Things are strange in Iowa. We've waited hours for the results of the Iowa Caucuses but still, nothing. The Iowa Democratic Party is doing a "quality control" check on the results just as a precaution. Part of the issue is the state party is relying on a newly-developed app to transmit results, despite security concerns. Their backup plan was to have precincts – all 1,679 of them – call in their results, which was the old way of doing things. And guess where we're at? You got it. They're calling them in. One. By. One.
Even though have absolutely zero confirmed results, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is taking a victory lap. Apparently no reported results somehow means he came out victorious.
"What a night, because tonight an improbable hope became an undeniable reality," Buttigieg told supporters. "So, we don't know all the results but we know by the time it's all said and done, Iowa you have shocked the nation because, by all indications, we are going onto New Hampshire victorious!"
Pete Buttigieg speaks amid the delay in Iowa: "We don't know all the results. But we know by the time it's all said and done, Iowa, you have shocked the nation." #cnnelection https://t.co/TGvpHlC55k pic.twitter.com/ww4szTkHii
— CNN (@CNN) February 4, 2020
Apparently "all indications" means their internal polling (and we all know how skewed those can be.)
Pete Buttigieg campaign source sent out their internal numbers. They say 77% of their precinct captains have reported and they are confident: “Pete is going to New Hampshire victorious.” pic.twitter.com/tNxjyh1ogQ
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) February 4, 2020
Buttigieg and his team feel so confident in their polling that they're already fundraising off the "results."
We're on our way to New Hampshire, on to the nomination, and on to chart a bold new course for our country. But only if you're with me.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 4, 2020
If you can, please chip in: https://t.co/FkVn86Wbdu pic.twitter.com/RCHF3IbrxO
Even members of the Democratic media complex are saying this is shady
Pete Buttigieg managed to spike the most important poll which showed him in third the day before the caucus. He seems to have some ties to the company that developed the App that is supposed to count the vote totals. He is now declaring victory before ANY results are reported.
— Nando (@nandorvila) February 4, 2020
Not great optics here, folks:
— Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) February 4, 2020
- Dems paid company literally called Shadow to create caucus app
- Buttigieg campaign also paid Shadow, FEC records show
- Caucus app fails
- Buttigieg declares himself Iowa winner with no results
I want to clarify this tweet: I am NOT suggesting impropriety. In fact, my money's on human error and incompetence.
— Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) February 4, 2020
But if I were the Buttigieg campaign, I would have waited for the results.
Three different sources say a firm called "Shadow" developed the Iowa Dem caucus app. They haven't responded to comment, neither has Iowa Dem Party. The firm was paid by both Nevada & Iowa Democratic Party, disclosures show. Also by Mayor Pete's campaign.
— Lee Fang (@lhfang) February 4, 2020
And one progressive activist said what the rest of us are thinking:
Pete Buttigieg is claiming victory with literally 0% of the vote in, trying to fix the Iowa Caucus like it was bread prices.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 4, 2020
Things are bound to take an interesting turn once the official results are released. Let's see if Buttigieg's internal polling is as accurate as he lets on.