Christopher Hitchens
It is impossible that the Republican Party could be saddled with a clown like Huckabee if there were a serious primary in Iowa, let alone if the process were kicked off in Chicago or Los Angeles or Atlanta. (Remember that not Iowa but its “caucuses” put Pat Robertson ahead of George H.W. Bush in the race for the GOP nomination in 1988.) The process might be a good way for Iowa to pick its party convention delegates, though I frankly doubt even that. It is an absolutely terrible way in which to select candidates for the presidency, and it makes the United States look and feel like a banana republic both at home and overseas.

Shakesville
A tiny rant about the importance of such a small segment of this country. I am sick of phrases like, “WE IOWANS take this very seriously. WE IOWANS are good people,” ad vomitorium… I know plenty a good person who finds it necessary to sculpt and create art but not out of butter. HIGH ART always makes me a subservient follower in a proper medium. I think the actual esteem boosting phrase is “WE IOWANS think we are better than everyone else and our votes are more important than yours.” Speaking as a North Carolinian, I don’t give a rat’s ass how one state in this fair country is so bloody important. Iowa has 2.9 million people out of almost 300 million in the U.S. To place such emphasis on one state is not only ludicrous it is downright belittling to the rest of the country.

Michelle Malkin
So much for kinder, gentler campaigning in Iowa. It’s Macho Man time. Huckabee guru Ed Rollins wants to knock out Mitt Romney’s teeth.

William Kristol
As for Iowa: I’ve been here sixteen hours (half of them asleep), and obviously have only the skimpiest anecdotal evidence and impressions. For what it’s worth, they are: Hillary won’t win, and could run third; Ron Paul will outperform his poll numbers, but McCain should still be able to take third on the GOP side; and that it’s really cold outside.

Blivet 2.0
Today a small fraction of a tiny state’s population will take part in a freakishly bizarre ritual that may determine the future of the United States.

Moderate Voice
The fact is: seldom have politicians and political experts seen a year in which voters seem so incredibly restive — so intent on shopping around in both parties. Consequently, self-assured analysis pieces by mainstream media and “new media” bloggers (including on this site) are sheepishly swept under the rug in the hopes no one will remember as new conventional wisdoms emerge…seemingly by the hour.

Decision ‘08
Hillary stands to be the biggest casualty of the day - although a second (or even a third) wouldn’t end her hopes, anything short of a victory will only serve to weaken the once-strong ‘inevitability’ surrounding her ascension to the throne (a view I shared myself - but though I no longer see her as the inevitable nominee, I still see her as the most likely).

Political Animal
Before the nominating process begins in earnest, Iowa has a certain Midwestern charm, filled with voters who appreciate their role in picking the next president. Like Camelot, it’s something to look forward to. But as we finally come upon Jan. 3, and get a look at what’s involved, it’s pretty obvious that the Iowa caucuses are much too silly.

Comments from Left Field
Since the Iowa caucuses have a reputation of getting crazy, I think Mitt’s got a decent chance of walking away with this by the skin of his teeth. Even if he doesn’t, though, and Huck does walk away with the win, I’m still not ready to say that Huckabee will eventually be the nominee. He’s got Mitt’s ground game to contend with through the next two early states, both of which have failed to catch the wave quite like Iowa, and he’s got McCain’s good press to contend with in New Hampshire, and Thompson’s home court advantage to deal with in South Carolina.

Robert Novak/Timothy P. Carney
Hillary’s organization may be the strongest, but her negatives are the highest. Her hardball tactics against Obama will hurt her. For the Democrats, who have a viability threshold of at least 15% in each precinct, second choice matters, and that is where Hillary’s negatives will hurt her. She doesn’t appear to be the second choice for very many voters at all.

Post a Comment