Issues Caucus

The Issues Caucuses Concluded in December of 2003. See below for a report on the results!

Why/What is the Iowa Issues Caucus?

A nation, like a person, has a mind--a mind that must be kept informed and alert, that must know itself, that understands the hopes and the needs of its neighbors--all the other nations that live within the narrowing circle of the world. – FDR 1941 Inaugural address

Why/What is an Iowa Issues Caucus?

The first ever, Iowa Issues Caucus on Security to be held across the state through the last week of October will be an amalgam of the official Iowa caucuses, a peace fair, and a town hall meeting. Its purpose is to help empower and give voice to ordinary people on important issues related to security. People will be asked about their concerns, and provided information and time to talk about pressing issues with friends and neighbors and interested organizations well before the January caucuses.

Background:

Iowa holds its presidential caucuses in January of 2004. The Iowa caucus format is unique. However, like primaries all across the U.S., Iowans are asked to choose from among candidates and the candidate’s policy priorities. Unfortunately, public debates and candidate forums too often end up focusing on a small group of issues, some relatively irrelevant to many citizens.

We all realize we are a powerful nation, but current national security policies no longer represent nor serve our common wisdom, values or goals. Through the proposed non-partisan, Issues Caucus mechanism, Iowans are invited to take a more active role in the electoral process discussing issues independent of the candidates. The issues caucus will put complex security issues on the radar screen and help get candidates on track with concerns of the general public.

People attending the Issues Caucus sites will be invited to respond to a ten question Issues Ballot, instead of a candidate ballot. But they will not be asked to just come and fill out this ballot and leave. Rather, they will be encouraged to engage in dialogue with other concerned citizens and become more empowered in the political process. The caucus sites will provide the information and resources needed to better utilize the opportunity provided by the official Iowa state caucuses.

Issues Caucus sites will provide visitors with the Issues Ballot, and ideally, host many groups and informational tables. Each Issues Caucus site will host one or more individuals to help with voter registration forms, provide information on how to participate in the official caucuses, and furnish advice on how to compose and propose resolutions at the caucus. Involved organizations are encouraged to provide participants with sample resolutions for use at the January Caucuses.

Local groups are encouraged to chat with the general public about issues highlighted in the ballot from their perspectives. Organizations like Women for Peace, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the UNA, Sierra Club, I-CAN, representatives from the Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa, the Friends, Veterans, and other groups available in the area are all invited to participate in the Issues Caucuses.

The Ballot:

Everyone who attends an issues caucus will be given a 10 question Issues Ballot to fill out. The issues ballot highlights problems about which we hear people expressing concerns but which seem to receive scant serious attention during candidate forums. The ballot asks people to express their concerns and priorities regarding military spending, domestic spending priorities, environmental and energy policies, and support for international multilateral efforts. A fact sheet will be available for each of the Ballot questions.

The Issues Caucuses are open to everyone. No matter WHICH candidate a person supports, we want people to get out to their caucus on January 19th and make a difference! The Issues Caucus will help make better informed and more effective voters. PSR will analyze and publicize the results after these special caucuses, and most importantly, share them with each of the candidates.

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Anyone who’s been in Iowa long enough has heard about the Iowa Caucuses. Many Iowans have already attended them in the past. But many people new to Iowa as well as established Iowans have not. For those of you who have been intimidated or confused about what they're all about, there is an easy way to find out. Check out this web link put together by the Des Moines Register's political writer David Yepsen:
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/politics/caucus2004/caucusfaq.html
and learn about the Iowa Caucus process.