Some of those delegates to the county conventions don’t want to give up their candidates. They don’t like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, so they plan to stick with their favorite-even if he doesn’t have a chance of being nominated.

One of them is Laurita Gatrelle of Ely who said she wants to stay with the candidate she’s been with for eight years: Edwards the former North Carolina senator. She doesn’t want to make a decision between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Gatrelle, a retired Ely resident, called Edwards “the total package” in an interview with the Iowa Independent this week.

Gatrelle said that a member of Clinton’s team left a message on her answering machine telling her: ‘You can no longer be a delegate for Edwards.’”

But after the county conventions this Saturday, delegates can remain uncommitted or with candidates who are out of the race, providing they meet the 15 percent cut-off for viability.

This was news to Gatrelle, who said she couldn’t decide between Clinton and Obama and that she would stay with Edwards as long as she can.

Gatrelle lives in Linn County, where Edwards will seat 174 delegates at the county convention. That’s one more delegate than Clinton has.

Unless they are able to form a separate group that clears over 15 percent, Richardson and Biden delegates will choose another candidate. Richardson and Biden, with only three delegates apiece in Linn County, are currently below the 15 percent viability to go to district conventions, the next step in the Iowa caucus process.

Johnson County’s Democratic Party has a history of sending second-tier delegates to district, state and national conventions. Iowa City Edwards supporter David Redlawsk is asking delegates to “stick together” for the candidate and the issues raised by the second-place Iowa finisher.

Edwards delegate Jennifer Trivedi of Iowa City said she was staying with the 2004 vice-presidential candidate because of his focus on issues such as “poverty, health care and not taking money from lobbyists.” She and other delegates told the Iowa Independent that they would “honor” Edwards and the issues he raised in his campaign.

Edwards himself remains uncommitted in the two-person contest, although he has privately met with both campaigns, who are seeking his endorsement.

Other candidates’ delegates are still deciding, too.

Several delegates felt it was time to choose and did not want to remain undecided.

Attending the event as her daughter’s alternate, Jean Sippy of Swisher is a Richardson delegate. She said, “it doesn’t make sense” to continue with her candidate or any other choices besides Obama or Clinton. She said she’s leaning toward Obama, but is not yet convinced.

Solon resident Barbara Weets-Caudill was “devastated” when her candidate, Biden, dropped out of the race. She’s an uncommitted delegate who feels that the election was decided by the “news media and corporations” who took the decision “out of the hands of the people.”

Although she joked that she might just call her alternate and let him decide, she said she was going to make a decision by Saturday.

Her precinct, like several others in Johnson County which had only four delegates up for grabs, evenly split among Edwards, Obama, Clinton and a fourth candidate.

And who would make up her “dream” ticket? Biden, of course, paired with a vice-presidential surprise: Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Uncommitted delegate Matt Roberts went to the caucuses with a woman on his mind. That woman, Hillary Clinton, was not viable in his Iowa City precinct so he joined with other candidates also below the magic 15 percent line as a delegate with no name attached. Roberts has given up on Clinton, although he said he could still make “a strong case” for either Clinton or Obama.

He said that McCain’s emergence as the Republican de facto nominee soured him on Clinton’s chances in November, but he stressed that he was still undecided.

The time of the district convention is fast approaching.  On April 26, the delegates will advance and take their commitment to the next level.

Writing at “Off the Bus” on the huffingtonpost.com, they have an article and video footage from the event, including the voice vote that denied Joe Biden supporters from attaining viability and a delegate to represent them.

The precinct chair explained to one of Biden’s supporters:

“We don’t have time to get the Biden folks back into a group … There are old women in there that need to get home.”

70 delegates were needed to become viable and Biden’s supporters alleged that they were miscounted and not given an opportunity to count all their supporters. The precinct secretary ended their caucus for Biden when he declared “Time’s up!” and forced the group to scramble for their second choices.
Biden supporter Kevin Owens explains his frustration with the process:

Owens said, “I want the second tier to be heard because the national media is ruling the election and that’s wrong.”

