The Iowa countdown in pictures
by WonkoKevin
I can’t believe today has finally arrived! I’ve been blogging daily about the campaign for five months and obsessing about it much longer. Just as this represents a change point for the remaining candidates, so too it is a change point for bloggers, news writers, and political junkies. No more conjecture–now we will have results. The fact that both races are basically toss-ups is a realization of the wish WonkoSteve and I had back last February when we started working on Wonkosphere.
I’ll present the latest Wonkosphere data in the next post, and see if there are any tea leaves that might gives us a hint as to what might happen today. First I wanted to share some of the wonderful photography happening out on the campaign trail in Iowa. Go below the fold for more.
First off, it’s cold in Iowa, but not outrageously so, and there are no major storms predicted, so turnout should be good.
(Image by Karl Frankowski, some rights reserved)
(Image by P. Markham, some rights reserved)
Fred Thompson has kind of made Iowa his last stand. I am not completely convinced he doesn’t hope it literally is his last. Nevertheless, Fred is pounding the pavement. Nothing like a coffee to keep you warm outside.
(Image by Fred Thompson, some rights reserved)
Of course, touring Iowa means bus rides. Here’s Fred and his son Dan and granddaughter Lindsey.
(Image by Fred Thompson, some rights reserved)
The candidates’ core supporters go all out for their candidates. Here are some Fredheads working the phones to get the vote out.
(Image by Fred Thompson, some rights reserved)
On the Democratic side, Barack Obama continues to draw huge crowds, and his campaign staff are busy organizing turnout.
(Image by Michael Merideth, some rights reserved)
(Image by Trei Brundrett, some rights reserved)
Meanwhile, John Edwards plays out the classic populist theme. Will it work?
(In Mason City, image by John Edwards 2008, some rights reserved)
Edwards and Obama and the rest of the country wonder, will the youth come out to vote this time?
(Image by John Edwards 2008, some rights reserved)
One way to get people organized is through house parties. Hundreds or even thousands of these will be happening today and tonight.
(Image by Trei Brundrett, some rights reserved)
The mainstream media has to wait and see before they can decide who will go on next week’s cover.
(Image by METAL-ARMZ, some rights reserved)
Finally, there’s no time like the present for some Mike Licht humor…
(Images by Mike Licht, some rights reserved)
Enjoy the race!
