but this is the coldest one. >> thanks much for chatting with us tonight, appreciate it. >> we are approaching 8:00 p.m. on the east coast to 7:00 p.m. and iowa all eyes of the political world on the hawkeye state tonight because the road to 270 for the republican presidential candidate officially begins with iowa tonight. the first in the nation caucus is about to get underway. to our viewers on c-span people watch tonight's voting unfold minute by minute unfiltered and uninterrupted. to her audience on c-span2 we will provide you with a different approach in real time we will give you insights, analysis and historical context about tonight's caucus.

welcome to caucus cast here on c-span2 joining us for this evening. to give us running commentary on the republican caucus are karen who is a medical science professor at iowa state university and a bobbitt beatty who is the political science chair at washburn university. welcome to you both, thank you for both being here. karen for our viewers who might be just joining us right now at the top of the hour tell us why we are and iowa tonight? why are they voting first in the presidential primary contest? >> great question and thank you so much for the invitation to be on tonight's. iowa has had the first the nation caucus since 1972 and it is a product of the mcgovern fraser commission reaching back

into history the democratic national committee had a couple of very contentious national conventions both in 1964 with contest of dual delegations from the state of mississippi. and then in chicago where there were a number of protests inside and outside of the convention. and hubert humphrey from minnesota was vice president at the time, secured the nomination without having one a single primary. he entered some and lost than loss thanthere are others he skr missed because he was a late entrance into the contest. so after that the democratic party form something called the mcgovern fraser commission this commission was designed to open up the party at its prospects. the weight many states chose to do that was to move to

presidential preference primaries however iowa and some other states chose to state with caucuses in order for iowa to be able to meet all of the requirements of the mcgovern fraser commission in terms of ample advertising of dates and location of caucuses and conventions to prepare the materials they had to be mimeographed and sent out with something called the postal service they needed a month between events by the time they got settled down with the calendar iowa had leapfrogged to the beginning of the caucus process and in 1972 no one had really noticed however in 1976 president jimmy carter put iowa on the map by making it the keystone of his strategy to move from being an unknown southern governor to the president of the united states and iowa has

remained first ever since then. >> and bobbitt beatty is the political science chair also joining us this evening. the "des moines register" said a long time caucus supporters likely will tell you the process is not about identifying the next president. it's about narrowing the field, would you agree? >> i agree one 100%. i think people do get a little stuck on it's only 43% winners of the iowa caucus ends up getting the nomination. it's probably the most important function and honestly to be honest i think some people forget about that. in 2020 there were 18 democrats running, 18 that is way too many. but here is what islands do. early on eight, 10, 11 months before the actual caucuses they

go check out these candidates. i have never been to an event and iowa where there have been no people there may be there's s five, eight, 10. but they go, they show up. and this year 2023 -- 20248 states legitimate candidate. and every event i went to their therewas over 100 people there. what island in the polling and their attitude at the event they sort of let the candidate know they are going to have a chance. and so we see candidates drop out. we have seen it happen in 2023 and 2024 north dakota governor, tim scott u.s. sentiment that legitimate can it most famously this time around a former vice president, mike pence comes to

iowa, because numerous events, spends a lot of tim iowa and isn't feeling it. he does not get any real traction and he drops out. it's a significant function of the iowa caucuses this process. does the rest of the states a favor. after iowa and new hampshire now a much larger states. they get three may be at best for candidates and they can deal with that but the other states to be honest do not want to deal with 18 candidates. but iowa is willing to do it. >> a look what they are taking it seriously even in these cold temperatures. this tonight is going to set a record for the coldest caucus with the wind chill, the temperatures are negative 30 in many areas of iowa tonight where there are parts of iowa

officials said you should not go out tonight big ten minutes out you can get hypothermia but here in boone county at this community area at college people are turning out. we talked the gop county chair who said he expects good turnout tonight. so people are filing in. what do they do first year? we see them going to tables and they are proving they are republicans? what is the first step they have to do. >> the first thing they need to do is show up with an id. to make sure they are in the right place this super precinct meeting there are several meeting in one location to the code of an up the wrong location locations within the opportunity to check-in and make sure that they are there the right place. but they are registered republicans they need to check in with the precinct. so they know who is there and so

forth if they are not registered republicans they could register to vote but they have proof of a residence and an id is required under iowa law. then they could register as a republican. at that registered vote if it tt registered is no party or democrat they can then go ahead and change their registration to republican, sign in under the appropriate fully. it really is a very open process. where any registered voter eligible voter who wishes to part dissipate as long as it register republican on site or in advance for. >> regards bob we have seen news reports there could beat democrats who play republican for a day and attend the republican caucuses tonight. register as a republican for

this process for this some reports democrats want to do so so they can vote essentially against the former president. vote for a another candidate. some are saying nikki haley. is that unprecedented? >> no, it happens in american politics. it's not actually very common. i would argue more attention is given to it that and probably actuality it happens. the fact of the matter is americans take their votes very seriously. there can be that gameplaying, it's possible but it does not happen a lot i would want to add a couple things to karen comment. one is a 17-year-old can vote if they are 18 bite november 5 of 2024. that adds to the openness and the interesting aspect of the caucuses. so we may see some young faces

some really young faces with 17-year-old getting into the process. the other is ron desantis is obviously a major candidate. his wife said open back people from other states should come from to. without what they can just come up and vote and they can't. she clarified that but it did sound like she was saying that. what people from out of state can do is they can volunteer. they can observe they can even give a speech for a candidates. but they do have to beat resident students are fine theyr residence but they have to show an envelope or mailing address to show they are at least living and iowa.

>> our c-span audience will notice some familiar faces they know are not violent with ralphh normand the congressman from south carolina marjorie taylor greene the congresswoman from georgia they are this super precinct tonight. spent some of them possibly giving speeches we have heard for the candidates. we will get to that part of the process. but first, talk about how these folks know where to go sit once they get inside the gymnasium. what is happening there? >> is a great question. they are given instructions as to where to go sit. if it's open exceeding risk irrespective of precinct. i think it's very interesting both ralph normand and marjorie taylor greene are there. they are both members of the freedom caucus in the house of representatives and are involved in both of the speaker dramas. the 15 votes to elect kevin

mccarthy they were among them. even though they did both eventually support speaker mccarthy and then of course they were among those that were unhappy with his leadership. it's a very interesting representation of politics. >> how do folks know where to sit? how are they organize once theyy get inside the gymnasium? >> it would probably be seated by precinct. so they could not only have totals for the super precinct but they cannot have each precinct devoted and that is going to be important for recording the results to the national party and of course to the media. >> we have seen folks before they go sit down and there precinct area approach the tables in front of each precinct. what are they doing at that point? >> they are signing in.

if they are registered voters or are proving they have just reregistered so that precinct captains know who among the registered republicans for their precinct are in attendance at the caucus. >> and bobbitt beatty, what are these ballots typically look like? and at what point do they get them and fill them out? >> they get them when they arrive. and as we heard on an earlier interview that is there tickets to and they go sit down. i went to a caucus in 2012 it's very old-school. it's a classic american politics is not like a primary where you can vote on a computer screen or put your ballot and eight machine in the get sucked away. th i it is a piece of paper it has the candidates name on it you take a pen or pencil, whatever

you have you put the exit by its. you're going to hand it in later and they are going to count it. i should say when i with an election observer and the united kingdom to one of their elections, that is exactly how they do that for the parliamentary elections in the united kingdom. so it is old school. we can talk about this more later. but we have to keep in mind this is not a primary so that means the party is in charge of this. all the way. they are paying for it. they are getting all of the volunteers. if this was a primary this state would be paying for it at all the election workers in the counties that are paid by the state that employees of their county they are professional election workers would be running this. though across iowa we are seeing thousands of volunteers and party workers all trying to make this work so that some things

