Madhouse

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

It’s 15 minutes to showtime and this place is finally, absolutely packed.

It’s so packed that the crowd has pushed my against a wall - and beside Ron Paul’s deputy campaign manager.

At least a couple hundred Republicans are here, but the Democrats outnumber them by at least five to one.

‘Why should we hurry?’

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

A well-dressed lady in line for the gym, where precinct 314 Republicans will vote in 30 minutes, just casually remarked to another lady in line behind her:

“I said, ‘Why should we hurry if it’s only 5 after 6 (p.m.)?’”

Dems on fire?

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

Wow.

I’m amazed by the Democrat turnout in a supposed GOP stronghold.

Here’s a prediction: I’m betting we learn tomorrow that Democrats in 2008 were supremely organized.

The Huckabee push-around

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

There’s just one voice outside the rooms where the GOP will soon vote: A Huckabee organizer intent on converting every last Republican here into a Huckabee voter.

He’s bald and stocky. And really loud. Perfect.

GOP the better organized party?

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

It’s 45 minutes until voting begins.

Still, there is not a single GOP placard posted in the lawn outside. Maybe lawn signs don’t jive with the GOP penchant for tidy affairs.

‘It’s pretty sad’

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

A couple Fred Thompson supporters, bearing his signs, just showed in the school.

Meanwhile, only about a dozen Republican voters have showed, and they’re totally perplexed about what’s happening here.

Other than the Thompson duo, and now a single Huckabee sign holder, there are no Republicans here.

This is supposedly a GOP bastion. I’m here precisely because the Iowa GOP spokeswoman suggested this would be a great place to cover Republicans.

One voter, reflecting on his party, just told me, “It’s pretty sad.”

“Where are the Republicans?”

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

That’s the questions just posed by a man helping direct people at the door.

Good question.

Though more than 100 Dems are in line for their caucuses, not a single Republican has showed.

Taking out the garbage

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

The gym is finally empty of student athletes.

 One Bill Richardson sign and two Obama signs have joined the dozen Hillary signs in the grass just outside the school’s entrance.

Two female janitors - one wearing shorts, despite the frigid temps outside - are pushing wheeled plastic cans of garbage toward the back.

‘Oh, the caucuses’

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

Students are leaving the school and political organizers are gathering.

As I circled the school’s rotunda, surveying the scene as Hillary backers taped off a section of chairs and tables, a student walking out appeared puzzled by my presence.

I have a phone headset in my ear. I’m carrying a laptop and backpack. I’m wearing a shirt and tie, plus a fleece and jacket. I’m focused, stressed out and walking in circles by myself. 

“The caucuses,” another student remarked to her.

“Oh, the caucuses,” she replied. “That’s where you go to vote.”

Calm before the GOP storm

Add comment January 3rd, 2008

Here at the Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in West Des Moines, there is little sign of the GOP masses expected to convene here by 7 p.m.

Outside the school’s main doors, a man in an “NYC” cap is placing “Hillary” signs in the grass.

In the gym where precinct 314 will meet, a girl’s basketball practice is just wrapping up. The male coach has turned from shouting to repeatedly blowing his whistle.

Precinct 315 will meet in the “vocal music” room, which is empty and locked.

Officials expect upwards of 900 people - mostly Republicans, but Democrats too - to begin arriving here at 6 p.m.