Oh, there’s nothing halfway
About the Iowa way to treat you,
When we treat you
Which we may not do at all.
Were the Iowa caucuses such a big deal four years ago? I don’t seem to remember this much hoopla, except for Dan Savage trying to give Gary Bauer the flu by licking doorknobs (which I’d forgotten until I read this last week).
And we’re so by God stubborn
We could stand touchin’ noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
It seems weird to give so much weight to a process that involves getting together in neighbors’ living rooms and then raising your hands or dividing into groups. What about secret ballots? Apparently, the caucus system works in Iowa, and wouldn’t work in big states, because the caucus attendees are neighbors. But doesn’t anyone worry that people will feel pressured by their neighbors? What if everyone secretly supports, say, Dennis Kucinich, but no hands go up for him, because everyone’s too embarrassed or too afraid of being the subject of neighborhood gossip? I don’t know — it just seems wrong to me.
So, what the heck, you’re welcome,
Glad to have you with us.
Even though we may not ever mention it again.
But soon it’ll be off to New Hampshire, and nobody will think about Iowa for another four years.
You really ought to give Iowa
Hawkeye Iowa
Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Marshalltown,
Mason City, Keokuk, Ames, Clear Lake —
Ought to give Iowa a try!
It’s strange to me that Howard Dean has recently been chastised for remarks made years ago about how insane (my word, not his) the Caucus process is. It’s as if he gave up his right to campaign in a caucus because he is critical of how they are set up.
Um…America…freedom of speech and ideas…anyone…anyone?
Two reasons: Iowans are verrrry protective of their place in the nominating process. (See also New Hampshire.) And, of course, anything to tear down the front runner.
I think Meredith Wilson’s song really sums up the Iowa attitude. No one is going to pull anything on them if they have anything to say about it.
That’s why it would not surprise me at all if someone other than Dean wins Iowa.
Dean has excelled in organization and charismatic rhetoric. I wonder, however, if he has the kind of sustance and experience that would appeal to the Iowa Stubborn mentality.
Iowa is considered one of the best educated states in America. I think they’re proud of that and plan to be pretty stubborn before they attach themselves to any politician!