What Happened in Iowa Stays in Iowa
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Santorum showed spunk, but still has not been vetted by the media, which was caught off-guard by his moment to shine. The candidates have been trading places in the sun for weeks. The media should have been ready. Romney showed he has staying power as he waits for friendlier turf in New Hampshire. Newt Gingrich looked pitiful and had a poor showing, along with the fact that his finances are slimming down. Ron Paul’s base was the most enthusiastic. And Bachmann closed up shop; down for the count. Perry, salving his ego, is holding on by threads, at least for now, and has the money to hang in there. In the end what does it all mean, these few votes that can change by the time of the Republican convention?
It is the best of our electoral system and it is the worst. We watch the man-on-the-street interviews in small Iowa towns and diners. Some residents may seem to reflect values held by many, but others seem out of touch as though they are not so blighted by the economy and are immune to big-city businesses. All seem mightily influenced by their respective churches. But it is interesting.
The media blitzes get us all riled up. Sometimes we cheer what “We, the people,” say and other times we slap our foreheads as in, “I can’t believe he said that!” It’s a slice of Americana. It is like a marriage that stays together for the sake of the kids, only in this instance it is for the sake of American politics. It is our tradition. It’s almost like being with relatives during the holidays because you have to be there, not because you like what they are serving.
The worst of what happened in Iowa were the attack ads, proffered by those who could afford them (Romney) and not done by those running out of money (Gingrich). It is not the Iowa caucuses so much as it is the shaping by the media for the electoral process. It is the best reality show on TV! It does not, however, serve as a direct portend of things to come.
Governor Mike Huckabee’s 2008 victory in Iowa became a mere blip by the time of the GOP convention. Mondale won Iowa in 1984 and did not go far. Even Obama, who had an Iowan triumph in 2008, still had months of turmoil and struggle. And lest we forget, Reverend Pat Robertson had a strong showing in Iowa way back in 1984. It was an empty victory as the process went on.
So truly, very often what happens in Iowa stays in Iowa, but it is an integral part of the American democratic process. As quickly as the polls closed there, the media was already speculating about New Hampshire and the candidates hit the road. Iowa gave us more questions than answers about the candidates, but what great entertainment. Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum emerged in a virtual tie – eight votes separating them. The Donald could not trump the reality show of Iowa.
Someone once told me, “Used-to-be’s don’t count.” I have pondered this often and find that they do count. We are the sum of our life experiences.
I used to be an English and Speech teacher. There will always be a part of me that wants to teach. I used to be an Investigator, first for the government and later in my own private investigations business.
I will always probe beneath the surface of issues and people, looking for the gem-like quality hidden in the text of words and personae. Today I am a writer and all of the used-to-be’s are part of the continuum of this journey.
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Tags: american politics, attack ads, bachmann, city businesses, electoral process, electoral system, foreheads, governor mike huckabee, iowa caucuses, iowa towns, man on the street, mike huckabee, newt gingrich, places in the sun, republican convention, romney, street interviews, trading places
Good article, Cher. It seems really crazy to me the canidadates the Repbublican are offering this election. Santorum seems way out there. Here is a link to a ThinkProgress article on top ten crazy things Santorums has said recently on his stump speeches.
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/01/04/397355/rick-santorums-top-10-most-outrageous-campaign-statements/
Dean, that is a great link. Santorum is so far out of touch with the mainstream that I cannot fathom how he got this far. It looks as though the media is starting to do the vetting process on him now. The man is a warmonger and would be a danger to himself and others, which is grounds for keeping him out of the oval office. The phrase, “Anyone but Mitt,” puts the GOP on treacherous footing.
http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Rick_Santorum_War_+_Peace.htm
Great post, Cher! One note that really struck me was the bit about so many Iowans listening to their church. Though I can’t say that’s true for everyone, I will say that ultra conservatives get their butts out of their chairs and go out and participate. How I wish we could get more moderates to do that.
Thank you, Janene. I see the influence of churches as especially egregious. It’s that whole separation of church and state issue that dates back through the ages, not only to our Constitution, but far back to the early Kings of England, their ties with the Pope, the subsequent entwining of politics, and beyond.
Several years ago we were attending a church we both thought was a good fit for us. It wasn’t for several reasons. It was a mega-church that placed a large value on entertainment which is a subject for another time. The tipping point for me happened when the pastor paraded our State Congressman in front of the congregation, praising him to all, and asking us to pray for him. Of course the very Right congressman was up for re-election. It turned my stomach and I steadfastly refused to return. No pastor, priest or clergyman should exert influence over vulnerable people. As you aptly implied, people should get off their butts and participate.
Cher,
Iowa is a hoax. No genuine election happens in the manner of the Iowa Caucus. While the virtual selection of Santorum as the winner is a travesty, it is no more a travesty than the hyperventilating about this entire circus.
Santorum has two things that arouse and attract many so-called conservatives. The first is veiled bigotry. The second is professed prudery. There is a segment of the population that is so mean spirited and closed minded that they might as well be living in the 19th rather than the 21st century. For this group, blacks are still not fully human and fully American. Santorum seeks to tap into this bigotry by saying he “doesn’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them other people’s money.” There are more whites on welfare than blacks, but Santorum speaks only of the blacks.
He plays the prudery card by speaking about the “dangers of contraception.” He says this allows things to happen that are just plain wrong. Mr. Santorum is entitled to his personal moral views, but he is not entitled to make his sectarian perspective the law of the land.
If Republicans choose Santorum, they will discredit themselves and imperil the Republic.
Larry, I do not see Iowas so much as a hoax as I do an American political tradition. I have no problem with that but the amount of money spent by candidates just to stay in the game is over the top. Sadly, if you are not a person of wealth in this country, you have zero chance of running for the presidency. How many can afford those attack ads, robo-calls, etc.? Iowa serves a sort of winnowing of the field. Just ask Michele Bachmann.
You are spot on about Santorum. How can it be that people outside of Pennsylvania do not know of the harrowing ordeals to which he subjected this state? His time as a front-runner will be sort-lived once he is properly vetted. And he will be.
Rick Santorum is….more than out of touch. He took a spaceship to Planet Crazy and never came back. His outlook on all things gay convinces me that he’s secretly soliciting gay sex on Craigslist. Just sayin’.
The Republicans have really been out of their minds this year. As someone who considered herself moderate, I’d love nothing more than someone to represent more conservative ideas without sounding like (or being) a wingnut.
Jen, “…a spaceship to Planet Crazy” sounds just right regarding Santorum! I keep saying about Republicans, “Is this the best you have?” I actually think Huntsman is fairly moderate and someone worth listening to, but he has no flash! That’s why as a moderate, he does not stand a chance. Too bad, really.