Isn't Iowa really overrated?

[threemilemind]

I never remember Iowa being the determinator of future presidents in the past. I don't think it matters at all who wins it out of the top 4 candidates there (Kerry, Gephardt, dean, Edwards).

[Supormom]

1. The Iowa primaries

have done more to boost the local economy than Bush tax cuts ever will!

[threemilemind]

2. I this a threadjack?

[Shirley_U_Geste]

3. Your candidate strongly disagrees with you

Judging by all of the Kerry ads I am seeing here in Iowa.

[bigwillq]

4. Don't think it's overrated nor do I think its underrated

It's a good launching point for the candidates. History says not everyone who wins Iowa goes on to win NH or for that matter the nomination. I think Clinton finished 3rd or 4th in Iowa.
But I do think that states voters represent the typical mid-westerner/plains type middle class citizen. It's interesting to get a view of what those people think. There's more of them out there then some people think.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Yes. I think that's part of what Kerry is banking on

He has tailored a message to appeal to the middle of America- not the extremes. Iowa is the perfect place to demonstrate his campaign's potential for universality.

[bigwillq]

6. I agree with Kerry's strat. and if that's the people Kerry

wants to attract then why should they vote for him over Gep.?

[sandnsea]

12. Tax cuts

And a health plan that can pass. Carole King said it yesterday. When Kerry asks Congress to give Americans access to the exact same health plan Congress has, how can any Senator go home and tell his constituents they don't deserve it.

And military experience, foreign policy experience, progressive vision for the economy. Lots of reasons to choose Kerry over Gephardt. And I like Gephardt alot.

[bigwillq]

13. Proved your point. I would vote for Kerry over Gep.

But I'm still leaning towards Dean.

[rucky]

7. Primaries are overrated

<---- Check out my new threads!

[bigwillq]

8. How should we decide a candidate then?

[cthrumatrix]

9. vote for whoever the media dislikes the most

[rucky]

11. or ignores the most

exception: Larouche

[bigwillq]

14. Who would that be among this year's crop?

[sandnsea]

10. I don't know

I worry about a handful of people in either IA or NH having so much power. What I like about Iowa though, is that those folks really go over these candidates with a fine tooth comb. They get to see them up close and personal and they don't let anything slide by them. I think they really put these people to the test and then vote accordingly. I think if all the candidates just sort of come in close together this time, they've all got a ticket out of Iowa. I wouldn't want Edwards to drop out until he gets at least one of the Tuesdays in the south because that's his backyard. I think this will be going on for a while still.

NH, I don't know. Those polls swing so much that I'm beginning to get the impression it's more media driven than Iowa. We'll see I guess.

[bigwillq]

15. They have to start someone. Isn't there a law that says Iowa

has the first caucus. Isn't that why there was an uproar over D.C., having their primary? That's why it was non-binding and no delegates were awarded. Let me know anout this one.Thanks.