Last update: 10:40 p.m. central

The Rockford (Ill.) Register Star’s political editor, Chuck Sweeny, and statehouse reporter, Aaron Chambers, are in Iowa to cover the caucuses. Sweeny is following the Democrats, while Chambers has the Republicans. Here are some of their reports on opening day of Election 2008.

Aaron Chambers: 10:26 p.m. GOP results in

Here’s the vote total in the 314th precinct of Des Moines, GOP caucus. Romney won the precinct, though Huckabee reportedly won the state:

Mitt Romney: 170 votes

Mike Huckabee: 105 votes

John McCain: 88 votes

Rudy Giuliani: 40 votes

Fred Thompson: 25 votes

Ron Paul: 19 votes

Chuck Sweeny: 9:28 p.m.: The Democratic count is in

The final vote is in at the 87th precinct, and the results are mirroring statewide numbers.

For Obama: 83.

For Clinton: 69.

For Edwards: 68.

Here’s a bit of an explainer. What the caucus goers are actually doing is electing 8 delegates and as many alternates as want to go, the Polk County Democratic convention. Delegates will be apportioned according to the final vote totals.

That translates to 3 delegates for Clinton, 3 for Obama, 2 for Edwards. Those delegates go to the Polk County Democratic Convention, which elects delegates to the state Democratic convention in May. The state convention will elect delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

It’s been a long night for everyone, and an exercise in grass roots democracy that few people in other states have ever seen. The process is wild, wacky, but probably the best comment I heard all night was from the Italian TV director who was heading a crew that taped the caucus for a popular Italian public TV news show.

“I’m very impressed,” said Andrea Salvadore. “It’s pure democracy of the kind you would have seen in ancient times. It’s like Athens.”

Now, the Italian crew heads to New Hampshire. “We’re here the whole year,” Salvadore explains.

Chuck Sweeny: 8:57 p.m.: Almost over

The 87th Precinct Democratic caucus in Des Moines is winding down. The second round of voting ends at 9:10. Obama leaders are worried because two of their backers had to leave at 8:50. “Can’t count ‘em if they don’t stay,” Max the caucus leader says, shrugging.

Meanwhile, Obama’s people are working hard to get Edwards supporters to cross the hall. When an Obama woman runs into flak from an Edwards man who says Obama missed a key vote in the Senate on terrorism. The Obama woman says, “Well, at least we can agree that we’re not voting for Hillary.” Edwards fans nod. “Not Hillary,” one says.

For the final count to determine how many delegates get split where, “We will have a member of each camp go with Max and count each group with witnesses of each candidate there, says Scott Falb, a caucus leader.

Earlier, Max ruled that Biden, Dodd and Richardson are not viable. Their supporters had tried to form an uncommitted slate, but that wasn’t viable either. Remember, for the purposes of this caucus, viability, or 15 percent of the 254 people registered here, is 38.

Chuck Sweeny: 8:11 p.m.: Clock is ticking …

Jessie Stefanski is still undecided, and Max has announced that there’s seven minutes remaining in the first 30-minute session.

Wtih five minutes left, Stefanski still hadn’t made up her mind … “I don’t know yet,” she said.

A preliminary count shows that Hillary has 80 supporters here; Obama has in the mid-70s, they’re not quite sure. But that’s not final. What’s happening is that “persuaders” for the candidates are trying to pick off each other’s supporters.

The Obama pitch was better than Hillary’s, and Jessie has decided to caucus for the O.

“Sarah got me,” she said, refering to Obama campaigner Sarah Sheffer. “I like his stand against the war and he’s good on the environment,” Jessie says.

This is Stefanski’s first caucus. She’s 23. “I guess it isn’t the most efficient way to do it, but you do learn about the candidates,” she says.

Aaron Chambers: 8:08 p.m.: More on stump speeches

The Republicans have voted, all depositing their picks in one of two large wooden boxes placed on the gym floor, but they haven’t yet counted the votes. First, they’re going to pick party delegates.

Now for the Mitt Romney representative. She told the crowd her candidate would “absolutely honor the office of president.” She also said he would “defend the unborn” (despite his pro-choice past).

She also hit on illegal immigration, a GOP flashpoint, by saying he would “secure our borders.”

“If we do not have that in Washington, as we have not in the last dozen years, we will lose our nation,” she said.

Orson Swindle, a friend of John McCain, won a round of applause when he stepped before the crowd.

Mike Huckabee’s representative said Huckabee is just like the rest of them.

“I would urge everyone in this room to support someone who is like us,” he said in his closing remark.

Chuck Sweeny: 7:49 p.m.: More pitches

More highlights from the two-minute speeches:

Next up it’s Robert Jackson for Hillary Clinton.

“The thing I like about Hillary, you see Hillary stepping into the TV screen saying, here is my answer, here’s how I’m going to take care of health care, end the war … There’s a plan. …. We’ll make a mistake if we don’t put here in the spot and let her take off.”

Deborah speaks for Joe Biden.