are going to be different then a normal general election summer kind of fun and quaint by having the piece of paper reported exit by a candidate. >> karen, these folks are patiently waiting some have been in that gymnasium probably for 30 minutes plus at this point. it is not a fast process for the republicans but we know it's a much longer would for the democrats. it's not quick you commend, you vote, you get to leave. >> that is right. it's definitely an interactive process. as you see them they chitchat with their neighbors they can be talk about anything, including politics but they're also going to hear speeches from sarah goetz of candidates. or even their neighbors who want to speak on behalf of a particular candidate as well. it is a commitment in terms of time. quotes listen and because carried the boone county gop

chair is about to speak or is speaking. >> of got about 10 people still registering out there. the doors have been locked we are just getting them through the process as soon as they get and will start the program. i apologize for the delay. we just got a really good crowd tonight and it just takes time for same-day registrations. that is what we are trying to accomplish. we want everyone here and have the opportunity to get in here. appreciate your patience and will be back with you shortly. >> all right karen, you were just talking about these folks awaiting for the process to begin you are the gop counties you're thanking them for their patients go ahead. >> yes. and of course they are going to be in the space until about 8:30 p.m. or so tonight. so unlike a primary at the time you would spend for a general election where the time you might spend will be standing in

line with the actual act of voting takes seconds or couple of minutes. the attendance at a caucus requires more time and more commitment. and at my time in iowa i found the voters really do take this seriously. they ask very sophisticated questions that demonstrates a fair amount of nuance on a number public that is not something i have seen commonly in other early states. i live for a time and south carolina and went through six presidential cycles there. the campaign events were not intimate like they are in iowa. they were much more massive media driven and large campaign rallies sort of typical of what you might see in a larger states are at the general election cycle. it's the give-and-take in people's living rooms are at

pizza ranches which i must say have the best fried chicken i have had in the states parenthetically. [laughter] they are really accustomed to asking candidates and getting to know candidates and seeing them over and over again while they very carefully make their decisions. then you will see a lot will show up wearing caps or campaign paraphernalia. i remember one democratic caucus four years ago a person came in dressed as tom steyer. these are pretty common people will demonstrate their patriotism and their commitment to the favorite candidate. >> and bob beatty would you describe the process like dating? [laughter] only and iowa. the running joke many candidates

have told me it is that they say to iowans at an event or something well,e've had a long talk it's almost an hour i have been your joy have your support? they said they will be lucky if the iowans is a you are on my list. and be of only seeing a couple times. it really is an amazing amazing thing when i describe it to people who haven't been up to iowa during caucus season not caucus excel for the campaigning they really cannot believe it. people from other states of the new hampshire and iowa simply cannot fathom that you can go into a pizza ranch with 50 other people for an hour and a half have a conversation with eight u.s. senator, a former vice president, a governor, that may

end up being the leader of the free world. and so it washboard university where i teach i have a class and i force the students to go up and they just have a ball. and the great thing is i tell the students spend an entire day with the candidate because by event number two or three the candidate will be recognizing them walking over to them and chatting. these are candidates like barack obama, john mccain, it's really one of the more remarkable things in american politics for. >> karen these candidates when they go to the gatherings that bob beatty was just talking about, we have seen them talk about commit to caucus. folks who not only verbally commit to them but write down on a piece of■b■, paper a commit to caucus card. describe those and why it's important to these candidates?

>> they are cards that will ask caucus attendees to sign in advance indicating there intentions to support nikki haley or vivek ramaswamy. one thing is that by making that kind of commitment psychologically they hope the caucus goers will not change their minds. secondly it gives them a gauge of what kind of support they can expect on caucus night in third, it gives them very important supporters they can work to mobilize to make sure they come out on caucus night. with phone calls, text messages, e-mails or even volunteering to give people rights of the caucus site or tapping them to volunteer for the campaign and try to get some of their neighbors to attend the caucuses with them.

so it is an■# important gauge of support and an important mobilizing tool. >> how many would you say how many caucus goers tonight, looking at this gymnasium how many would say are undecided? >> i think that remains to be seen. this is an unusual year in the iowa caucus attendees have really been supportive of former president trump. even though he is not spent the same amount of time in the state say as ron desantis and vivek ramaswamy who have, they've really blanketed the state. he is a well known quantity. he is essentially running as an income but even those not currently in office. so they arty know a lot about him and have a lot of support and loyalty to him. i don't think there'll be that many undecided caucus goers it was the what you normally have

in a when the other party is in control of the white house. another thing about iowa caucus goers they will sometimes hold out on their decision until the very last minute. they are not decisive people who won't make a decision in august when they're going to the state fair and eat something fried on a stick. they will wait until they've seen them several times and often that will be at the 11th hour. >> bob you have any thoughts on the undecided voter getting them to commit to a candidate? >> i think karen is right. this is a very unusual year. that is okay, every so often we can have something very unusual. and it is unusual because donald trump is not the incoming president but he is been

campaigning as the incumbent. he has only been doing rallies and iowa, since 1972 if you kept the democrats he is the only candidate that is only campaign with rallies. bernie sanders and 16. heat that a lot of rallies but donald trump is not doing q and a. he is not going to pizza ranches. and from the polling that it doesn'tlook like he is being. i think karen point is a good one is because he is so well known. many iowans are thinking of him as an incumbent. and so i think it makes it easier for some caucus goers. they did not even have to see the other tenants they can sandwich go caucus but i am for trump. that is going to make fewer undecideds and caucuses. >> we are learning from our folks on the ground that there

are some last-minute new caucus goers registering. karen, talk about that dynamic this year. the former president has really tried to organize first time caucus goers and get them out this evening. >> yes he certainly has. and so has actually vivek ramaswamy. and vivek ramaswamy has been saying the polls that show he is the single digits and is likely to come in fourth or fifth in the caucus what polls do this look for habitual caucus goers so if there are a whole lot of new or first time caucus attendees they would not be well represented in the pre-caucus bowls. that could impact the outcome of the race. especially for president trump who has been targeting these caucus goers and for mr. vivek

ramaswamy who is been trying to do the same thing. and vivek ramaswamy has been working hard to secure young republic it remains to be seen how that all plays out. >> bob beatty and karen have yoe you both answer this question. do you think the retail politicking that has defined the iowa caucuses for decades is dying slowly given what you were just saying about the former president just holding big rallies? and not seeing a lot of those small gatherings like house parties? >> bob wants to go first. >> i love obviously the iowa caucuses and the campaigning and what it represents. and i wondered if this was the end this year. they have abandoned it and donald trump was not doing the traditional campaign.

and i did it i thought maybe we've seen the last of it. and then i drew up to iowa seven times to see the different candidates. and everybody but trump was campaigning in the traditional way. and my heart soared and i said trump is an anomaly. win or lose the most likely this is his last go around as he himself said. i really do think based on the republican side in four years old back to the traditional iowa campaign. >> alright let's go and watch inside of the boone county caucuses. seven precincts about to get underway. >> good evening, everyone here okay? are right we are going to get this thing going here. i apologize but we want everyone that comes to have that opportunity to get in here. and everyone is in the gym and we are ready to start.

my name is gary i'm chairman of the boone county republican committee i am also a member of the state central committee of the republican party of iowa. i welcome you. this is a very important evening we have a lot of businesses take ■care of were going to get right to it. the first thing i ask is you silence your cell phones or your watches please. at this time, i asked there be a moment of silence and remembrance of the students and lives, and for all of the others affected in the horrific school shooting in our neighboring community of perry, iowa. a moment of silence please.

