I take it back: Cruz is making Santorum sound like a Secular Humanist. I hope that Trump and Cruz battle it out in the next few months and damage the party beyond all electability.
Iowa needs to be "first in the nation" in presidential elections because, really, what else do they have? This is literally the only thing about Iowa that makes the state significant.
long-time reader dear, Of all the midwestern states, Iowa is the only one (besides Minnesota) that is not either chronically messed up (Nebraska, Kansas, The Dakotas, Indiana, Michigan) or suffering under some clown like Walker (Wisconsin) or Rauner (Illinois).
Granted, in recent years Iowa has brought us people like Steve King, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst (not to mention Terry Brandstedt, who was governor when I was in college in the 80's for christ's sake) , but it also has a stronger progressive movement than most of it's neighbors. It's probably just as well that it represent "the Heartland".
As for the caucus process, it's an amazing thing to take part in. It may not be the best bell weather for the nation - on the other hand, the Democratic caucus results are fascinating this year.
What is troubling is that more Republicans showed up for the Caucuses than Democrats. Not by much, but still.....
Catalina dear, the Republicans probably showed up for a caucus shitfight because they have so many candidates running. Republicans don't think or discuss; they fight. The fact that Cruz and Trump came to the top of the cesspool reflects that.
Iowa I think still has the highest literacy rate. And you're right about Wisconsin, Catalina. I moved back to my home state recently after being gone for 20 years, and it's gone from being liberal and generous and a wonderful place to raise a family to, I don't know, a mean spirited gun-totin' hellhole. The homeless rate is 1000X greater, for example. Infant mortality and childhood asthma are much higher. And geez, there are no jobs to be had anywhere, unless you're White, of course. And everyone seems a lot grumpier, too, which is something new.
Another thing, does anyone else think Trump actually did win, but they're not telling us the truth?
Although I hope NO republicans go on shooting sprees (or democrats... or ANYONE for that matter).... I'd say Ben Carson is the most likely. It's always the quiet, soft-spoken ones.
Actually, if I had to choose between Trump and Cruz*, I'd pick Trump. Trump's God is money, and he's just be an asshole about it. Cruz' God is God, and he's a little crazy about it - and that Dad of his would probably move in with him. I don't relish the thought of listening to the Olde Timey Gospel Hour every time that fool opens his mouth for four years.
*Any scenario making me choose between Trump and Cruz would involve a loaded pistol to the head, and some sort of Clockwork Orange type torture device. Republicans are horrible people.
@21: I think one thing people are missing about Trump, is that for all his myriad flaws, Trump seems content to just let people do more or less what they want. You know Trump is not going to shut down abortion clinics or take away access to birth control because Jesus told him to, and you know Trump is not going to do what some other rich guys tells him to do because he is writing a check.
At least you know he is not beholden to a magic sky daddy or any special interest groups. There is something to be said about someone who is actually their own person and has their own beliefs when it comes to American politics. It is not like he is any more racist or nuts than any of the other front-running GOP candidates
Not that the guy is not a weapons grade asshole and charlatan, mind you.
Between trump and cruz, it would be trump hands down. Trump is pure genius showman. I don't believe a word he says about anything. I don't thin he'd be changing our status quo that much. Cruz? Cruz has plans...
Hillary's campaign has been declaring victory and paying off the media to do it on her behalf since this whole thing started. I'd be willing to vote for her over pretty much anyone the GOP will let get in front of a camera (I'd be willing to vote for a blind, three-legged dog over anyone the GOP will let get in front of a camera), but she's been running this with the same gusto as the GOP even if the message is less inflammatory.
@28: He cares way too much about "winning" and being seen as top dog to be a good president. We already had a (fake-ass Massachusetts pretty boy) cowboy as a president not too long ago, and look how that turned out. Not to mention, Trump has to be especially scary if you are Hispanic or Muslim.
Although, I do think he is just being over the top and handing out a lot of red meat with those statements. I honestly doubt he gives a shit about ethnicity and religion.
Trump does not play well with others because he has never really had to, but that is not an option as POTUS. He can't just fire or degrade people that disagree with him if he wins the office.
One of the most important figures on the Democratic side isn’t being widely reported: Bernie promises a revolution by being able to turn out millions more voters than ever in the past. The Dem attendance figure this year in Iowa was 171,000. In 2008, it was about 227,000. The revolution isn’t materializing.
@24- "You know Trump is not going to shut down abortion clinics or take away access to birth control because Jesus told him to..."
No, he'll do it for better ratings. Or on a whim. Or because someone paid him to, not to his campaign, but in the form of a giant contract for Trump Industries. He is, as you say, a charlatan and an asshole and he does not give a shit about anyone.
Iowa apportions delegates according to how many Dems voted in the last election in that precinct. That means if you got the majority of attendees in a heavily Republican precinct you got 'votes' but not many delegates from it. Clinton is claiming victory based on the delegate count not the vote totals. She may be right the pros know this crap better than I do & Sanders is not pushing back.
Actually, it's more New England-y. I can't speak for the Republicans of course, but at the Democratic caucus, you meet in a classroom or similar, each Candidate has someone speak for them, and you vote, with the idea of coming to a consensus. It's probably outdated, but it's sort of cool. Much better than watching a bunch of tv commercials.
And may I just murmur quietly that Bernie would have walked away with this if the young people had bothered to vote. Democratic youth votes were lower than they were for Obama.
It's rather "interesting" how Dan Savage and others used to say "i like Sanders but he can't win" but when Sanders shows that he can win as he just did, somehow we only hear crickets and there is no evident course correction. It's as if Dan Savage actually prefers Clinton but doesn't dare telling us about it.
Granted, in recent years Iowa has brought us people like Steve King, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst (not to mention Terry Brandstedt, who was governor when I was in college in the 80's for christ's sake) , but it also has a stronger progressive movement than most of it's neighbors. It's probably just as well that it represent "the Heartland".
As for the caucus process, it's an amazing thing to take part in. It may not be the best bell weather for the nation - on the other hand, the Democratic caucus results are fascinating this year.
What is troubling is that more Republicans showed up for the Caucuses than Democrats. Not by much, but still.....
Another thing, does anyone else think Trump actually did win, but they're not telling us the truth?
I say Cruz--he's too uptight and is the most likely to snap.
*Any scenario making me choose between Trump and Cruz would involve a loaded pistol to the head, and some sort of Clockwork Orange type torture device. Republicans are horrible people.
Choosing Trump would be like choosing Silvio Berlusconi.
Choosing Cruz would be like choosing Kim Jong-un.
Pick your prison.
At least you know he is not beholden to a magic sky daddy or any special interest groups. There is something to be said about someone who is actually their own person and has their own beliefs when it comes to American politics. It is not like he is any more racist or nuts than any of the other front-running GOP candidates
Not that the guy is not a weapons grade asshole and charlatan, mind you.
did trump "pay off the media" as well?
Although, I do think he is just being over the top and handing out a lot of red meat with those statements. I honestly doubt he gives a shit about ethnicity and religion.
Trump does not play well with others because he has never really had to, but that is not an option as POTUS. He can't just fire or degrade people that disagree with him if he wins the office.
Well said.
No, he'll do it for better ratings. Or on a whim. Or because someone paid him to, not to his campaign, but in the form of a giant contract for Trump Industries. He is, as you say, a charlatan and an asshole and he does not give a shit about anyone.
And may I just murmur quietly that Bernie would have walked away with this if the young people had bothered to vote. Democratic youth votes were lower than they were for Obama.