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.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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