Framing the vote in terms of “more time” and “letting Biden have more time” the precinct chair puts the matter to a voice vote in this video:

So-called “first-tier” candidates’ supporters easily shouted down the proposal to allow Biden’s people to reconvene.

Palevsky had this to say about the event:

This vignette is meant to show the chaos inherent in the caucus system and illustrate how well-intentioned people can corrupt the democratic process.

Read the rest of the article at: Biden Stripped of Caucus Delegates: What the Faucus? Palevsky and Kalb were in Iowa covering the caucuses for The Real News.com, an on-line video news network.

[Commentary] I attended the Democratic caucuses last night in Iowa City and recorded the results. Our precinct was allotted 9 delegates and over 500 caucusers showed up in the cold. 

There were reports that some people even walked to their precinct caucus site.

At night. In the winter. To vote.

Can you imagine? As they say in Coralville, “Only in Iowa City!”

My mom was working as a volunteer handing out precinct stickers that tracked the number of participants. I got there early and watched as the caucus site on the U of Iowa campus was filled.

Some numbers from the first round came so slowly you could call them tantalizingly slow.

Below the fold; more caucus chaos captured by Iowa Independent lenses.Part 1 of the video from precinct 21 in Iowa City is below.  In this one, you’ll see the beginning of the process and the first alignment of caucus-goers.

I found it interesting that when the Kucinich team approached the Dodd team, they claimed that their higher numbers meant a critical mass, but when informed of Clinton’s near-viable numbers the reaction was, “Go tell the Richardson people about Hillary Clinton’s low numbers.”

First alignment numbers, plus the final tally, are in this video, part 2 of the caucus from Precinct 21 in Iowa City, Iowa:

After the first alignment and determination that only two candidates were viable, there was some discussion about how to proceed to the next stage of the process, but finally the rule was read aloud by Precinct Chair Dawn Suter and most then went back to their meeting places to caucus some more. The two groups with the most people and only viable candidates stayed in the room — Edwards and Obama.

After a short time, I’d really expected an uncommitted group to re-enter the room for a delegate or two. Instead, voters gradually streamed back into the space, some for Obama and some for Edwards.  The final delegate tally was 6 to 3, Obama over Edwards.

Here’s what I missed while I sat down in the main room with the two largest vote-getters:

The remaining candidates went to their meeting spaces. What did they talk about? Was there any discussion of an uncommitted delegate?

Did the Richardson/Kucinich/Biden/Dodd machine consider coagulation, fertilization and viability as an uncommitted group? There were some uncommitted voters already out there, did they caucus for an uncommitted delegate?

Well, I’m sure there are caucusers out there who can attest to that version of the story. Instead, here are two visiting college students with their reaction to the whole messy process of caucusing:

They were visiting from Virginia Commonwealth University and in town to support (who else?) the candidacy of Barack Obama. As observers, they could not take part in the caucus, but they seemed very entertained.

Well, that wraps up my caucus experience.  I’m Adam Burke and this has been my caucus camera from Precinct 21.

In Highlight Reel Part 2: Comparing Candidate Endorsements, you can find more than a dozen candidate endorsements.

In this installment of the Highlight Reel, we’ll hear from the candidates talking about, well, other candidates. Sometimes candidates question each other using the mouthpiece of the media.  This Highlight Reel is limited to commentary from candidates on other candidates.

Below the fold, videos of the candidates talking about each other.Bill Richardson caught some flack from Joe Biden during the AARP debate in Davenport. In this video, responding to Biden’s attack, he said, “Joe Biden is my friend.”

Former governor Bill Richardson recently had questions for other Democratic candidates regarding Iraq.  He said they “decided to stop talking about Iraq.”

In this video, Mitt Romney is asked about the “illegal” war in Iraq.  He responds by saying he’s glad the U.S. didn’t follow Barack Obama’s plan which, as Mitt sees it, would have “yanked” troops out of Iraq too soon.

In this video shot by Iowa Independent reporter Dien Judge, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama calls out former senator John Edwards on his record with lobbyists and so-called 527 soft money groups.

Iowa Independent cameras happened to be rolling when John Edwards was asked about Obama’s criticism of the pro-Edwards 527 groups, some of which are directed by former Edwards’ staffers.

