Yepsen: 2012 caucuses? Iowa had better get to work

[progressoid]

Last week, former President Bill Clinton said the country ought to do away with caucuses and just have primaries instead. That view is understandable. His wife is losing caucuses and does better in primaries. She finished third in Iowa. (People who lose at a game often want to change the rules, even when they knew what those rules were before they entered.)

And the Republican presidential nominee is John McCain. He finished fourth in the state. McCain is headed to New Hampshire soon to thank voters there for his victory in the primary. We don't see any Iowa trips on his schedule.

...

In short, it's time for Iowa's political leaders, who enjoyed the limelight of being first in 2008, to roust themselves.

Some leaders are novices at this fight. For example, the two state party chairs, Republican Stew Iverson and Democrat Scott Brennan, have never been through the rules-committee battles to keep Iowa first. Neither have their staffers.

What's to be done? First, it's important for Iowans to focus on this question as a real, immediate issue. For example, it's not hard to see that part of the "deal" that satisfies Florida and Michigan Democrats in their dispute with the national party is a promise that Iowa won't be first again in 2012. In return for a peace treaty with Michigan and Florida, you can bet Hillary Clinton - and perhaps national chairman Howard Dean (third place in Iowa in 2004) - would trade Iowa's caucuses away in a heartbeat.

...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/OPINION01/803090314/-1/LIFE04



Hang on it's going to be a bumpy flight!

[Debi]

1. I just want Iowa DUers to note that DEBI did not start this thread!

But I gotta tell you, Progressoid, that I am very worried about Iowa's position (and the Iowa Caucuses) if Hillary Clinton is our nominee.

Only one of the remaining Democratic candidates likes caucuses (and probably is pretty happy with Iowa).

JMO.

[progressoid]

2. I'm undecided about the caucus situation.

But I'm very doubtful about staying first. Especially with the Florida/Michigan debacle. That will be used as an excuse to overhaul the system. I'd be shocked if we retain our position. Shocked I tell ya.

[Debi]

3. *gasp* progressiod we must keep a positive attitude about this

I can pretty much guarantee that the next calendar commission will not be looking too kindly on MI/FL's behavior in this last process.

[9119495]

4. But...given this cycle...

I'm starting to think that we may have a shot at staying first. Who really would have wanted to give up their state's say MONTHS before the nomination is set? Maybe we can argue to keep our position on the grounds of our early insignificance. Is it worth a shot?

[progressoid]

5. True. That's the irony for FL/MI.

Had they not tried do and end-run around the system, they could have had the attention that Wyoming got! (not to mention voting delegates, respect, etc).