[silence]. thank you. would all veterans, members of the military, law enforcement officers and first responders please stand? [applause] let's give these folks a great hand. [applause] thank you for your service. both past and present. we would not be where we are today without all of your dedication and work. at this time i ask you or ask everyone to stand and remain standing for our pledge of allegiance, invocation and the singing of our national anthem. sheriff? sheriff andy will lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

>> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. and to the republic for which it stands "one nation," under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> think you sheriff. reverend michael is currently serving as a pastor at st. paul church is assisting at trinity youth lutheran church in school and boone. he will now offer the invocation. reverend? >> and then of the father, and of the sun, and the holy spirit amen. lord god, heavenly father, we thank you for all the blessings

and freedoms of living in this great country. keep all of us in this nation under your care. bless and protect the leaders of our country and all of those who make, administer and judge our laws. that they would have the wisdom and strength to lead us with integrity. they may live in peace with one another and with all the other nations of the earth, the plans and purposes of those who disturb violence, hatred, strife both here and abroad look favorite with those recovering upon the recent attack and perry. stretch forth your almighty arms to bless, strengthen and protect those who served in the armed forces of our country. support them during this tumultuous times. keep them safe from all evil. give them courage, strength, loyalty to serve with honor. grant us your wisdom this evening as we begin the process to choose leaders that they would be trustworthy, govern with integrity to make wise decisions the best interest of our country to preserve our

freedoms and keep us safe from harm and danger. regathering of business this evening is concluded it would have safe travels home through jesus christ our lord amen. our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. and lead us not into temptation. but deliver us from evil. for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. amen. >> leading us this evening and the national anthem is dan sprinkler. dennis longtime boone resident, dan?

i will start us everyone let's just let it ring, okay? o say can you see ♪ ♪ by the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ what so proudly we hailed ♪ ♪ at the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ o'er the ramparts we watch ♪ ♪ were soming ♪ ♪ and the rockets red glare ♪ ♪ the bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ that our flag was still there

♪ oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ o'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ and the home of the brave ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [applause] [cheering] you may be seated. i am impressed how many good voices we have in this group. give yourself another hand, that was great. i am telling you that's a great thing. [applause] i want to go through how a few housekeeping notes first please print restrooms as if you didn't know there are two restrooms located just outside this door to my left.

when exiting the caucus please leave through these two sets of doors. do not use the doors to the south end. use these two doors and then you may exit any other doors in this facility. to get to the parking lot. there are tables out there that have on them hopefully pad a chance to see that the various petitions from federal offices to state offices to county offices. please take some of you have not and sign the petitions for the candidates that are running. when you entered the gym tonight, hopefully stop by the dollar for scholar table. this was manned by high school juniors. one of the more i don't know if they are in here. let's give them a hand that they volunteered to come and do that. thank you ladies. the money from the donation bucket will be used to fund each

of the $3500 scholarships to boone county republicans gift to a high school senior from ogden, mandarin, and boone. if you'd missed this on the way in tonight please stop by on your way out this evening. all donations are appreciated and will be used directly for the scholarships. i would like to introduce a lady at this time, and lena westerman. we are you at? eileen is the caucus to care -- met caucus to convention chairperson for the boone county republicans. eileen and her committee have been working on this diligently planning everything in this event so present a well oiled machine as eileen rules with a steel this trust me i've got a couple marks. [laughter] she does a very good job. and i would like for you to

introduce your committee if you would neglect you can't do this alone because it's a lot of work. tammy is on the committee. she is managing the section of the caucus. and the other people that are on the committee barbara and dave mcdaniel. and besides them there were probably 45 volunteers just tonight to keep all this going. so thanks for all of your patients and come back in two years. [applause] >> thanks so much and thanks to the committee for all the hours and hard work and as you can see people are reaping the benefits of. we have a great crowd tonight. who says iowans don't come on cold weather?

the sun came out today people flocked outside. i can't believe it yes i can admin and i went all my life. i also like to thank the folks des moines area community college. they have been a great host for us here. they have worked with us for a month now making sure things are going to be done properly and work with us. they are a great asset. speaking of assets, the people of the boone and the people of boone county really need to understand how much educational entity they are and how big of an asset they truly are to everyone in this area. and i would like to give them a big round of applause, please. [applause] i'm sure you haven't missed it yet we have a fair amount of media here tonight. i'm proud to say they are very good to work with. we have a couple different camera companies here.

live others doing record if they want to talk to you please oblige that's fine too you're not going to hurt their feelings. we appreciate their hard work and appreciate not just the united states but of the world of what goes on at first in the nation iowa caucus. and people, thank you very much for being here. thank you for making us feel as good as what we do here. i want to thank you again for coming tonight everyone to brave the pole cold and participate first the nation republican caucus. it shows the importance of the caucus and how we feel. in the first the nation caucus islands and gather to meet the majority of the presidential candidate statement here and iowa. a lot of them have it. we talk to them, we asked them questions we learn firsthand what they are all about her look

them in the eye and really scrutinize everything. and thereby choosing which one you'd want to be president of the united states. because we are first of the nation thousands of people come to our state. it's not just the islands who reap the benefits that all the surrounding states come over here because they don't get these candidates come into their states. but we do and we are proud of it. communities both large and small reap the benefits and are able to talk to these candidates. it's very, very important. and here in boone i can say 80 -- 90% of the candidates where they are still running or whether they've already dropped out have come to boone and we may have meetings anywhere from 10 -- 12 people or he may have 100 -- 150 people it does not matter. and all of the people are so pleased the campaigns are so pleased when they leave they have come up to me every time and said we sure appreciate how

you i will people treat us when we are here. that's really important says a lot about the people from iowa. and that leads back to the term most of us talk about is called iowa nice. we need to all give ourselves a hand for that we are known for that and we need to keep it up be very proud of it. [applause] there is no better way to showcase our state than to have first in the nation. and i know a lot of people from the grassroots level to the state levelo people work very hd for us to try to keep this verse in the nation. if you ever hear someone saying i don't know if it's worth it or not, please stand up and tell them how important it is and what it means to everyone of us. tonight you also have the opportunity to become part of the local boone county republican central committee.

voting for these positions will take place in the various precincts that you are sitting in. being able to understand and offer suggestions to the platform of boone county republicans also takes place at your precinct. i think it is really important to stress what it means for individuals to get involved in local elections such as city council, merit raises, school boards, county supervisors and other county offices. if writing for an elected office is not your bag i understand that. there are lots of committees and commissions and boards that one can serve on. and i will tell you from first-hand experience there is a tremendous amount of satisfaction serving on things like that because you can offer your input. sometimes they listen, sometimes they dealt with to understand the process you understand why things are done. often times you hear people complaining i do not understand why this is going on in the city i don't understand why this is going on the county.

we all need to pitch in. is our town it's our state, it is our county. we need to become involved and everybody has good ideas. and i am telling you what, the satisfaction you will government i cannot describe it. it does make you feel good but talk about feeling good when i see people like this from every walk of life that comes here and people i have not seen for years and people that i see every day it just makes me feel good. and you know people really care and that you are proving that here tonight. last, but not least tonight you join their fellow republicans, neighbors, friends to exercise your right to caucus. enjoy, be proud you are participating in a historic events. most of all proud you are and iowa one and we live in the best state and the nation.

[applause] at this time will hear some of the presidential campaigns but each representative will be given a maximum of five minutes. we asked leah please treat each with respect and show it iowa nice is all about. the order of the candidates for the speakers are alphabetical. we did not do anything special, that's the way it's printed on the ballots. the first speaker will be dave representing ryan campaign. [applause] >> thank you so much, gary. i live in st. louis, missouri now but i am from keokuk, iowa. i have four children and i'm here tonight for them i named my oldest rag and you can tell kind of republican i am. and i have to tie spent the last 18 months traveling all over the

country really the last 10 months traveling all over iowa with ryan and i'm so proud to represent him tonight. when i was a senior in college i got up to washington d.c. on december 1, 2001. ten days later i was evacuated from the cannon building on 911. it was a crazy thing. that is when i decided that elections matter and who we support matters. that is why i am so excited to be supporting ryan. i have to decide there's an elephant in the room though. republicans act just like democrats in 2001 when i was evacuated we were $3 trillion in today we are $34 trillion in debt. do not think for one second is just democrats. it is republicans. it is people buying votes today and mortgaging your children's