Chris Dodd slammed Hillary Clinton following the same debate in Davenport. He questioned her experience regarding health care reform.

And on a related topic, Obama had this to say about Clinton’s health care work fifteen years ago for her husband’s administration:

If you missed the Highlight Reel Parts 1 and 2, visit these pages for more videos from the presidential campaigns in Iowa:
Highlight Reel Part 1: Comparing Candidate Intros
or
Highlight Reel Part 2: Comparing Candidate Endorsements.

In this installment, we continue with supporters and the people surrounding the candidates. But these videos will be more like full-blown testimony and praise for the candidates.

These videos are interviews with the people who have decided on their candidates leading up to the caucuses; some famous and some not-so-famous.

Below the fold: more than a dozen presidential candidate endorsement videos from the Iowa Independent.Let’s start with some Republican endorsements…

Ken Van Doren drove several hours with a group from Wisconsin to see his candidate, Texas Congressman Ron Paul,  deliver a speech to hundreds of fans on Oct. 26 in Ames, Iowa.

Mike Huckabee has a friend in Bob Anderson. Anderson introduced Huckabee at an event in Vinton, Iowa on Nov. 7 and talks about Huckabee’s “charisma” and “authenticity” in this video.

After months of water-testing by the former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, Ray Garringer and his son, Bryson, witnessed the three-day old candidacy in Cedar Rapids. Thompson had announced he would officially run only three days prior to this event.

Oscar Argueta said he trusts Mitt Romney: “He [Romney] has the sense to do what is right …” He saw the former Massachusetts governor in Washington, Iowa.

Maggie Tinsman is a former state senator from eastern Iowa.  She introduced Rudy Giuliani in Bettendorf, but Iowa Independent cameras were also rolling for an interview in Iowa City.

Young Republican organizer Jacob Nieuwsma saw his candidate, Rudy Giuliani, in Cedar Rapids. Nieuwsma has a GOTV event planned at Linn-Mar High School for caucus night, Jan. 3.

Patrick Riley and his mom, Sarah Riley, talk about Democratic Senator Joe Biden at a house party in Marion, Iowa.

Another Biden endorsement video, this time it’s State Sen. Joe Seng talking about his candidate with the Iowa Independent in Davenport after the AARP debates.  Seng was the first state senator from Iowa to endorse Biden for president.

The International Association of Firefighters rolled out their endorsement of Sen. Chris Dodd in Iowa City on Aug. 30. This was one of the first presidential caucus event videos for the Iowa Independent.

Another Dodd supporter, Eva Bunnell, was in Davenport talking about her close family friend. Iowa Independent reporter Lynda Waddington has a video of Bunnell’s speech in Cedar Rapids.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne were in Grinnell to play a short concert for John Edwards.  Interestingly, Browne had donated to Barack Obama’s campaign before shifting his support to Edwards.

James Lowe is another Edwards supporter.  He was in Lisbon, Iowa talking up his candidate. Lowe’s story has become well-known after Edwards has used it as an example of problems in the U.S. health care system.

P.J. Sesker-Green said Bill Richardson was the only candidate who promised her that he would bring the troops home. In this video, she explains what led to her support of Richardson and she talks about her nephew, Sgt. Daniel Sesker, who died in Iraq.

Hillary Clinton fan and precinct captain Lars Lavender, a Parnell, Iowa resident, likes her strength and experience. He saw her on Dec. 8 in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Health care workers for Hillary, right? And college students for Obama?
Not in the Taylor family! In this video, mom and daughter have chosen different candidates but sat together on Oct. 6 at the Johnson County BBQ.
[Cute baby ALERT!]

Harris Wofford is a former senator from Pennsylvania. Considered by Bill Clinton as a running mate in 1992, he was in Mt. Vernon, Iowa to endorse and introduce Barack Obama.

For more Iowa Independent videos check out the youTube channel for the I.I. at:
http://www.youtube.c…

Coming next in the Highlight Reel series is Part 3: Comparing the Candidates on Comparing the Candidates.  The candidates talk about each other in Part 3, so stay tuned!

