Do Iowa Republicans caucus also, or do they just pretty much show up and vote?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

I was curious if they have the same system as the Democrats.

[DURHAM D]

1. Sometimes - in 2004 the Republicans didn't caucus so

they came over and joined the Dems on caucus evening.

I think Repubs and Independents (unhappy Repubs) have a tough choice tonight - go caucus with their own party or go play with the Dems.

[zorahopkins]

2. Iowa Republicans

Iowa Republicans stand around, with the knuckles dragging the ground, beathing through their noses.

They grunt at each other while someone holds up pictures of the republican candidates for president.

Then they do a weird dance.

Some of them handle snakes.

Then they leave.

It's really quite bizarre.

[MercutioATC]

Isn't that the caucus process in a nutshell?

Ok, maybe the Dems don't actually handle snakes....

[zorahopkins]

7. Democrats Breathe Through The Nose

Democrats breathe through the nose.

Democrats are not knuckle-draggers.

And I don't think we grunt at each other.

[MercutioATC]

9. But we still have the same basic steps, right?

1) The displaying of the munchies
2) The showing of the picture
3) The strange dance
4) The going home

You left out the use of foodstuffs to attract bodies to a given corner....

[zorahopkins]

13. "Display Of The Munchies"?

Call me a prude, but I'll never display my munchies in public!

[MercutioATC]

15. Ahhh, but you're not running for public office...

Literally or metaphorically, ALL candidates display their munchies...

[bonito]

3. Show up and vote annonymously I believe n/t

[Buzz Clik]

6. Not so much anonymous as incognito.

Seriously -- who wants to be identified as a Republican these days?

[Buzz Clik]

4. It's my understanding that they meet in the restrooms of public buildings.

They sit in adjacent stalls, communicate by tapping their feet and passing notes. When the coast is clear, they select a candidate, if you know what I mean.

[napi21]

5. They do caucus, but it's different than the Derms. They have their

speeches and all, but then they vote and go home. There's none of the 15% stuff or second ballots.

BTW the Pubs didn't have a caucus in 04 because they all loved Shrub and no one ran against him.

[CornField]

8. True -- in the GOP caucus, they come together as a group and discuss

But the actual vote is by ballot and it is secret. Also, they do not award delegates like the Dems.

[enid602]

10. wider

The pukes caucus as well, but they have a much wider stance.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. The Iowa SoS's Site...

... is a great place to find http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2570855&mesg_id=2570855">all the answers to caucus questions you were always afraid to ask.

: )

Hope that helps.

- Dave

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

12. Thanks for this!

[CorpGovActivist]

14. You Bet! n/t