I'm leaving soon for my caucus!
Just wanted to let you know that Iowans will be fighting like hell for Bernie in our Iowa caucuses.
The phone calling is done. The canvassing is over (and boy are my calves sore!).
My speech is written. I'll be standing up for Bernie at our caucus and making the case for him (as well many others). I hope my words can do justice to this amazing man who deserves to be our next President. I'm so nervous, but very hopeful and excited.
This is what we've waited months for.
I feel so damn lucky. I used to listen to Bernie's Senate-floor soundbytes and speeches and feel so hopeful. Finally, someone was speaking for me. Someone was saying what I thought. I was happy to hear his words, but I knew the reality--he's just one man in the Senate.
All of that changed when he decided to run for President. Suddenly, my guy was the real deal.
Sanders started out at 4 percent in Iowa with no organization, no volunteers and no money. He just earned more than 3,000,000 individual contributions and he's now within the margin of error in most polls--and ahead in a few too.
We've come a long way!
I'm picking up cookies from our local bakery to take to the caucus (they've got donkeys on them). I'm hoping that breaks the ice with the undecided, O'Malley supporters and any Clinton supporters who may want to chat about Bernie.
I just found out that CNN will be at our precinct, reporting. One of the other precinct captains is a "Nurses For Bernie" campaigner. She's been throughout our state, helping Bernie spotlight the fact that nurses support him and his single-payer plan.
I'll see friends and neighbors who will be caucusing for Bernie and some of the people that I've canvassed and talked to on the phone.
I live in a conservative area. This is not Bernie territory, but I feel that we've worked our hearts out--searching for Bernie votes, finding them and ensuring that they'll be there today. I feel that if we can hold the line here and get 50 percent--we've won.
Earlier this weekend, our local organizer told us that we had so many volunteers in our small suburb of 50,000, that she expected us to knock on all of the doors of Sanders supporters, Independents leaning and others who indicated they'd be supporting Bernie. We were able to do that in two days and now we're going back through and contacting them again. It's just amazing.
The counties to watch tonight are: Johnson, Blackhawk and Story. All contain big universities. If Bernie is on track to win, he needs to take these counties by decent margins. Also, Polk County. Polk County has 18 percent of the state's total delegates. It's a big deal. If Bernie can win here by a decent margin, that bodes very, very well for him. Des Moines is in Polk County. DSM is the largest city in Iowa. It is young, hip, growing and the downtown area has been revitalized. More young people live there (and additional 15,000) than lived there in 2008, when Obama won it. Because it's the state capital, there's a lot of Hillary loyalists and establishment votes. So, that's a county to watch. Also, watch the Western Counties in which Sioux City and Council Bluffs. These are Hillary strongholds. She won these counties in 2008. But that rascal Bernie has offices there and has impressive ground games and his rallies in these spots have been very well attended.
Please remember that the small, rural counties tend to report their caucus results FIRST. Because they are smaller precincts, their results come in faster. Those first-reporting precincts will most likely go to Hillary. She does better in very red, rural areas. So, keep that in mind and don't sweat it too much. Wait for those other counties that I mentioned above to begin reporting.
I'll update when I can. I'll try to give a very short reading of our room, if I am able. No promises, but I will try! There's just so much going on at the caucus, but I'll do my best.
Hang in there, don't worry and stay positive! Lots of reasons to do all three!
Let's go Iowa!!!!!!! Feel the Bern!!!!!! 
= new reply since forum marked as read
Feel the Bern! 
Let's do this thing.
Will be watching every second! What are you wearing? I want to watch for you! 
We'll keep an eye out for you.
Once again thanks for all you are doing for Bernie an ALL THE REST OF US!!
Peace to you and yours, CoffeCat
Most sincere thanks for all your hard work. 
Thank you sooooo much for all your hard work and information! Be proud! We are with you! Let's roll!
Thank you for this awe-inspiring post and we'll be rooting for you tonight. I have faith that your sincerity and enthusiasm will do more than all the corporate money in the world.
Thanks for all your work!
I'll be watching from a motel in Rochester, NY.. On the road, sort of.
Thanks for all your work in Iowa and here.
good wishes and hi confidence in you all from Kansas. I am hoping for this, 
, tonight from the media.
Have fun and go get 'em!
I won't panic over the early numbers if they don't swing Bernie's way.
because I'll be at my own small town caucus. 
Have a ball! 
Thanks for the wonderful posts and good luck tonight!
Thanks for everything you do.
"Thank you" doesn't seem enough to say for the gratitude I feel. Also feeling the Bern here! Donkey cookies? 
A very cool idea.
hopefully it won't be a slug fest but the Hillary supporters have me a bit panicked. Vulgar types. 
either way Yes I can. is better than no I can't
And thanks
Give 'em heck!!
Go CoffeeCat, Go Bernie
Bern Baby Bern 
they are on fire to vote for him!
You rock, CoffeeCat! 
What an outstanding representative of democracy in action you are. Well done, CoffeeCat! I love your posts, they're so uplifting.
Have a fabulous time tonight, and I know I'm not alone in looking forward to reading your updates.
About 30 minutes until closing.
Go Berners Go!
and I'm pretty sure you've had a big impact. A huuuuge THANK YOU from Los Angeles.
XOXOXO
Do D's and R's caucus in the same locations together or do they have different locations for the two parties??
Also, THANK YOU Coffee, and THANK YOU, BERNIE!!
I feel the same way about Bernie. He was "my guy" speaking my thoughts on the Senate floor. Saying & doing exactly what I would do if I were in the Senate.
Deliver that speech from the heart w/all the emotion of finally having "our guy" a strong possibility!
