Okay so, the big day is finally here. The first public shot in the 2008 general election fired by the caucusers in the most totally undemocratic fashion in the state farm of Iowa. I mean, it's awful isn't it? This caucus idea. Rooms full of people haranguing each other into coming over to their candidate's side. If I had a horse in the race I wouldn't go trackside and shout for it. It's an example of how America can get calcified and petrified and let the same hapless thing happen again and again. The candidates message to Iowa is "Change is Bad." While smiling into the camera and saying, of course, "Change is Good." I adore the perversity of that, and the audience isn't listening anyway - the single trait most valued is not a detailed health plan, nor an winning strategy for Iraq, an energy policy of any description, nor a change is bad/good blandishment. Nah, none of that. Electability. No one wants to be seen backing away from a loser. Electability is the all that ever matters.
Even if Iowa wasn't rotten, can't we just get along and agree that it might be worth trying something other than this Iowa Caucus thing to kick the whole nomination cycle off. My plan is not that original I am sure, but hey, therein lies some beauty at least. I'm advocating an NBA style draft event, with all of the States vying to go first next time and every time. The Primary Draft. As a media event it would be fantastic - CSPAN could offer wall to wall coverage - an all day long national lottery taking place on the eve of the Presidential election. If you'd ended up last in the nation last time - you'd get more ping pong balls in the bucket this time. I am serious - holding the first primary in a more populous state could bring in $1 billion in revenue for the main towns and cities. And that's just for the press corps' bar tab. If I was going, that is. It would be like winning the race to stage the World Cup or the Olympic games. And, I mean, could the Huckster even have run if Iowa hadn't been first? It would help to reconnect politics to the national consciousness again.
More people should be connected to the election of an American president than an American idol.
So let Iowa keep their caucus thing if they want, but let's give it the respect it really deserves. Iowa should get a real primary together too, and take their place in the middle of the pack in my new order, unless the ping pong balls drop in their favor. There would be no Super Tuesday. All the dates would be mapped out more orderly madam ahead of time, with some respite and an opportunity for the candidates to capitalize on their momentum, or regroup following defeat. But not much time. How about a regimen of two states a week for six months? Or follow the opening contest with the next ten states a week later and then the rest all on one day.
Anyway Iowa 08 called by me 8am pst. Dems: Hillary, Edwards, Barrack. Reps: Mitt, Hucks, McCain. Correct me if I am wrong.