“I had a speech written here, I’m going to throw it out and ask each one of you, if you have a service man or woman in Iraq, hold up your hand or stand up. Joe Biden voted to make sure those men and women in Iraq have armored equipment to keep them from being blown up. He is so honest and straightforward you never doubt where he stands.”

Tony Hanson says, “I’m not a chairman, I just showed up to step up for Bill Richardson. As governor, he’s stepped up. He had an answer for health care in his state. He has an immigration answer. He can stand up to the Republicans.”

Aaron Chambers: 7:48 p.m.: Time to vote

Precinct 314 Republicans are finally preparing to vote.

Over the last 20 minutes, one by one, representatives for each of the GOP candidates stood on the empty gym floor before the crowd and made the case for their candidates.

A woman supporting Rudy Giuliani kicked her remarks off on a defensive note, joking about whether she should be here in front of Republicans at all.

As you may know, Giuliani isn’t exactly a strident conservative. Moreover, he all but forfeited Iowa in his race for the nomination.

“Somebody asked me whether I’m in the right place,” she said. “I’m in the right place.”

The Giuliani lady continued to say that her candidate is “frank” and has “character.”

“He is a link between the parties,” she said. “He can bring the parties together in Washington.”

Chuck Sweeny: 7:24 p.m.: Making the pitch

Each caucus is allowed to make a two-minute presentation on behalf of its candidate. Here are some highlights:

Scott Falve is the spokesman for John Edwards at the 87th precinct caucus. He says the nation has lost respect of former allies and needs to win it back.

“I was in Italy, and those people who loved us for years said, ‘What are you doing over there, electing George Bush?’ … Vote for John Edwards; he’s the only person who’s going to stop the corporations from taking us.”

Now it’s time for an Obama supporter.

“I’m Joe, a recovering Republican. I voted for George Bush. I was young and dumb. This year I had to get involved and decided to pick up the cause of the Democratic Party’s values. Fighting for the sick, the elderly, the poor, the people that don’t have a voice. I’m supporting Senator Barack Obama because he supports those values.”

John Feller, a supporter of Sen. Chris Dodd, leads the pledge of allegiance, which counts against his two minutes.

“This is what I consider Senator Dodd to be all about. He carries the U.S. constitution in his pocket. This tells me he’s of the people, by the people and for the people. He’s been elected for 37 years, he must be doing something right. He is for the people. I listened to Senator Dodd and I got a lump in my throat because he tells the truth.”

Aaron Chambers: 7:18 p.m.: Almost there

It’s nearly 7:30 p.m. and the Republicans of precinct 314 are finally settling down in the gym and preparing to vote.

I’d say there are 300 to 400 people in here, most of them seated among the bleachers.

Chuck Sweeny: 7:17 p.m.: Kicking off the caucus

Caucus chairman Max Knauer is giving a little speech to start things off. He reads off the names of the individual leaders of each candidate’s caucus.

Committee leaders count the people in the room. It’s gone deadly silent as this important process is carried out.

One thing I notice as I look around the room: Hillary’ backers are really old; Obama backers are really young. Edwards fans are somewhere in the middle. I know this is a wild overgeneralization, but hey, this is a blog.

There are 254 people registered to caucus here — that compares with 146 who came to the 2004 Democratic caucus in the 87th precinct.

Max calculates the 15 percent viability figure. ”It’ll be 38 for viability.”

Aaron Chambers: 6:40 p.m.: Finally a madhouse

It’s 15 minutes to showtime, and this place is finally, absolutely packed.

It’s so packed that the crowd has pushed me against a wall – next to Ron Paul’s deputy campaign manager.

At least a couple hundred Republicans are here, but the Democrats outnumber them by at least five to one.

Chuck Sweeny: 6:37 p.m.: It’s a sardine can

The room is jammed. There’s some confusion, too, as first-time caucus goers — they’re Obama’s forces and young — deal with the process of same-day voter registration.

Some of the people have come to the caucus room and sat down without registering at the front of the room. Max Knauer, caucus chairman, grabs the microphone and says, “You won’t be allowed to caucus unless you register in front. Please register now.”

Minutes later, Knauer says, “We’re going to try to complete registration as soon as possible. People have to be in line to register by 7 o’clock. I’ve had the pleasure and I feel the terrific responsibility, which I take very seriously, of chairing the precinct 87 caucus. I hereby call this caucus to order, and we’re going to go through the agenda as posted. If I may …. Call to order, 6:30 or as soon as possible.”

Aaron Chambers: 6:19 p.m.: Dems on fire?

Wow.

I’m amazed by the Democrat turnout in a supposed GOP stronghold.

Here’s a prediction: I’m betting we learn tomorrow that Democrats in 2008 were supremely organized.

Chuck Sweeny: 6:15 p.m.: Free food

Each candidate has a table in the hallway with a promoter for that candidate.

The Obama folks also have some potato chips and corn curls. The Hillary people have all sorts of stuff. Looks like potato salad, but I’m not close enough to see what with all the people crowding in.

There are mountains of sandwiches and cookies. Is this legal?

Caucus leader Max Knaeur, himself an Obama backer, has decided that the food is OK, as long as there’s no alcohol.

Aaron Chambers: 6:05 p.m.: Where are the Republicans?

