Major networks have called the race for Hillary.  Despite being in the media center, we don't have TV!  So we're getting email results. 

The state party results as of 1:21pm Pacific (with 79% reporting):

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YDA President David Hardt, Democratic National Committeewoman Crystal Strait, Southwest Regional Director Kevin Bondelli and I are all in Las Vegas for Caucus Day.  Lots of YDs are also working directly for candidates out here.  And we're joined by Young Voter PAC and Democrats Work too.

David and I are in the media center, where reporters, bloggers, and campaigns have set up shop.  The state party is also here running the numbers (networks are about 15 minutes behind the numbers we see, so I'll try to post often) and operating a hotline for caucus sites. 

As of 12:56pm Pacific:

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Last night I was live blogging from the Iowa caucus in Grinnell.

Below is a video we threw together and below that, some photos we took.

Special thanks to Lauren Wolfe of CDA, Amber Goodwin of TYD, and Paul Tran of TYD for getting photos, video, and making observations. Last night really was one of the most amazing experiences of my life … not sure if these videos and photos will help show how cool it was.

If you liked this video — a longer 22 minute version can be found by clicking here.

Here are some photos as well … enjoy this too!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

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What a night for young voters!

Turnout among 18-29 year old caucus-goers rose to 13%, up from 4% in 2004, and young voters comprised an astonishing 22% of all caucus-goers. Thank you CIRCLE for comprising these important stats.

The same pundits, journalists, and other nay-sayers who said young people wouldn't turn out to caucus are now crediting young people with Obama's win. Even the Des Moines Register's David Yepsen, Chief Nay-Sayer, gives us an aside.

Here are some talking points to help you spread the gospel:

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Strength of Youth Turnout at Caucus Propels Democratic Candidates

Washington, DC – Young voters proved to be the decisive demographic in tonight’s Iowa caucuses, turning out in record numbers and demonstrating overwhelming enthusiasm for Democratic candidates.

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Hey everyone! I am going to be live blogging from the Iowa Caucuses.

Right now I am in Grinnell, IA home of Grinnell College in the caucus which interestingly has the single largest number of delegates awarded in the entire state of Iowa.

Amber Goodwin and Paul Tran (from Texas Young Democrats) are with me and we are going to try to get some video and photos, in addition to general comments on how we view things.

6:29pm: We are in a multi-purpose room that almost looks like a middle school gym/auditorium that is on campus. A huge portion of the young people here are students, but it would be wrong to say (at this point) that I know they are a majority. The buzz in the room is definately for Obama – but less so than it was back in the PEC where the Grinnell students are sleeping tonight.

6:33pm: The temporary chair of the caucus has called it to order. The microphone isn't working so he has to use his "natural voice".

6:35pm: "I now am going to pass around an envelope so you can donate to the Iowa Democratic Party."

FOR THE REST, CLICK READ MORE BELOW

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I am in Grinnell, Iowa at Grinnell College right now. The dorms aren't yet open so nearly 150 young democrats are checking in to the PEC (it is a gym) to sleep here tonight so they can caucus.

I took this video — check it out.

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Oh, oh, Iowa.  (That Dar Williams song has been doing through my head since I got here on Monday.)

Tony Cani and I have been chillin' (literally — it's been in the single digits) in Iowa since Monday, December 31st, ringing in the New Year in that cosmopolitan capitol, Des Moines.  With YDA staying neutral in the primary, our role is to help encourage young people to get out and caucus and help spin the media about the youth vote.  A few weeks ago, YDA and the College & Young Democrats of Iowa created a one-stop shop website, www.YouCanCaucus,com, for all of the information young people need to caucus tonight.

It's pretty exciting here on the ground, although surprisingly more tame than 2004.  With all of the candidates having so many more field offices throughout the state, there's less focus on Des Moines.  Candidates also seem to be doing smaller events (I remember going to a 5,000+ person rally the night before the caucus in 2004; no one seems to be doing that).  I am sure the campaign's staffers are very grateful for this, as they can focus on GOTC (gold star to people who figure that one out) instead of hard counts for rallies.  Tony traveled the state yesterday, going to a bunch of candidate appearances — check out the YDA blog a little later on for his wrap-up. 

So, predications…

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As the Iowa Caucus rapidly approaches, the College & Young Democrats of Iowa and the Young Democrats of America are engaged in an active effort to educate the students of Iowa about their eligibility to participate in the Iowa caucuses.

The Young Democrats  have run ads in the Des Moines Register and on Facebook designed to reach college students confused by misinformation about who can participate in the Iowa caucuses.  They also launched a one-stop online resource, www.YouCanCaucus.com, with information about caucus eligibility and procedures, where to find their caucus location, and other important information. 

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