'A Perfect Day For Caucusing'
Supporters say Clinton can withstand the Iowa chill. (AP).
By Jose Antonio Vargas
WEST DES MOINES--It's 9 a.m. CST, a cold but sunny Thursday in Des Moines. "A perfect day," says Tom Laughead, a 49-year-old bicycle shop manager, "for caucusing."
A lot is riding on Laughead's shoulders today. He's the precinct chair for Sen. Hillary Clinton in one of West Des Moines' 17 precincts, and it's his job to get Clinton's caucusgoers to the precinct tonight. He's got a schedule. At noon, he's knocking on doors around his house here on Woodland Avenue. Three hours later, he'll pick up some food for the caucus site, and will check in with two other Clinton volunteers who are driving caususgoers to their precinct.
The stump speeches, the town hall meetings, the mailers, all that ends today. Now it's all about GOTV, caucus-speak for "get out the vote." Campaigns have strategies at work. If you're caucusing for Sen. Barack Obama and need a baby-sitter, no problem. Elderly supporters of Sen. Chris Dodd can get a ride from volunteers. Clinton has distributed more than 600 shovels -- just in case it snows tonight.
Volunteers such as Laughead play a key role in a day like this.
"It's gonna be a busy day," says the father of three, sighing and smiling at the same time.
Posted at 10:42 AM ET on Jan 3, 2008
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Posted by: namastetoyou | February 24, 2008 8:40 PM
i think pre-emptive war and foreign military aid are legitimate foreign policy options (see Iraq). i also agree that HMOs are a natural evolution and appropriate mandate of a benevolent Federal Government (see Nixon's HMO Act of 1973). i also believe that our nation is one of equal outcome, not equal opportunity (see Karl Marx). i consider myself to be a "Progressive."
therefore i will be voting for Hitlery in '08!!
Posted by: millionea7 | January 3, 2008 4:13 PM
Here's the Republican propaganda for the salesman:
Is it obvious that they let this rookie to have a free ride about his record?
Is it obvious that the Republicans aim the attack only to Hillary Clinton?
Is it obvious that most of the Independents (Republican) are voting for this rookie?
Republicans know they will eat him alive if he is the Democrat nominee. Here are the facts that Republicans will use against him:
..Muslim blood. Muslim's sons are Muslims for life. Blood is sticker than water.
..refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. He did not want to offend ISLAM so he refused.
..claims he's running on his record.. He did not even know how to cast a "Yes" or "No" vote. What a coward?
.. had 17 years' old unpaid outstanding parking tickets. He should spend sometime in jail.
.insisted that his health care provides care to everyone, does he know what universal means?
..a fabulous orator, but we need more than words; we need a doer not a talker
..he says one thing and does another
..will meet with enemies without preconditions (what a Joke!)
..he said that he was not taking money from the Lobbyists. Yeah right?
..playing old politics as usual, after he promised hope and change....
..used to be a drug addict or a pusher?
..inexperienced, lack of accomplishments
For my fellow Democrats, please don't waste your vote to a salesman! Please be smart.
Posted by: graysce101 | January 3, 2008 2:09 PM
But will Obama's famed indies actually show up?
Posted by: parkerfl | January 3, 2008 11:35 AM
Good luck, Laughead.
Posted by: JakeD | January 3, 2008 10:51 AM
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http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q=node/358'
All I can say is that this is happening in every state. It's organized and they will take him down in the general. If you want a democrat to win this time based on the evidence I have seen I think you cannot vote Obama in this part of the election.
If you do then get ready for McCain. If they thought they could take her down they would not be organized and doing this everywhere, in every state. Caucus states were a big problem for this but, some media spun it "positive"
They have NO intention of sticking with a dem in the general election and we all know it. I switched my vote to Clinton and I sure hope people wake up to what is going on.
Come on Dems. Wake up. Write the DNC and tell them to either get these two on the same ticket OR vote Clinton! Dont' let the republicans win!!