That’s the question just posed by a man helping direct people at the door.

Though more than 100 Dems are in line for their caucuses, not a single Republican has showed.

Minutes later, a couple Fred Thompson supporters, bearing his signs, showed up in the school.

Only about a dozen Republican voters have showed, and they’re totally perplexed about what’s happening here.

Other than the Thompson duo, and now a single Huckabee sign holder, there are no Republicans here.

One voter, reflecting on his party, just told me, “It’s pretty sad.”

Chuck Sweeny: 5:53 p.m.: They’re streaming in fast!

It’s more than an hour until caucus time at 7, and people are already lining up to register for the 87th precinct Democratic caucus. Maybe the party leaders are right in their prediction of 200 caucus-goers here at the Italian American Society.

The voters here tend to be older, and Max Knauer, the caucus chairman, says this is among the most stable neighborhoods in Des Moines, where people commonly have lived in the same houses for 30 years, maybe more. So far, I don’t see many young folks coming in. There’s still an hour until they lock the doors at 7.

Aaron Chambers: 5:29 p.m.: Calm before the GOP storm

At Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in West Des Moines, there is little sign of the GOP masses expected to convene here by 7 p.m.

Outside the school’s main doors, a man in an “NYC” cap is placing “Hillary” signs in the grass.

In the gym where precinct 314 will meet, a girl’s basketball practice is just wrapping up. The male coach has turned from shouting to repeatedly blowing his whistle.

Precinct 315 will meet in the “vocal music” room, which is empty and locked.

Officials expect upward of 900 people - mostly Republicans, but Democrats, too - to begin arriving here at 6 p.m.

As I circled the school’s rotunda, surveying the scene as Hillary backers taped off a section of chairs and tables, a student walking out appeared puzzled by my presence.

“The caucuses,” another student remarked to her.

“Oh, the caucuses,” she replied. “That’s where you go to vote.”

 

Kwame Smith, 34, hasn’t been to a caucus since 1984, when he attended one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with his dad, who was supporting the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

 

“I haven’t been back since then, until today,” says Smith, a counselor for the Iowa Department of Corrections. “I just like Barack Obama’s message of hope. He’s not for refighting all the old battles of the 1990s but wants to take the country forward. I like that a lot,” Smith says. “I also like the fact that he has a global perspective different from the other candidates. He grew up partly in another country, (Indonesia).” And Smith likes the fact that Obama was against the Iraq war from the start.

 

Carolyn McCune is self-employed. She’s making signs for Hillary with black-ink markers. They’re not turning out very well, she laments. But she’ll put them up, anyway, in the Clinton corner.

 

“I feel Hillary is more capable than anyone else to be president of the United States,” McCune says. “She’s got the knowledge to run the country and the experience required.”

 

Max Knauer, the caucusmaster for the 87th Precinct Democrats, begins to explain how tonight’s caucus will work.

 

“We’ll take assignments for speaking on behalf of each candidate. We’ll limit speeches to two minutes, more or less. If all candidates are viable after the first tally, (meaning they each get 15 percent or more of the caucus-goers) we’re done in 30 minutes. If there are nonviable candidates, we’ll then start the bargaining.” That means that representatives of the viable candidates court the supporters of the nonviable candidates. That will last another 30 minutes, then the second and final tally will be taken. Capiche?

 

 

It’s less than three hours before Iowans begin voting for their presidential nominees. Let’s take a quick look at the leading GOP candidates:

 

Mike Huckabee: A Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor whose jump to the front of the GOP pack was aided in no small part by one fist-wielding Chuck Norris

 

Mitt Romney: A former Massachusetts governor (can you say “liberal”?) who is working furiously to reinvent himself as a conservative

 

John McCain: A U.S. senator from Arizona and former POW who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2000, losing the nomination to George W. Bush

 

Fred Thompson: An actor on “Law and Order” and former U.S. senator from Tennessee whose campaign has failed to gain traction in recent months after a burst of initial stardom.

 

Ron Paul: A Texas congressman whose anti-government message has resonated surprisingly well with younger, activist-minded voters.

 

Rudy Giuliani: The former New York mayor who became a national darling thanks to his handling of post-9/11 fallout, and who rode that affection into this presidential race.

 

 

It’s 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, caucus day in Iowa. It’s clear, with the temperature, I estimate, about 18 degrees. One thing I noticed was something I did not see — candidate signs. The only one I saw along Interstate 80 from Davenport to Des Moines was for libertarian Republican Ron Paul. Hillary Clinton’s people are playing down Iowa’s importance, saying it’s just the beginning of the season, she doesn’t have to win here and it’s a marathon, not a sprint, to the Democratic nomination. Downplaying expectations is smart, because if you win, you’ve done better than you told people you would, and if you don’t, you’re just meeting the low expectations you set for yourself. Make sense? In political land, it does.

 

Obama is staging a last-minute round of rallies in the state, shouting, “Fired up? Ready to go?” to his crowds, who answer the questions with “Fired up! Ready to go.”

 

John Edwards is counting on his substantial network of friends and contacts around the state, dating from his strong, second-place finish here in 2004.