future. we need it summit has a background that can solve this. ryan is not only a pastor, he is a ceo of an investment banker he is an economist. is put out a plan to balance the budget how we can make our first principal payment per trust me, it is going to take a while to seven your plan before we take the first one and that's because were spending 20% more money than we bring in every year and we continue to do it whether it's republican or democrat administrations. bryant wrote this letter and he put it in the "des moines register" this past weekend and i wanted to read it to you. the number one question i receive on the campaign trail is why are you stillness race when so many others have left? my answer is our nation is on fire. it is on fire economically, spiritually, and culturally. if you have a loved o a building that is burning and you have a small chance of a rescuing them, wouldn't you go

in the building? of course you would. that is why i'm still in this race. the next question i often receive, is it possible for you to w■v:in? god is bitterly impossible forever does anybody here believe that? let's go. [applause] gideon, moses, david all show the impossible is god specialty. if you want something different, we need to vote for someone different. despite the polls and the pungent i know people want change. i know we want a leader who will restore our faith in god, freedom, and each other. that is why i am running for president. but there's another elephant in the room tonight. that elephant is why haven't you seen ryan on fox news and all these other shows? he has 82000 donors. when mike huckabee among the woe caucus in 2008 he had less than 8000. ryan binkley despite simply

reports it was a first candidate to hit on the nine counties but he has been in iowa, he has lived here, he bought his truck here, he is not human copy shops and places and yet we still cannot get media attention. i am asking you tonight, we think we know how this is probably going to follow in order. brian has the best message and plan for the country i am asking you before you vote look again take 10 or 15 seconds and say a quick prayer if you want to put a pastor in the white house it will turn this country around please join me in supporting ryan binkley thank you for your time tonight. >> thank you dave. our next presidential candidate speaker will be senator jesse green jesse represents district 24 here in iowa.

jesse. [applause] >> think you guys so much. this is so awesome to see so many people braved the elements. what is that that brought everyone of us here tonight? i think part of it is, a lot of it is gratitude. we love being islands we love being americans. we want to give back to what has brought us so much joy. that's one thing that brought you here tonight. the other thing is concern. concern for where our country is going. and so the nation is looking to us tonight. they are looking to you as to which direction we should go. until i am here tonight to speak to you about governor desantis. i would proud to be the first legislature to endorse him.

but prior to the last election cycle when he won florida by 20 points i was a little bit on the fence. it was like we have come a long ways -- mick trump did a lot of good things. why should i leave that camp? but then governor ron desantis won by 20 points for that is a game changer right there i started bangle a bit closer attention something has changed with trump's message. 2016 trump's message was about your issues. and since 2020 i've been hearing a lot of excuses. it's a lot about his issues. and that is concerning to me. real leaders do not give excuses. they lead, they deliver. there's a lot things he did do right and i'm grateful for that. he did promise a wall the wall did not get built and he blamed

congress for. hooters will be a fiscal conservative he's been mourned for years and obama did and eight. he just blames others. we have a leader here and i'll who won our election by 20 points because islands of trustr to lead. we have been responsible in iowa. for governor desantis won florida for 20 points and historic landslide victory we cannot just shrug that to the side. we have a once-in-a-lifetime candidate with him. i've been so proud to travel stay with him. he is an honorable man he is the only military veteran to be running for office the cycle. he is a humble public servant. he has earned my trust. and fell at republicans i hope you will trust him as well. he is the leader we need. thank you so much. [applause]

>> thank you. our next presidential candidate that will spoken about is nikki haley. we have u.s. congressman ralph norman from south carolina. and george one of our local guys would like to come up here at the same time please. [applause] >> thank you so much. i want to thank all of you for coming. you could be anywhere, you could be at home. the fact you are here is special. you come really for two reasons i would suspect. one is your concern for the country as i am. second, you love america and you want to do something about it but i am a ralph norman iced serve the fifth district in south carolina. i was elected in 2017.

i am not a career politician i am a businessman. i was thinking about what i could say about nikki haley but really no one else could say. one, i am the only person who is served with her but she and i commended 2005. she had the courage to beat a 30 year incumbent. when she got to the state house of representatives but it should do? she took on the establishment. she made them vote on the record where politicians are good hiding her record she made them vote on it when she decided to run for governor why did she do? they laughed at her, nikki who? well, she one by 65% of the vote. how did nikki do is governor? as governor? she cut taxes. she was with recruiting business the beast o the east. she was sued by the obama administration. she was a true conservative that's why they elected her

twice. and folks, there is no more conservative than nikki haley. i am one of the top three or five conservatives that serve in house of representatives today. i would not support anybody if i did not serially believe that. now, if you are undecided let me give you some reasons why i would ask you to consider it nikki. one, we did not meet somebody who's only got four years of service. that is all donald trump could do, for years. it's like putting the football team on the field the complaint till halftime. folks, this country is in too much trouble to do that. eighty years old? i am sorry. commercial pilots have to retire at 65 and got them term limits me at the congress. when nikki gets to be president we are going to do that. now, what makes her unique? we she served at the united

nations. no other candidate can say that in the job that she did secondly, she is the only candidate that can beat joe biden by 17 points the only candidate. and on top of all of that , youall have watch the debates. you have seen her up there with leslie desantis she has got the it factor to get eleed. people like her. i've seen her at her high i've seen her at her low this is what she does. she smiles she is iron fist in a velvet glove she will save this country. it's her vision, her courage, her ability to act is second to none. there is no other politician that i know on stage today that is at the it factor as ronald reagan and she knows how to use it. folks iowa is first in the country you can send a message to the rest of the states that

she goes around. and i will tell you she will not disappoint you. there is nobody that you would want to put out there as you have seen to recruit other cats i cannot do it by myself i'm white afforded 35 and check my record if you doubt my record. the other people she were crude on day one and chickens into office thank you for your consideration. georgia think you've got some words. [applause] >> i second that. i am george i've lived in this community for 83 years. my grandparents were immigrants. my mother carried a little basket with all of the food that they had when they came from sweden, she was seven years old. emigration is a problem.

it is not joe biden's problem. it is not donald trump's problem. it is our problem. it has been this way for 30 or 40 years and no one expects it. i do think there is a good chance that at least nikki haley can give it a good shot. the ball i would say i am 83. joe biden is 81. donald trump is reelected he will be 82 while he is serving. no more old guys. [laughter] voters can change america back, was the normal? everyone asks what's the normal anymore? well, i want you to think of your candidate and they want you to think of my candidate. side-by-side rat now and i'm going to read it words to you and you tell me who accepts.

respect, study, smart, kind, who can you be proud of? be bold, be brave, vote for nikki haley. thank you. [applause] >> thanks ralph, thanks george. this time we will have the part of the campaign for vivek ramaswamy. patrick shaw. patrick? i know you were here.

okay. well then we will move on to our last campaign and that is for donald trump. we have u.s. congresswoman marjorie taylor greene from georgia. marjorie? >> hi everybody. hi, i am so excited to be here. all the way from georgia, very honored to represent a wonderful district. and i have to tell you, it feels really good to me too be here with you all. because you are just like the folks i represent at home. and you feel like friends and family so this is easy for me i am here to ask you to vote for my favorite president our former president of the united states, donald j trump. [cheering]

i do not have to attack the other candidates. i do not have too. because of president trump has a four year record that we all know, we know president trump. we trust president trump. president trump gave america the best for years we have had in probably the united states history. i have to tell you let's talk about the economy we had under president trump. i was only a few years ago but under president trump americans can afford food. americans could afford rent. americans could afford gas. and you know what? we also had a low interest rates, remember that? it has driven interest rates it's driven to a point where inflation is starting so many americans the rich have gotten richer that middle class is gone gone away and the poor getting poorer. president trump will bring back

america's economy. he will fight for america first jobs and he will restore americans economy exactly the way it needs to be and i have to tell you i'm a small business owner. and that really mean something to me and that is why i relate to president trump he comes in the same industry we need president trump he is a successful businessman that looks at the federal government exacts and we should be looking at it. need to run the government like a business. alec failed business going president trump also gave us world peace. that is something that should mean so much to all of us and it does. under president trump the little dictator stopped firing off rockets, remember that?

