[Free Vulcan]

Gannett paper - link only:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-22-thompson-iowa_N.htm

[Free Vulcan]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-22-thompson-iowa_N.htm

[Always Right]

Fred’s gaining, although not fast enough to win. I think he will have a strong 2nd or 3rd place in Iowa with a bit over 20% of the vote.

[airborne]

Iowa caucuses seem to be designed to benifit the wealthier candidates.

This explanation from Wikipedia -- "The Republican caucuses are a straw poll where each voter casts his or her vote by secret ballot. Voters are presented blank sheets of paper with no candidate names on them. After listening to some campaigning for each candidate by caucus participants, they write their choices down and the Republican Party of Iowa tabulates the results at each precinct and transmits them to the media. [1] The non-binding results are tabulated and reported to the state party which releases the results to the media." -- makes me think this system is so antiquated that it isn't all that reliable a measuring stick for any candidate.

The subsequent primary elections will be much more telling, IMHO.

I wonder whether this caucus will be more for the media than it is for the voters.

[Domangart]

This is front loaded as anyone knew long ago. As much as I like Fred who is clearly the best man, his lack of fire like Rudy is a draw back. The winner must appeal to a wide group of voters in select states. It doesn’t matter if the Hildibeasty wins Cal by 10,000,000 votes. She is still a no sale in a lot of the US. When this is over we will wonder how the next Bob Dole slipped in there.

[hinckley buzzard]

I would really like to see Fred rally to a viable finish in Iowa. Now that the Huckabee has shown himself to be a worthless snake in the grass, and Romney still gives off bad vibes about sincerity(an irrational response, I know, but I trust my gut), Fred is the only viable conservative in the race. Hunter would be great but he's dead in the water.

Any Iowans here, please caucus for Thompson.

[billorites]

"Tough to tell if Thompson is gaining in Iowa"

Oh, c'mon.

Tough to tell?

Tough to accept is more like it...

[Octar]

This Iowa “caucus” is a joke. I’m amazed anyone pays any attention to it. It is indicative of nothing.

[crz]

The thing about Thompson is that he hasnt yet been drawn into the ME ME ME tac that the rest have. Then there is the out and out lying and all by the rest-Dems and Republicans.

I think Mr Thompson is level headed enough to put some civility back into politics at a time when we really need it. If he falls and doesnt get the nod, I am afraid we are headed for all out civil war in this country. The shouting has been going on for years now and all it would take is a spark to get it going.

If Fred would simply say he would back a Fair Tax or some other form of tax and abolish the present tax system, he would rocket to the front of the pack. Be a champion of the working class..he already has the rest of the issues nailed down pretty good.

[cquiggy]

I think Fred will have a very strong showing in Iowa. Leaving Romney/or the 50 million dollar man scratching his head.

[W04Man]

HE SURE IS GAINING WITH THE TROOPS!! SEE: http://Vets4Fred.net

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeLIm_XVOhQ