush, by caucusing for whoever they see as the weakest candidate.

Apparently it's VERY easy to just become a democrat for and on the day of the caucus

[_Jumper_]

1. Good point

I wonder who they will vote for...

[dorktv]

2. Well depends what the hive queen wants.

Rove wants ANYONE but Dean...Most likely Liberman.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Dean

the freepers want Dean so bad, they can taste it. He cannot beat Bush.

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. Oh yes he can and he will!

And if the Freeps really want to help us out with that, let the joke be on them :evilgrin:

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. No he can't and won't.......n/t

[ProudToBeLiberal]

3. Most want Dean to win

I'll be happy if they vote for Dean:) go dean

[DaisyUCSB]

13. That isn't really very pro-democratic

not democratic primary, but in terms of democracy. Don't you think that political parties, if they are to have primaries and caucuses, deserve to put up who the real party members think has the best shot and represents there values

whoever the candidates might be

[bobbieinok]

4. your precinct is your neighborhood

Most people would see a neighbor republican and really unmercifully 'tease' him/her......'Hey Sally, after working for Nixon, Reagan, and Bush you're becoming a DEMOCRAT??????'

Actually, there might be a fair number who really are turning against Bush. But neighbors would know who's sincere and who's not - sincere in changing parties.

If there were to be a problem, I'd think it would only work in college towns with students (how many in college now were in this precinct 4 years ago). Or in apartment areas.

My impression from 20+ years in IA is that the IA democratic party is incredibly well organized. If they think they might have a problem, I bet they have some safeguards and procedures in place.

[AntiCoup2K4]

6. Since changing registration would be neccessary....

...wouldn't that be easy enough to trace, assuming somebody wanted to trouble themselves with the research? Registered Republicans suddenly turning Democrat just before caucus time.... there would definitely be a paper trail. And as we all know, Republicans hate verifiable paper trails when it comes to voting :)

[dflprincess]

24. Does Iowa require party registration?

Minnesota doesn't. All you have to do is sign the sheet that says you generally support the DFL and intend to vote for Democratic candidates. Though, if you are a plant, other people at the caucus could question your sincerity.

In Minnesota the national delegates are not elected at the caucus. A disrupter would have to be willing to make the time commitment to attend not only the caucus but - to have any lasting effect - they would have to get themselves elected to their senate district convention where they would have to try to get elected to the Congressional District and State Conventions. It's at the Congressional District and State Conventions that the national delegates are selected. I believe Iowa's system works in much the same way.

Unless Republicans flood the caucuses I don't think they'd have a long term effect.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. It's my understanding that only D/I's are allowed to caucus

the Dem caucus.

[DaisyUCSB]

9. But the IO sec of state was on TV explaining how easy it was to become

a dem to caucus on the day of the primary

[YellowDawgDemocrat]

10. Apparently there is no law stopping sudden party switchers

This could very well happen. I've seen it being advocated several times. Dean seems to be the target switch. Hey, as far as I'm concerned, go for it. But, I'm a Deaniac:)

[DaisyUCSB]

14. how do you defend that?

I don't support any candidate right now, but that sort of offends me, that acceptance of immorality if it serves your purpouses

[NewHampster]

11. Just watched a Repub switch party on C-span

Unbeleivable. Walks up says i need to change party gets handed the correct forms

In NH you have to switch back in the fall sometime.

Not a good thing if the repukes get a few thousand out there.

[mike1963]

15. Could they switch 'back' before the GE? That sounds pretty weird...

:eyes:

[NewHampster]

17. Party doesn't matter in the general

they just switch back to repub sometime before the next caucus in 4 years.

[SangamonTaylor]

20. The more republicans switch the better

The independents and moderate republicans are tired of the bush administration and I'm betting they are highly interested in this nomination (to try to elect a decent moderate in the white house)

[goodhue]

22. exactly n/t

[Mz Pip]

16. I suppose it's possible

but I kind of doubt that Republicans would risk the scorn of their neighbors and the bad press that would ensue to do this. THese are small communities so I just don't see it happening. Maybe a few but not enough to make a huge difference.

MzPip
:dem:

[goodhue]

18. don't think there will be a lot

but certainly some
so who do you think they will caucus for?

[DaisyUCSB]

21. I'm pretty sure the concensus is Dean is the weakest

whether you agree or not

[creativelcro]

23. I'm pretty sure it's not spelled "concensus"

[creativelcro]

19. You see ? The issue is that nobody knows who's the weakest....

perhaps what they'll help pick ends up beating Bush... Not as easy as it seems. If they pick the worst, Lieberman, still he won't win... I think if there is cheating it is not directed in a top-down manner... Just people or small groups acting on their own...