remember when president trump walked across the tmz line with his hand extended to shake hands with kim john owen. all of america watched in the entire world watched in astonishment as bravery and courage. under president trump we ended middle eastern wars he defeated isis. that is something we should all be proud of. under president trump we had the abram accords. we wash in all and i know we are so proud the u.s. embassy was moved to jerusalem. that happened under president trump. under president trump there would be no war in ukraine. that is

>> most importantly under president trump we had a strong secure border. i serve on the homeland security committee i have to tell you what we've seen happened should never happen. over 10 million illegal aliens have come into the country 1.8 million got away. these are people we don't even

know who they are, where they are from or where they are going but they are in our country and you can bet many of them are terrorists that would like to attack the country here just like israel was attacked by the hamas terrorists. we have to fight for a secure border and president trump will do that and he will start mass deportations on day number one and i can't wait to see it happen. it is my honor to be with you in the most cold temperatures, and i'm from georgia. i don't like that very much but i'm thrilled to be with you and i'm so impressed to know that iowans do not stay home so i'm going to ask you to vote for president trump, but my favorite president back in the white house and help us defeat the communist democrats. thank you so much, iowa. [applause]

>> thanks again, marjorie. we are going t now going to get to the candidates but before we do i think we should give the reps that just spoke another round of applause. some of them came from great distances and we are fortunate to have our local senator. thank you for your speeches and your support of your candidates. speaking of our local senator, jesse greene is running for reelection for district 24 in the iowa state senate. you want to come up and say a few words? [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, it's been an honor of a lifetime to

be your voices at the capitol. i couldn't pick a better time. this is the largest republican majority since 1972. >> live coverage in boone county tonight. they've moved on to other business. joining us this evening to give real time and analysis as the caucus unfolds, the director for women in politics at iowa state university and a professor there. they've also been with us this evening. the political science chair at washburn university. karen, the associated press and other networks have already called this race. there's only 3% reporting at this time. these are the only precincts that got their votes in, but cnn and others have called this race for the former president. what do you think about that when here in boone county they haven't even put an x next to

somebody's name? >> the precincts that have reported already just an hour or so into the process knows that we are probably rural areas and where they would have had fewer speakers and fewer people to check in and overall fewer participants so they would be able to move through the process with greater alacrity. if they've called the caucus night for trump, it's because in those early results, we would have seen a commanding lead on behalf of the former president. >> your reaction? >> my reaction shows how different this is from a general election. normally the networks or anybody are not supposed to call anything until the voting is

done and as you pointed out, they haven't even gotten to the voting yet but the caucus is very unusual and i'm a little surprised the networks don't give a darn that they haven't voted yet. but again, like karen was talking about, it's a commanding lead for dal trump and iowa caucus history, but this is all about expectations, how much of the lead when it's all done. if it's 50% who is second. so the republican party in america is looking at this caucus to see is there anybody that can challenge donald trump so we will not be looking just at the winter or a double digit victory, but really the nuances of the kind of big victory even though that sounds a little off. >> one reporter said the race

for second is on. >> the difference between calling a caucus early versus general election is that the caucuses are closed so everybody that's going to be at the caucus is closed whereas a general election or primary campaign of course is that premature announcements could in fact discourage other people from showing up to vote but that's not the case with the caucus. everybody that's going to be attending is already there. >> you heard of the county chair say the doors are locked so if you were sitting in that gymnasium and saw the networks have called, can you say i'm not going to stay i'm just going to

go home. can you do that? >> you can't lock them in. this is 2024. all you have to do is look at a smart phone. i think thee applies. the media just hasn't caught up to it. there's nothing stopping somebody from looking at their smart phone saying my gosh what am i doing here and walking out. the other part of it is the democrats got in a lot of trouble years ago with no announced winner. i think there's a bit of a systemwide anxiousness to have a winner now in the iowa caucuses. i don't think anyone in iowa will complain including the party. >> let's go back to what we were watching before. we were watching the representatives from each

campaign giving a speech. how come we saw people giving speeches who are not from iowa? the speech process is the to mae to generate support from attenders who might be in the audience. second, bringing people from outside of another part these are events people can go in and observe the process or invited to speak. of course they cannot caucus themselves so they can come as surrogates for the presidential candidates and it's not uncommon to bring in political celebrities from strategic locations to speak on their

behalf. >> do candidates themselves speak in previous caucuses? because we are seeing reports that nikki haley herself went to a caucus at drake university. >> it's happened. i don't recall major candidates doing it, but i think most islands in the precinct and the organizers of the caucuses put a lot of time and effort and we heard that in some of the remarks they are very honored. to. there's a fair amount of media bashing going on in american politics but we didn't hear that tonight. we heard from the organizer how happy he was to see the media and have guests. i think the organizers are so happy when it all comes together they've put in so much work and

they enjoy having outsiders show up and that includes yes it could be a candidate, him or herself or it could be a celebrity, all sorts of people. there also may be a few undecided. having someone that is well known may be a factor, may not a large one but a factor for people wanting to be associated with that person and possibly get them a few votes. >> we also heard the phrase caucus to convention and at the chair of that committee spoke for a bit. explain what that means. >> karen pointed this out earlier that caucuses are a dwindling entity. the democrats don't allow them at all and there's not many left in the republican party. the caucuses are this rather

long process, step one of choosing a delegate to the national convention so it's this first step of a long process getting the delegates to the convention. if peoplhave been listening they know i'm really a fan of the iowa caucuses. but in record turnout that was in 2016, the republicans, still only 16% of registered voters show up. this is a commitment, this is a party activity. this is not a primary you go in and vote and leave. so even though it is laden with all this wonderful tradition, still 70% of republicans aren't participating, and that was part of the reason democrats currently say they don't want to do it. >> this is a good time to talk about how the primary, excuse

me, the republican caucuses diff from the democratic caucuses. karen, if the democrats were holding one right now, explain the difference. what would we see? >> the caucuses serve to function one is the presidential preference exercise and the organizational meetings at the democrats are meeting tonight to do that party organizational part and that's where they elect elected delegates to the convention individually from the state convention to the national convention and in every state that has a presidential preference they also have the organizational meetings that happen alongside that primary. now if the democrats were having a caucus as they did in 2020, we would see something very

similar. the check in process is similar. there would h■ave been a precint captain or chair elected to manage the business much as the republican county chairs do here tonight and there would have been speeches on behalf of regig one's preference, the caucus attendees would literally get up and walk to sections of the room so in one corner there might be biden supporters and another there would be warren supporters and another party you would see, i'm trying to remember, you might see klobuchar. >> i amy klobuchar. i was just about to say that. >> in order to secure delegates to the next convention, the candidate has to have a

threshold of 15%. if they don't meet that threshold, then the supporters can choose their second choice so they can literally lose to another candidate. in preceding years twent on for multiple iterations. in 2020 it only happened twice and if somebody was committed to a candidate that meant the threshold the only people who could move for those that supported nonviable candidates for their first choice. finally when all this moving is done then they calculate how many delegates each candidate could receive to the next level of convention and from there the state party calculates how many would eventually committed to each candidate for the national committee, the national convention. >> let's listen to see what's

next in county precinct is happening in this area, community college area. >> i think that he is a boon native originally. although sir, would you step up, please. [applause] thank you so much for your service. thanks for coming out tonight. appreciate it very much. it looks like he's going to start the next phase of tonight's caucus. let's watch. >> you're probably saying thank god, right. it's very important things we had to talk about, that we needed to talk about and it makes you feel so good to see everyone here. people are excited and respect one another. that's key.

i'm going to turn the over to te caucus chairman and secretaries. i know you see him sitting there, but i would like for all of the seven caucus chairs and secretaries to stand and i think we need to give a big round of applause. a lot of work involved in what they are going to do. [applause] thanks to each and every one of you. appreciate it very much. without your time and talents, the caucuses could not be possible. and as eileen said, it takes 40 to 50 people in their part of the group so thank you. they will give you your instructions now. it will be a little louder so you may have to talk loud. they will try to converse with you back and forth. they are going to explain what's going to happen first and then of course the presidential ballot will be cast. i will explain that a little bit so everybody understands.

