Iowa Holding Nation’s First Primary Tonight

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Steve Benen linked today to a Des Moines Register piece about how the Iowa caucuses work, and when I clicked through I found this graphic:

And there you have it. In one unintentionally funny graphic, the difference between Democrats and Republicans.

On a more serious note, I see that the Republican caucus really doesn’t work the same way as it does on the Democratic side. Here’s the Republican version:

  1. Show up at your precinct.
  2. Elect a caucus chairman, take care of “general business.”
  3. Mark a ballot.
  4. Leave.

So aside from having to listen to a bit of dull throat clearing and possible electioneering before voting, is there really anything left that makes this a caucus and not just a primary? It sure doesn’t sound like it.

Fact:

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