If you missed Highlight Reel Part 1: Comparing Candidate Introductions, click here for more videos: http://www.iowaindep…

Sometimes the warm-up speech is short and sweet, Hillary Clinton often had a local organizer read a few words, but sometimes she had the “Big Dog” Bill Clinton in tow.  Barack Obama had Oprah Winfrey introduce him a few times in Iowa, but he also had retired Air Force general Merrill Anthony “Tony” McPeak, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, introduce him in Vinton, Iowa.

Mitt Romney recently had his wife, Ann Romney, publicly endorse him in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

And Fred Thompson had his buddy, Congressman Steve King, give a warm-up in Washington, Iowa.

Below the fold, videos of three very different introductions for Obama, Romney, and Thompson.

Ann Romney is the wife of Mitt Romney, presidential candidate.  After her introduction of him, when an audience member told the candidate his potential first lady was “cuter” than he was, the former governor played along.

Candidate Romney said, “She’s hot too,” as he licked his finger and then made a sizzling sound before beginning his 10-minute speech.

That’s one way to thank the person who introduced you.

Here is Ann Romney on her man Mitt:

When Barack Obama was introduced recently by retired General Merrill Anthony “Tony” McPeak he asked the crowd, “What qualities do we want from a commander-in-chief?” He gave a list of characteristics and slanted the results to favor his candidate, Barack Obama. But McPeak likes the entire field of candidates and admitted that “If you look at the crowd of candidates, they’re all pretty smart, the people that are running on both sides.”

He talked about foreign policy and the need for “a new and a great commander-in-chief.”  McPeak then introduced a Vinton precinct captain for Obama, Elaine Harrington, who introduced the candidate.

Later, before beginning his speech, Sen. Obama said McPeak was “cool” because he resembled movie legend Clint Eastwood.

U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa’s western fifth district gave a testimony to the “fun” of campaigning by bus with former senator Fred Thompson. Part of King’s introduction concentrated on what he called “destiny” issues. He noted Thompson’s shepherding of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts nomination.  He also told the crowd that Supreme Court Justices Stevens and Ginsberg were the most likely to retire next. His personal fantasy?  He wants to see Ginsberg and Stevens “fall madly in love with each other and elope to Cuba.”

King roused the crowd for Thompson’s entrance and once onstage, Thompson reeled off a series of jokes that had the audience laughing loudly for minutes.

Here’s part of King’s intro and Thompson’s comedy routine preceding his speech:

Thompson said King was, “not an average politician, he’s something special.”

The next “Highlight Reel” will focus on candidate endorsement videos. Stay tuned!

State Rep. Sandy Greiner of District 89 is a Thompson supporter. She told the Iowa Independent that she’s met all the candidates except for Rudy Giuliani.  She and other interested voters from her community were able to meet with Thompson and others behind closed doors and ask them about, as she said, “anything.”

She told the Iowa Independent, “In Fred Thompson, we have a man who has long-held” conservative beliefs regarding immigration, second amendment rights, and life issues.

A short video interview with Greiner is below the fold.Greiner is not worried by the perception of Thompson’s laid-back campaign style.

She said, “Age and treachery always overcome youth and exuberance.”

He also talked about “the mindset of our global enemy.”

Another clip from Thompson’s speech is below the fold.Congressman Steve King introduced the former Tennessee senator who took the stage from behind a curtain.

Thompson’s campaign slogan is “The Clear Conservative Choice,” to drive home this theme the film and television actor leaned heavily on a stage prop, his podium, that was made of clear lucite panels.

Thompson finished his speech with a sketch of his “sound conservative principles.”

Thompson’s tour bus crossed paths with John Edwards’ tour bus on Main Street in Washington, Iowa after the event. Thompson acknowledged Edwards who was visiting the public library, “I hope he learns something while he’s over there.”

But after his speech, she said she had made up her mind and will caucus for Obama on Jan. 3, 2008.

Before the event, she was leaning toward caucusing for Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and had made Obama her second choice after taking an on-line quiz to see who most closely matched her ideal candidate. The result from the website was Dodd. 

But after listening to Obama speak, Roepke changed her mind. She said that the Illinois senator has “a much better chance” than Dodd.