the first thing these people to do is get elected as permanent chair and a secretary. that's the number one thing then they vote through the process of things that are going to happen then be the presidential ballot and then a ballot for the county central committee, a ballot for the county convention and then discussions on the platform. so, i will come back to the microphone once we have the numbers for this group here. i don't know what time the numbers for the state will be. i've been asked to that. i can't tell you that but hopefully we will have the numbers totaled in 45 minutes or so after the election and just so everyone understands, once the ballots are cast there will be two counters from each precinct. they will go in the room with all the other six precincts so there will be seven precincts and that they will be counted

twice. there will be observers there, so there should be no questioning about anything. once again, thank you very much and i will talk to you later. [applause] >> host: the director of women and politics at iowa state university, and bob, the washburn university political science chair back with us. so, they are moving on. we ran through what happens next. we see the precinct chair captains talking to their group. what role will they play and why is it important? >> they will supervise the entire process of casting votes and counting the votes. the first thing that's going to happen is these people who've been appointed and sort of temporary capacities will be

elected to do the job officially by members of the precincts and they will distribute the ballots and collect the ballots and be responsible for counting them and reporting the results for the particular precincts. >> host: they call this a secret ballot, but you are squeezed in there next to the person, you are packed in like sardines. why do they call it a secret ballot when people can see what you're doing, you're so close together it's not like a primary where you go and you've got the sides and no one can see what you are writing down? >> i think it's called the secret ballot in relation to the democratic caucus, which as karen explained, in the democratic caucuses, you literally walk over to your group. it's about the most open vote you can ever make and then you move on. this again you move onto another

vote you walk over to another group so in the context of the iowa caucuses, it's more secret than the democratic caucuses, and i think that's why they call it that. >> host: let's listen in and see what the precinct captain is telling his group. i'm going to turn it over to the temporary secretary i put my name into be i put my name into be the permanent chair. the temp secretary will take the boat. is there anyone else that would like to be the chair? any additional? if not, pete will be the permanent chair. anybody else?

>> it doesn't sound like anybody wanted the job. >> we have to remember the vast majority of the caucus goers with all due respect have little to no interest in precinct politics and do not want to accidentally win some sort of office that forces them to run a precinct. i should follow up on my last point that i went to a talk abot not a secret vote, they would stand in groups and if their candidate didn't get 15%, people from others would come over and grab them by the arm and started trying to convince them to move

to another group. the democratic caucuses were the antithesis of the secret vote. >> let's listen into what he is telling these caucus goers. >> this is for the president. they will pick those up and bring them here and then there will be two people that will go count them. something to remember, if you guys want to stay here after the presidential election, if you want to stay here to find out the results and elect a candidate, we need central

committee members and boone county delegates from the convention and alternate. if you are not interested in sticking around, you are welcome to take off after you wrote. it would only be the curious that would stick around and wait. they are collecting the ballots from each row, gathering them now. can you write a candidate across iowa do they allow you to write a different name that is not appearing on the ballot? >> the caucus that i attended

unless karen knows if they changed the rules -- >> that's what i understand, there would be no restrictions. >> how do they guarantee that they have gathered all the ballots, they are trusting their neighbor to pass it down to the o the row. you can see that this is a very public into somebody's ballot didn't get picked up they could call out saying don't forget mir i am sure they are going to double check. >> do they have a■ certain numbr in mind, do they know how many people? >> they should know how many there are because they know how many they gave out from the process. >> we heard about these two counters. how do you get that job?

>> i should add there is a lot of pressure. again these are party officials. the vast majority are volunteers and while candidates are campaigning,nd county chairman d chairwoman are seeking volunteers trying to get people to be there tonight. they are going to be asked how do you get the job of being a counter. i would guess it's one of the other precinct captains would you be a counter, that sort of thing. the point of a caucus is that it is a gathering that makes it so unique. we see that they are going away

in the democratic party but it's what makes iowa so unique in the states that still do caucus. >> the counters, do they have any sort of accountability in this role, do they have to sign their name? how do the folks that show up tonight how do they know that they can trust these counters? >> they would have gone through some kind of orientation or training in the state. also they are friends and neighbors, people they know and are acquainted with. again, these are pretty strong partisans that are coming out when it's 30 below to cast a ballot. whether or not there's some sort of other verification process

would depend upon the state role in what those are. but another stopgap, people have to work together and coordinate and it's also stopgap to make sure nobody is stopping any ballots shall we say. >> we heard that there are observers as well. can anyone observe? >> not anyone, but it's up to the chair of the county that is running and again i harken back to the united kingdom and it's exactly how they did it in the united kingdom they count the paper ballots by hand and then the candidates are allowed to have observers stand or walk around but you also have international observers. it's particular to what county you are in and of the chairman

or the person in charge of that. maybe someone else's a little more strict, but there's actually going to be international observers. >> there is discussion from the folks that are running this. let's listen as the camera doeso down the row because as we said, there's seven precincts in the room and it looks like counting is underway for all seven. our camera is at the table for precinct number two i believe. this is the precinct we heard

the secretary talking to the folks in the gymnasium and they brought these ballots in at the table. they are making piles. i think they were talking about this part of the training. >> they are making piles. it's simple they are taking a look making piles for the candates. it's important that iowa win because you might start out with 15 candidates and then a lot of them drop out. imagine if there were 15 piles on the table. i also want to point out that this is of course a primary process, meaning it is one party, the republican party. party.and a lot of the animositd distrust unfortunately in american politics is between the two parties. so even though candidates may not get along during a primary, they still all belong to the

same party, so i think that does make it more of a trust within the party then may be in the general. >> we will listen a little bit more as the camera makes its way down the row. i am just going to unfold them and you start stacking. >> karen, if you're counting, you get hung up on something, you kind of lose your train of thought. we've done that before when we are counting out cards or whatever it is. are you allowed to start over? are there any fast rules? >> you would be able to continue and recount. i'm sure that's one reason there are two people there, to count and make sure the ballots aren't

stuck together, people don't lose their train of thought and they agree on the number by the time they are done. and i'm sure there's a certain amount of pressure. you've got international news media cameras, not something people experience on a day-to-day basis. so i can imagine that would be unnerving. >> host: it looks like we have some veteran counters in the room, quickly making piles and getting organized. you were talking about the volunteers. i mean,, how many volunteers across the state does it take for these parties, these state parties to pull off the caucuses? >> my goodness, thousands, thousands. and to your point, they have to be fairly good. you know, they are doing something important that they have to be fairly fast and efficient. what we are seeing right here is

they are good. this is a good duo here. and again, i mentioned this before, there's a lot of pressure on the party because in iowa, if they mess it up, they could lose the iowa caucuses. it's important to get those results out, that they are clear about them. had one problem in 2012 they had a bit of trouble counting, and it seems as if they fixed that problem. what weaá are seeing here is impressive. it's only been a few minutes since they got all those papers and at least at this table, they are going to have the numbers out pretty quickly. >> let's listen to the count.

