Iowa Caucuses: an opportunity to showcase the state
Posted on December 28, 2007 in Iowa Caucuses, Politics by DM
Over at my day job, we are taking a lot of calls this week from reporters who are interested in the Iowa Caucuses coming up January 3. In particular, they are interested this week in the “economic impact” of the caucuses. What they are asking is, “How much money comes into Iowa as a result of the caucuses?”
While there’s no arguing that the caucuses fill hotel rooms and that the economic impact is substantial, I think the real value to Iowa comes in being able to showcase the many facets of our state to the nation and world. The Caucuses are a huge opportunity to show that we are not just a proud farm state - we are also a proud urban state facing challenges in education, employment, technology, and a variety of industries from agriculture to finance. And, whether rural or urban, we are educated, informed and conscientious when it comes to helping select a President.
A couple of years ago, Greater Des Moines was included in a list in Forbes magazine of top cities in which to run a business. The article pointed out that the region had over 500,000 residents - a strong workforce. But the photo accompanying the article showed a pastoral farm scene complete with barn and silo. So where were the half-million people of Greater Des Moines? Hiding behind the silo? That’s what happens when we don’t make an effort to get the word out about the true scope of things here in Iowa - we look foolish, because the media (and the people of the world at large) have a distinct pre-conceived (and inaccurate) notion of who we are as a state.
Our caucus cycle is unique: we don’t just show up at the polls and check a box or hang a chad, we gather in living rooms, libraries and school gymnasiums to talk about the candidates and argue their merits - often arguing publicly with our own spouses and neighbors. It’s a rigorous process, and I daresay not every state has the stomach for it. That’s why it fascinates the media.
It seems to me that while we have their attention, we should be doing our best to provide them with the information and send them to the locations around Iowa that accurately portray our strengths and challenges. That may not be a measure of economic impact, but it certainly helps create the right “pre-conceived notion” of Iowa around the world.
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Your point notwithstanding, the caucuses have one drawback, as pointed out in today’s Des Moines Register and online. Those who have to work in public safety jobs (such as emergency room, police, fire) and those Iowans who are serving overseas in the military and otherwise cannot participate in the caucuses as opposed to a primary. For that reason, unless they can come up with a way to make the caucuses accessible to those who cannot make it to the caucuses, the Democrats and Republicans should abandon the caucus process altogether and go to a primary.
With a primary, those who cannot participate can at least cast an absentee ballot. That is not the case with the caucus system as it is set up right now.
The Bluegrass Warriors come from Louisville Kentucky to Iowa to promote the one candidate we feel capable of giving America the leadership it needs. Mike Huckabee. As a group we are traveling through Iowa spending today in Ottumwa, we attended the Speech and we’re traveling to Des Moines tomorrow. Watch for our bus traveling through your town. Check out our journey through youtube videos http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mtndewlover .