Me again. in These titles mean nothing.

SOMEONE said I had written three days in a row = so now it’s four. That is if I get something said and saved. Let’s assume so.

It’s Monday night and Jim is at Planning & Zoning. They have a Christmas party which I can only imagine. It would involve plats and festive complaints I suppose. Actually one of the women brings treats every month so at Christmas they pay her back with a cheese tray she can take home for her family’s holiday plus one to consume on premise. He’s been on the committee for ten or so years now and he likes a step or two out into the world.

I’ve never been to a meeting, I figure it’s his thing, you know? Tomorrow afternoon though they or someone is seeking public input for their strategic plan - or something like that. It’s all afternoon and people are free to come and go. I asked if the people giving opinions had to be informed and he shrugged. I doubt I’ll go. I have a hard time getting out of the house - unless I’m out of groceries. There are supposed to be light snacks but I don’t know if that’s enough enticement.

Yesterday afternoon I did my on-line class and test for being a caucus helper. I’ve been chair of several caucuses and they are all pretty much the same but they asked this time if I’d help so I suppose it’s the least I can do. The online test started out confusing as hell but it smoothed out and I did ok. I have this aging thing going on - that you are very aware of since it’s all I write about - and I’m not sure I am smart enough to do much of anything so it was reassuring that I got through the test. I can go to the library and print out my certification but the county chair said I don’t have to.

The test and training for caucus chairs and secretaries and helpers is new. Iowa is trying to do a better job with its caucuses because we keep getting told it’s not fair that we get to be the first people making a choice for presidential nominees. Iowa is told that we are too old and white and I suppose we are. The caucuses are relatively new. They came after the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago when there were riots and complaints, a lot based on the Vietnam war. LBJ had decided not to run for reelection and that left the nomination open. In a way to improve the system at that time more states decided to have primary elections and caucuses and somehow Iowa got to be first. Anyone who wants to explain that better is free to.

A caucus is a meeting of party members - ours is to organize for county convention, to select delegates and committee members, submit issues or planks for platforms, and to decide who we want for the Presidential nominee. Every time there is a contest, there is more publicity, more campaigning, more phone calls, more meetings, more flyers in the mail. I’ve always felt I liked politics, liked meeting or hearing about candidates, etc. but I’m ready to give up the first in the country caucuses. Let some other state have them.

Having said that I got to hear Amy Klobuchar speak a week or so ago. I liked her a lot. She’s from Minnesota. She’s my kids’ Senator. She’s been working hard etc. etc. She probably has a snow ball’s chance in hell. I still want a woman president. I was going to caucus for Kamala Harris but she’s quit. I do not like Bernie, or Warren, or Buttigieg. So that leaves Biden. Biden is a pro and experienced. He’s a Democrat and he has a better chance than Klobuchar does. I suppose I’ll either caucus for Klobuchar and if she’s not viable = does not have 15% of the attendees, I will go to Biden.

Big new thing this year is voting cards - like paper ballots with a blue side for first choice and a yellow side for second choice. You can also sign for a candidate that is not viable, not has 15% of the attendees and that will be recorded too. All cards are picked up and saved so we will have a paper trail in case someone wants a recount.

In my opinion, caucuses are good if they are small neighborhood meetings but when you get several hundred or more people together trying to make these decisions there is just too much room for error or mischief. Not to mention confusion.

This will be Iowa’s last caucus. There, you heard it here first.

Last updated December 16, 2019