[inaudible conversations] >> host: karen, what happened in 2012? >> guest: there were some discrepancies reported by the precincts and the numbers that were eventually put out by the iowa republican party and then it turned out that there was a recount and it seemed that rick santorum won by a very tiny number, so initially they had announced the wrong person who one, and then with the recount ended up having to walk that back. as far as i know, the associated press hasn't called an official winner of the republican caucus in 2012 were in the democratic caucus in 2020, so those remain

officially. >> host: is the party feeling the pressure tonight to get this right? >> guest: i think so. i think there's quite a bit of pressure because what happened to the democrats in 2020 and the memories of 2012. the republicans are quite bitter. rick santorum who ended up winning says basically this whole campaign might have changed if he got that momentum coming out of iowa that night. so, from the looks of this one, this one vote, if this is what is happening across iowa, i think the republican party is going to be pretty pleased. what they want to be careful about is the actual reporting to their main headquarters, because those are the numbers that everyone is going to get, and there can be mistakes from the numbers they have in an

individual county versus what ends up getting told wherever the central receiving area is and that's how the democrats got in trouble in 2020. they didn't have a really good system to get those numbers and efficiently. >> host: karen, do we know what the system is tonight? what happens after these votes are counted at the table? >> guest: there is actually a fellow nap that they will use to send the results to the state parties, and i think there's also a robust system people can phone in. they will learn what happened in 2020 with of the democrats where there was an app that was used and not well tested. it completely crashed and did not have adequate phone lines set up for people to be able to call in their results and that

contributed to the disastrous outcome of that. i do want to add one thing to what bob has been saying about the democratic party moving past the caucuses and wanting only primaries. i think that is definitely the case among those that are on the democratic national committee. however, iowa does have a state law that stipulates that it's presidential contest will be a caucus. it will be an in person caucus, and it will occur at least 80 days before the first, before the next weather that is primary or caucus. so this is in response to the new hampshire and i don't think that the iowa state legislature has any interest in changing

that. so i think that we are setting ourselves up for a very interesting scenario in 2028 where the democratic national committee might want to go in one direction and the iowa democratic party will do something completely different. >> host: let's go back to precinct number two in boone county.

[inaudible] >> host: that is a good question that was asked. do we sign this? the counter wanted to know do we sign it and i believe he said no it's for the next level up. >> guest: i would have to look to know for sure. >> host: votes are now in the bag, in their individual bags from each table. they are going to bring them over to who? who has the next job, bob? >> guest: the chain of command. again, it would be up to each caucus site and if he or she would name the people in the chain of command and as you can see, they are checking out the bags. i should say that i went to a republican caucus in 2012.

i don't remember them being clear bags so i don't know how long he's been doing that. >> guest: the republican party in iowa claimed this would be the most transparent caucus in history so that goes to using transparency. a moment right now because that's what it looks like. >> host: hashtag ziploc. go ahead. >> guest: i know a couple of states that particularly kansas got the state legislature to move from a caucus to a primary, and i would argue because the state pays for it, so this is i think the republican party in kansas it is expensive to run a

caucus. the iowa republican party has to get all these volunteers. they have to pay for this. the state is not paying for this. so that could be a reason some states go to primaries as well on the republican side. >> guest: when i was in south carolina for a long time, the republican party's actually ran the primary process, which was a huge and one of only two states at the time. and this was early 2,000's. the state parties ran the primary than the state election commissioner and the state legislature eventually changed that law because it was very, very difficult for the state parties to comply with all of the provisions especially accessibility to hold an election is essentially whereas

the state has the resources as well as the professional know how in order to be able to make sure they did not violate any provisions of say the voting rights act and things like that. >> host: the caucus convention chair has her calculator out on her iphone. let's listen. [inaudible conversations] total 114.

[inaudible conversations] is this 34 or 24? just want to make sure. >> 34. sorry. >> you total? sorry.

>> no problem. >> which one? [inaudible conversations] now, i didn't put a total. can we total these up? >> can do. >> host: karen, you need a nice handwriting and a calculator. >> certainly helps but i don't think it is a requirement. because that might undermine the number of people they would be able to recruit to stand up and tally. >> host: i think i heard this correctly from precinct number two, that the former president with about 60 some votes, florida governor rana desantis

and then nikki haley around 15. what do you think about those numbers, given the county that we are in, boone county? >> guest: that sounds about right. if you want to look at this 202014 election, nikki haley wants to do well in the sort of more affluent well-to-do counties, more moderate republicans, but desantis is going to want to be close to trump and some of the more rural counties and try to steal some of those evangelicals that trump has been doing well with. the interesting thing is that really the battle between nikki haley and desantis is providing a lot of drama. either one could surprise

tonight. about one other quick point we heard one of the counters say is that the three order to. i think the worry and the counting in the iowa caucuses is not that there's some nefarious person but it's more that random error that could happen as you mentioned with bad handwriting so we can see why that happened in 2012 when it was so darned close that of the transposition of numbers or anything could have messed up the results. >> host: karen, what are your thoughts on the boone county demographics and of those numbers that we heard from precinct number two? >> guest: i think bob really nailed it. boone county is adjacent to story county, where the universities are located. so the communities are very familiar with each other and boone county is separate. small farms, manufacturing,

grocery store chains. but definitely your rural area that depends on either tourism for recreation or agriculture, so you know, it is not going to be as say des moines or the cedar rapids suburbs. and there aren't a lot of high paid unionized workers here as there are on the eastern part of the state where there's a lot of heavy manufacturing. so given those demographics, i don't think the results are surprising at all. >> so, it means that it is likely we could see the former president wins the precinct, the seven precinct and the county, boone county. it's possible then desantis comes in second in this area it sounds like, but those are the voters the two candidates have

been courting all along. >> yes. and the reason iowa has been for months and they've seen that nikki haley is surging but she has been trailing desantis. boone county is representing those like boone county and for us to know what the final outcome will be. >> host: is it possible that iowa gives credit to desantis for hitting all 99 counties because if the closest competitors, nikki haley and donald trump did not do so? >> guest: >> host: hold that thought. let's listen in. >> -- only because of you people. thank you.

[applause] she's calling to give reports right now so let's listen into that part and we will talk. >> extension one. he said it might be a weight. >> we have some results from the boone county precinct for you. >> what's your name? >> eileen westrum. >> schema can you spell the last name? >> w-e-s-t-r-u-m. >> and a phone number?

>> (515)230-1846. >> to verify that phone number, (515)230-1846. >> yes. >> i will take the first one. >> boone one. >> let me verify. we have to do that as part of the process. for boone one how many votes did you count? >> one for binkley. >> chris christy. >> zero. >> desantis? >> 16. >> nikk haley? >> six. >> lisa hutchison?

>> zero. >> ramaswamy? >> donald trump? >> 44. >> any right in his or others? >> no. >> moving on to the next precinct. boone county. what is the precinct? >> boone to. >> how many for binkley? >> four. >> how many for chris christy? >> 30. zero, i'm sorry. jumping ahead of myself. >> you're fine. i'm just a little shocked. [laughter] how many for desantis? >> 30.

>> nikki haley? >> 15. >> lisa hutchinson. >> one. >> ramaswamy? >> four. >> how many for donald trump? >> 60, 60 for donald trump. >> any others? okay.■w the contact for the second sheet. we can call you back if there are any issues, but that's all i need from you. boone three is next? >> yes. >> what are the results for binkley on that? >> one. >> one for binkley. how many for chris christy?

>> zero. >> zero. ron desantis? >> 23. >> 23 for ron desantis. how many for nikki haley? >> 15. >> 15. >> zero. for >> zero for hutchinson. ramaswamy? >> four. >> how many for trump? >> 39. >> 39 for trump. any others on that one? >> no. >> okay. i will copy down the information on this one. all right. moving on. boone four. >> how many for ryan binkley? >> one.

>> one for binkley. how many for chris christy? >> zero. >> ron desantis? >> eight. >> eight for ron desantis. how many for nikki haley? >> 11. >> 11 for nikki haley. how many for hutchinson? >> zero. >> zero for hutchinson. how many for ramaswamy? >> five. >> five for ramaswamy. how many for trump? >> 24. >> 24 for trump. and how many right inns? >> none, zero. >> zero. copying down that information. you have the fifth and final precinct? >> i have the fifth precinct, but i have two more after that. >> oh, okay. my dad. i will take boone five next.

you are -- that is impressive. >> i have people calling me from all over the country. that's weird. how many for binkley? >> to. >> how many for chris christy? >> zero. >> how many for ron desantis? >> nine. >> nine for ron desantis. how many for nikki haley? >> six. >> six for nikki haley. how many for hutchinson? zero. >> zero. how many for ramaswamy? >> three. >> how many for trump? >> 36. >> 36 for donald trump.

i'm getting that information copied. i have rural precinct one. >> okay. getting that information down. okay how many for binkley. >> four. >> how many for chris christy? >> zero. >> how many of her ron desantis?

