Well, tonight is the NIGHT our nation starts the process of winnowing the candidates to come up with the Democratic and Republican nominees for President. It all starts in Iowa, a state that I have had the privilege to visit during the crazy caucus season, and advocate for Howard Dean back in 2004.
While I appreciate the job that Iowa has done for us in the past 50+ years in starting off our crazy process for picking our Presidential candidates, I have serious concerns about a caucus system that denies many hard-working Iowans the opportunity to make their voice heard. A NY Times story highlights many voters and the reason for their inability to participate, three that I would like to bring to your attention:
One is Captain Jason Huffman of Iowa, who is currently serving with his National Guard unit in Afghanistan, and is precluded from participating because you must show up in person to participate; another is Nick Oakland, a waiter who has served Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, a Democratic contender and Representative Ron Paul, a Republican contender in the restaurant he works at in Des Moines. Nick is a college student paying his way through school, and needs to work for the tip money to do so; and the last one is Carrie Tope, an emergency room worker in Ames, Iowa who cannot find anyone to take her shift.
There oughta be a better way to start the process, rather than be flippant about it, as Iowa Democratic Chairman Scott Brennan appeared to be with this choice quote:
Scott Brennan, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said the party had no responsibility to ensure that voters can caucus. "The campaigns are in charge of generating the turnout," Mr. Brennan said, and the voters who truly care will find their way to their local caucuses.
As for Ms. Tope, the emergency room worker, "there's always the next cycle," Mr. Brennan said.
That being said, there is a group of LSU students that are taking in the caucus festivities under the tutelage of Professor Bob Mann, who used to be the Communications Director for Governor Edwards, as well as Governor Blanco, and Professor Wayne Parent, the author of several informative articles and one book on Louisiana politics, including one of the best books out there - Inside the Carnival.
But the best part of their travels to Iowa is the blog they've set up - Tigers on the Trail. There are posts on the major contenders in both parties - Huckabee, Hillary, Edwards, Romney, Obama, and others. You oughta check it out, as there are some really good pieces there, as well as video of Edwards and Romney.
Oh yeah, Happy New Year y'all!
