(what a whole lot of us were doin' one year ago today... :D - promoted by poligirl)
A year ago tonight, nearly 240,000 Iowans spent a couple of hours in overcrowded rooms during the Democratic precinct caucuses.
Thousands of others came to freezing cold Iowa to knock on doors or make phone calls for their presidential candidate in late December and early January.
Share any memories you have about caucusing or volunteering in this thread.
After the jump I re-posted my account of what happened at my own caucus. I was a precinct captain for Edwards.
I do most of my writing at the Iowa progressive community blog Bleeding Heartland.
Last year at this time I was scrambling to make as many phone calls and knock on as many doors as I could before the Iowa caucuses on January 3.
This week I had a little more time to reflect on the year that just ended.
After the jump I've linked to Bleeding Heartland highlights in 2008. Most of the links relate to Iowa politics, but some also covered issues or strategy of national importance.
I only linked to a few posts about the presidential race. I'll do a review of Bleeding Heartland's 2008 presidential election coverage later this month.
ABC reporting that the new team will be unveiled at a press conference in Chicago on Monday:
Pending Senate confirmation, the President-elect's national security team will include: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who will serve as Secretary of State in his administration; Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano who will be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; attorney Eric Holder, Attorney General; Retired Marine General Jim Jones, National Security Adviser; retired Adm. Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence; Susan Rice, Ambassador to the United Nations; and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will stay on in that role for at least a year.
This is great! Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton recorded a webcast last night where they discuss the issues that really matter to women (hint, it's not lipstick):
The following is Hillary Clinton's intial statement regarding the conventions and mccain/plain.
"The two party conventions showcased vastly different directions for our country. Senator Obama and Senator Biden offered the new ideas and positive change America needs and deserves after eight years of failed Republican leadership. Senator McCain and Governor Palin do not," Clinton said.
"After listening to all the speeches this week, I heard nothing that suggests the Republicans are ready to fix the economy for middle class families, provide quality affordable health care for all Americans, guarantee equal pay for equal work for women, restore our nation's leadership in a complex world or tackle the myriad of challenges our country faces. So, to slightly amend my comments from Denver: NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN-PALIN." ...
If Clinton does elaborate on her Palin remarks -- either this weekend, when she also has public appearances, or on Monday -- it will be to make a larger point about McCain, not to burrow down into a debate over feminism, sexism or women in politics, advisers said.
First I want to say that I'm happy to see Howard Wolfson coming forth with positive statements about our candidate, Barack Obama. In an Op-Ed in tomorrow's Post (9-1-08), Wolfson finally awakens to the reality of Barack Obama. That's not even my editorializing, it's the way he frames it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
After seeing and hearing Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton give their speeches and what Hillary Clinton said and did with her roll call appearance, there is NO doubt in my mind that both of them put this country first, the Democratic party second and their personal feelings and ambitions third. Both of these great leaders know what needs to be done for the good of this country, the citizens and Our Constitution.
Bill and Hillary Clinton ARE true patriots!
They both know that Barack Obama will be a far superior president and leader to anything the repubs could dig up. I have often felt that Barack Obama was very close in substance and style to Bill Clinton then most people thought. As President, Barack Obama will most likely be able to accomplish more positive things then Bill Clinton was able to, because he will most likely have a majority in both houses of Congress and all of us riding their backs to do what is right and just!
To all who still hold out "hope" for Hillary Clinton to be nominated as Prez or VP or are just so pissed off that you will do anything to harm Barack Obama and Joe Biden and in doing so, also hurt this country.... PLEASE stop!
Hillary Clinton wants all of us to back Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The longer this puma nonsense goes on, the more it will damage Hillary Clinton personally, politically and professionally.
WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton is expected to release her delegates and urge them to vote for Barack Obama...
...
"She is going to strongly encourage everyone to support Obama," said a party official made aware of Clinton's plans.
The following comes from Hillary Clinton's website and from an email I received.
The email is both a congrats and a gentle call for contributions (to pay off her debt). Plus, she does have another Senate race coming up in the future. Nice way to grow the base.
Hillary Clinton made the following statement today after receiving news that Senator Obama had chosen Senator Biden as his Vice Presidential nominee:
"In naming my colleague and friend Senator Joe Biden to be the Vice Presidential nominee, Senator Obama has continued in the best traditions for the Vice Presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Senator Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic Vice President who will help Senator Obama both win the Presidency and govern this great country."