>> 24. >> 24 for ron desantis. how many for nikki haley? >> 35. >> 35. how many for hutchinson? >> zero. >> how many for ramaswamy? >> eight. >> how many for trump? >> 29. >> 29. okay. do you have rural precinct number two? >> no, i have rural precinct six. >> okay. keeping me on my toes. and is this your last one? >> yes. okay. i will go ahead and take the

results for binkley. >> two. >> how many for chris christy? >> zero. zero. how many for ron desantis? >> 34. >> 34 -- >> for ron desantis 3-4, 34. >> okay, thank you. how many for nikki haley? >> 22. >> 22. how many for hutchinson? >> zero. >> how many for ramaswamy? >> seven. >> seven for ramaswamy. how many for trump? >> 27. >> 27 for trump. any write-ins on that one? >> no. >> okay. on rural precinct number one, no write-ins on that one either?

>> no. >> okay, perfect. unless you have more precincts, i think i have everything i need. >> okay. thanks so much. >> sure. thank you. have a good night. .. it's an exercise in democracy. here we have a very simple process of marking paper ballots that are counted by hand and called in on the telephone. and you could hear to there were

some transcription problems or problems with hearing where they have to correct the numbers or people read the wrong number. so again if there are any errors it will be this kind of innocent things as unintentional things that bob pointed out before. it is really a great demonstration about how simple the processes on the gop side. >> it is interesting. you heard the official there sas they were getting calls from these international calls while she's trying to do this work. >> oh well, i wonder if she forgot c-span was filming this alive with her phone number there. so she knows now. maybe we are all too much of nerds. but it's kind of exciting issue is going along trump is doing wellin the first three, and

ironically when she announced what she called the two rural districts i would've thought okay trump is just going to dominate those. actually he only got 30% in the two rural areas. i did kind of wonder what's going on here? it is iowa. it could be haley or desantis in a certain area, a certain precinct did an event or got to know one of the precinct captains. there is a lot in these small areas there's like 90 -- 100 voters. >> by the way various international coverage as the two of you were talking about at carcasses. the other crew at the boone county site that we are at is from germany. we are now showing our viewer inside the gymnasium. it looks like folks have cleared out while they were counting,

karen, there were other business going on in the gymnasium. people were exiting towards the door we are told the caucus is over at boone county. karen, bob, it was clear final thoughts go ahead. >> this has been a real wonderful exercise in >> education about what is the process. the republicans don't change the rules much year-to-year run a very well oiled machine. the leaders know what to do and what to expect. and they did a great job. >> bob beatty? >> yes, i agree. it was just so impressive. they ran a pretty efficient kosice. when vivek ramaswamy speech maker it wasn't there they said okay we are moving on.

basically could have left after an hour and a half. again, it shows how unique iowa is. new hampshire is going to have a primary but this is the most famous caucus at least in 2020 2024the republicans have kept te tradition alive of doing an excellent job in showing it to the world. through c-span and all of the other coverage they have nothing to hide and they really want to participate and want to keep this going. that lease for four more years in 2028. >> alright, bob beatty, karen, thank you both for being with us tonight. we appreciate it. >> thank you for the invitation, have a great night. >> the caucus is over at boone county. earlier though tonight before

those folks departed for the doors and got back to their warm homes c-span john mcardle spoke with some of the caucus goers after they were able to vote in this primary contest. >> opposed caucus as we are walking out chatting with folks over the room tonight tell me your name. >> i think i went tonight? >> it went well but i listen to all the different speakers. i was surprised to vivek ramaswamy's guide wasn't here but we thought he was going to come too. it would've been interesting listening to him. >> was here candidate question. >> no he wasn't. >> hoosier candidates who did you vote for? >> desantis. >> why? what can i think he's a good humble servant and i feel like he gives me the same types of values that we had with donald trump but on a more even keel progress everything is going to do tonight? >> i hope he wins. but all the polls if you listen

to the polls he will come in second or third week. >> that do listen to the polls? >> yes i listen to them i listen to fox news we are all up on all of those things. >> we expect them to members of congress to make the talk? >> no, no that was nice to hear that too. >> thanks so much for chatting. a few more folks waiting to chat. tell me your name? >> john robert stop right here tell me what he thought about tonight. >> i think it went really well up into a few of these it went pretty good precooked salmon have you been to? >> about four. >> was this the most well-run? >> i think so. they're all pretty much the same. >> hoosier candidate? >> about it for nikki haley. i voted for nikki haley who is a cap voting against? what trump. >> i am not proud of the man. >> what you think happens question at the polls showing him up by a lot. i am one of those and i made my votes. and that's my freedom to do.

>> that room is packed in every expecting that a cold night? that means it's cold but it's iowa. how far would you live kuester. >> across town. not too far about 3 miles. >> thanks for chatting. couple other folks a gentleman trump 2024 hat over here. can i assume you are a trump supporter? >> yes always have been. would you think of marjorie taylor greene's speech on behalf of donald trump tonight? pretty forceful with her words i think it was a good speech. >> it any other surrogate speeches think they all did a good job representing their people. >> was your biggest issue? >> mind is probably the board it right now. >> who is speaking best about

the border? next trump that's best on the board. >> army caucuses have you been to? >> this is my second or third period. >> just went on record for you? >> yes big. >> one last one over here another judgment the trump 24 hat. what did you think of marjorie taylor greene site the other congressmen that spoke as well? >> i thought she did a really good job she is a firecracker she livened everything up so i enjoyed it for. >> the room need to be livened up? >> it was getting kind of quiet fairplex are caucuses supposed to be lively? >> it just depends. business. when she got done i got pretty lively progress to be surprise how would people showed up tonight? >> if i really was. it's good to see a big crowd for. >> how many have you been here? >> probably five or six.

>> what is the memory you will take away from this one? >> it was really hot in the gymnasium. [laughter] as cold as it was outside? work john. thanks for the time. i think we do have one more guilt vouchers what did you think? >> i thought it was interesting to see the point of view that everybody had and how everybody in the state of iowa is working together for one cause and one purpose. in showing our faith to the world that we want to make a difference in this political situation that we are in. >> do you think we are making a difference right now the applicable situation how to describe the situation we in? >> yes, i do think we are making a difference. voters showed that. they came out tonight. >> despite the cold? >> yes despite the cold and anything else going on. in the snow when everything we

have gotten compared to other states. >> was a political situation we are in right now? >> is not a good one let's put it that way. it's only going to get worse unless we get a president and there that cares not only about the people but the country as a whole. you can have a lot of sheep and wool for clothing, hiding or vice versa. >> who is the present they can do that in your mind hoosier candidate? >> right at this point i am looking to donald trump. but i'm still undecided for quick future cast about in there for donald trump? >> yes, i did. but i am still wavering. i want to see everybody as a whole.

and how they're going to play out. >> you think you will vote for the republican nominee about who it is of a stop donald trump of it so the more the candidates who spoke tonight? >> i don't know. i want to see how it plays out before even begin to cast a vote truly. because i am really unsure because no matter how you look at it both sides have faults. there is no one perfect side whether it's a democrat, republican or independent. they all need to be shaken up and stirred. >> yuriy art at the start of the campaign process in 2020 for many months ago. >> yes, i believe we have a lot of months to go. and i am hoping for a good outpouring of people from iowa. >> thank you for the time. appreciate it, thanks for

sharing your spirit tonight. live coverage of tonight's iowa republican caucuses continues now on c-span with results candidate speeches and your calls. you can keep watching on the c-span now video app or online at c-span.org. ♪ starting tuesday watches what c-spancampaign 2020 for co. we are on the ground in the final week of campaigning before the first in the nation primary. here the cat's closing arguments watch the voters meet the candidates experience what it's like on the campaign trail. watch on the c-span network c-span now or online at c-span.org/campaign 24. your unfilted