Hillary preparing to lose Iowa, NH.

[CoffeeCat]

32. I think Bernie will win in Iowa...

I live in Iowa, and there are many reasons why Bernie has a very good chance of beating Hillary.

1.) Voting first in the nation, Iowans take this responsibility very seriously. We go into research mode, attending rallies, reading up on the candidates and trying to speak to these candidates at events and ask them questions. Iowans don't like to be told that a candidate is "inevitable". We like to make up our own minds. Case in point--Barack Obama. He was a long shot when the primary season began with Hillary the frontrunner. Obama won in all 99 counties. We did our due diligence and we decided for ourselves, and we'll do the same again.

2.) Hillary just plain stinks in Iowa. I'm sorry, but it's true. She cannot seem to get it together and connect authentically with people. You can't do well in Iowa if you can't A.) Speak to people honestly and openly; B.) Take questions after the event; C.) Hang around after the event so the voters can dialog with you. This is the formula for winning in Iowa. It doesn't guarantee a win, if your messaging sucks. But you AT LEAST have to make an attempt at personal, meaningful communication. Hillary has given canned, corporate speeches in year's past, in Iowa--and this year, thus far--has only spoken at closed-door, small meetings with party loyalists. She's the most inaccessible candidate ever to campaign for President in our state--Democrat or Republican.

3.) Iowa has a very strong Progressive base. We were the third state to legalize gay marriage. Our Democrats are very liberal. The main urban areas, which contain more than 60 percent of the state's population--are overwhelmingly liberal. Hillary is a centrist and many Democrats are looking for something else. That's why Obama won in 08. Iowa Democrats sought someone to the left of Hillary and they found it in Obama. A large number of Iowa Dems will do the same in the next caucus.

4.) Hillary had problems in Iowa, in 08. Many may not remember--but many Iowa Democrats do. In the heat of the 08 primary season, Hillary was criticized for giving robotic speeches and leaving without taking questions. In response, Hillary organized a "Q&A" to appear more open and conversational. Shortly after this event, a reporter learned that all of the audience questioners were actually Hillary staffers asking scripted questions. Not cool. Also, after she lost the Iowa caucus to Obama--she criticized the caucuses. She accused Iowa Democrats of "bullying" her supporters into voting for Edwards and Obama. She claimed the process was unfair. The Iowa caucuses are democracy in action. Precinct members meet in town halls, libraries and schools--and we divide into candidate camps. Then, we discuss why we're supporting our candidate and we have discussions and debates--so everyone in the room can be informed before they vote. Then we vote by a show of hands. The counts are reported to a central office in front of everyone--for fairness. Hillary's assertions were bad-sport, sour grapes. Remember, she came in third place BEFORE she publicly criticized our state's political process.

5.) Bernie is way ahead of Hillary. Bernie's events have all ready drawn several hundred people in Iowa. He's all ready giving talks, taking question and talking with the people of Iowa. I think Bernie gets Iowa. I think he understands the formula for winning here and I think he will do well here--because he loves speaking to people and doesn't mind questions and challenges from people. He's in his element here. We want to engage with him--and he is willing and enthusiastic about doing so.

It will be an interesting campaign season, for sure.