Last night’s Iowa caucus is best described as a catastrophe. There were problems with the voting app, delays reporting and tabulating results, confusion, drama, conspiracy theories, and premature victory laps by no less than five candidates. As of Tuesday morning, it still isn’t clear which Democratic presidential candidate won.
The Democratic party on the national, state and local levels is busy trying to sort through a mess that has already become a public relations nightmare. There are serious questions to be answered in the days and weeks ahead.
For many, this episode makes the case for paper ballots. Some have called for ending caucuses in favor of primaries and questioned Iowa’s outsized role in the presidential nomination process.
Amused social media users, meanwhile, have memed the debacle, which also inspired #IowaCaucusDisaster to trend on Twitter. There are cats declaring victory, Sesame Street characters, Florida jokes, and more clowns than a casting call for It.
#IowaCaucusDisaster He's on his way to help in Iowa! pic.twitter.com/ba1yBAnj2p
— Willie Gabel (@willieg21) February 4, 2020
Live feed of the #IowaCaucas counting the votes pic.twitter.com/608MxhzJtq
— MIchael K.Roberts (@MichaelRob9K) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/AdamJDrake/status/1224655334654054400?s=20
https://twitter.com/RadioLFH/status/1224691590939250690?s=20
Winner of our #IowaCaucas #StarTrek pic.twitter.com/ZM5rFMh7ZY
— TrekCore.com 🖖 (@TrekCore) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/nocturnalslug/status/1224658863535919104?s=20
Me waking up and checking the result of the #IowaCaucas pic.twitter.com/N5U9jZqTXu
— JNada (@j_nada6) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/cthulhu4america/status/1224713200643559427?s=20
What MEME would accurately depict your view of the DNC imploding? I'm all…. #IowaCaucas pic.twitter.com/xKPKO8l9pY
— HeartlandOkie (@Heartland_Okie) February 4, 2020
I’m feeling petty this morning. #IowaCaucusDisaster pic.twitter.com/bjSDES6tSQ
— Propane Jane™ 🔥💣 (@docrocktex26) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/DillonReedRose/status/1224684784724500480?s=20
South Carolina looking at the #IowaCaucas like…….. pic.twitter.com/fuzIvLwHMg
— Thee Tori Waller, AS👩🏽🎓, BS👩🏽🎓, MS👩🏽🎓 (@toriwaller77) February 4, 2020
#IowaCaucas Iowa has thrown out the app and decided to use Iowa computer technology pic.twitter.com/91ZyvonMPu
— Bobby 🏳️🌈 🇺🇦 (@doubobee55) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/StephenMallov/status/1224676222388576256?s=20
https://twitter.com/Triggenometry/status/1224668755252432896?s=20
Me opening twitter this morning expecting to see #IowaCaucas results: pic.twitter.com/Oj9q8IySdd
— Brooke (@BrookeSiegler) February 4, 2020
The DNC is bringing in someone who they feel is good at predicting outcomes to decide the winner of the Caucus. #IowaCaucas pic.twitter.com/gBSNBWF5oC
— LoneStarLegends (@psorloser) February 4, 2020
The results are set to be released later today (or maybe even tomorrow).
There are some indications that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will be declared the winner. Sanders and the other candidates are already well on their way to New Hampshire, though.
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