Anyone can participate in the caucus as long as he or she will be 18 by Nov. 7, Election Day . The GOP process is a fairly simple affair. And then we'll vote. Using secret ballots, each Republican caucus goer will choose among Texas Gov. George W. Bush, publisher Steve Forbes, commentator Alan Keyes, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Christian activist Gary Bauer and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. The results will be tabulated by appointed tellers and called into state GOP headquarters in Des Moines.
Democrats are chattier, and the rules are a bit more confusing.
Then we have to elect a chairman and a temporary chairman. I have the instructions written down here somewhere. Then the last thing we do is declare for a candidate. Then, assessing the proportion of support for each candidate, the Foresters' caucus will divide their small number of delegates accordingly. Neither Drake, a Bush man, nor the Foresters, Gore supporters, have to remain neutral.